bitten twice by Nuisance permie reference...advice please

[Darren_Test]

When I had some mystery figure in the previous place who was badmouthing me, the problem wasn't that I couldn't get good references, I had those. The problem was that anyone who asked this guy about me would get a bad impression. I couldn't find out who it was so I couldn't fix it, and I couldn't leave him off my references because he wasn't on the list anyway.

mine too similar sitn..But I am more or less clear who is troubling me. Biggest issue is by every incident of this sort I am loosing a client as well as an agency...!

[Darren_Test]

Can't believe I'm reading all this stuff about contractors needing refs. I'll never give references, and never needed to. My interview bulltulip is enough. After all, contractors are easy to bin if they're crap.

Only permies need refs (and those are the meaningless HR type with dates only). Must be a sign of the desperate times.

I am not sure you are active in the market now..The role I lost last week, I never had any interview. Since I worked twice for the same end client & many times for their competitors, recruitment team was happy to take me on board just based on the reference from the client. Also it was an urgent role. For my last role as well I never had any interview even over phone, they selected me just based on my CV as I worked for that client too once in the past.

[Darren_Test]

Thanks

Thanks guys..
good to get some valuable feedback from experience guys in this forum.
Thanks.

[HeadOfTesting]

by every incident of this sort I am loosing a client as well as an agency...!

Whilst acknowledging your comments about working in a niche and there being a few key clients, in light of the utterly horrific conditions in the testing market I would be inclined to prioritise the agency relationships over those with these troublesome clients. With that in mind if any agency approaches you about a role at one of the said clients I would suggest that you cite a neutral reason for not pursuing it without looking to appear too fussy given the market conditions. Easier said than done, I know, but that would be my approach.

[Ivor Bigun]

...and never push your permie colleagues to do work as well..??

Absolutely - You get someone else to do it