More fishing - references!

**Mich the Tester** · 2 December 2008, 14:36

Originally posted by freebo View Post

All,
After a long time on the same contract I'm back on the market (and I know, not a great time, but not my choice).

It seems almost like every agent I talk call (or who calls me) wants the name of 2 references, I know that they're trying to generate more leads for themselves but this isn't really a problem as neither of my references are hiring! This has happened a few times and I never hear from them again.

Thing is, do I assume that because of this the role's they're advertising don't exist? Its tricky because you don't want to miss any opportunities.

I had one recently that was definately a wrong 'un "Ohh yeah, put yourself fwd at a higher rate, my client pays well, now tell me the names of all of the other companies you've been put fwd for", needless to say I didn't.

I'm not really expecting to find anything before the New Year, but despite having v good experience and being well flexible on rate, there seems to be very few real contracts to be had ATM.

Its worse out there than I thoght it was!

Just give them a couple of names from the telephone directory. Look under 'sex shops and adult entertainment'.

**sounds** · 2 December 2008, 16:53

A recent conversation with an agent went along these lines:

Agent: Your CV looks great. I'm forwarding to my client.
Me : Thanks. Who is the client?
Agent: Confidential. Will let you know at the interview stage.
Me : Fine. No problem.
Agent: Can you tell me the companies you have forwarded your CV. My client doesn't like to see the same CV from different agencies.
Me : Well, I wish I knew. The other three agencies who put forward my CV won't tell me the client name, just like yourself.

The line went dead the next nanosecond

Originally posted by freebo View Post

All,
After a long time on the same contract I'm back on the market (and I know, not a great time, but not my choice).

It seems almost like every agent I talk call (or who calls me) wants the name of 2 references, I know that they're trying to generate more leads for themselves but this isn't really a problem as neither of my references are hiring! This has happened a few times and I never hear from them again.

Thing is, do I assume that because of this the role's they're advertising don't exist? Its tricky because you don't want to miss any opportunities.

I had one recently that was definately a wrong 'un "Ohh yeah, put yourself fwd at a higher rate, my client pays well, now tell me the names of all of the other companies you've been put fwd for", needless to say I didn't.

I'm not really expecting to find anything before the New Year, but despite having v good experience and being well flexible on rate, there seems to be very few real contracts to be had ATM.

Its worse out there than I thoght it was!

**Turion** · 2 December 2008, 17:05

Agents have a suckers list of contractors who give references for nothing. Often a bored agent will call around some, just to hear a desperate contractor singing like a canary, in order to be put forward for a job that exists only as a figment of the warped agents imagination

**Epiphone** · 3 December 2008, 13:43

Originally posted by sounds View Post

A recent conversation with an agent went along these lines:

Agent: Your CV looks great. I'm forwarding to my client.
Me : Thanks. Who is the client?
Agent: Confidential. Will let you know at the interview stage.
Me : Fine. No problem.
Agent: Can you tell me the companies you have forwarded your CV. My client doesn't like to see the same CV from different agencies.
Me : Well, I wish I knew. The other three agencies who put forward my CV won't tell me the client name, just like yourself.

The line went dead the next nanosecond

Brilliant!

More fishing - references!