bitten twice by Nuisance permie reference...advice please

[zara_backdog]

Get someone to phone him pretending to be an Agent or direct client and ask him for a reference - then you know what he is saying about you.

[Darren_Test]

Get someone to phone him pretending to be an Agent or direct client and ask him for a reference - then you know what he is saying about you.

Looks like this is a good suggestion....

[HeadOfTesting]

Looks like this is a good suggestion....

I agree - but only as a means to resolve it in your own mind - no way should you be threatening any form of action as some have suggested above.

[Tingles]

Wasn't I your Manager and I've recently left to become a contractor myself....

"XXXXX XXXXX is one of those lucky finds in a whirl-wind industry, friendly, helpful charismatic and trustworthy combined with an expert and in-depth knowledge of the subject matter makes dealing with him hard to beat. I have and will continue to recommend XXXXX work and look forward to dealing with him again.”

£50 okay?

T

[BrowneIssue]

There is no proof ..

PM me with a job title for a gig, and their details, and I'll write to them on proper business letterheaded paper for a reference. I'll then forward it to you.

Would that help?

[TykeMerc]

Since it sounds like it's an old colleague and NOT his referee that's putting the boot in I'm not sure what can be done about this.

When I'm hiring and I have other people from a candidates ex company available I'm likely to canvas some opinion on an informal basis. From the sounds of this it's that sort on opinion that's tripping the OP up.

No official reference to take any action on even if Mrdonuts opinion wasn't totally invalidated by his sloppy English.

[Darren_Test]

Since it sounds like it's an old colleague and NOT his referee that's putting the boot in I'm not sure what can be done about this.

When I'm hiring and I have other people from a candidates ex company available I'm likely to canvas some opinion on an informal basis. From the sounds of this it's that sort on opinion that's tripping the OP up.

No official reference to take any action on even if Mrdonuts opinion wasn't totally invalidated by his sloppy English.

Yes..I never given his name as reference, for that matter not even giving my manager's name as reference. Yes its informal opinion is creating trouble.

[Darren_Test]

PM me with a job title for a gig, and their details, and I'll write to them on proper business letterheaded paper for a reference. I'll then forward it to you.

Would that help?

As I mentioned issue is not with formal reference its informal chats that is creating troubles for me.

[BrowneIssue]

As I mentioned issue is not with formal reference its informal chats that is creating troubles for me.

Are you really, really sure it is not your interview technique?

Just a thought.

[expat]

This happened to me once. I was just winding up one contract, and when I went for another, the prospective new PM contacted a friend of his in my old place, and got a bad report of me: all non-specific stuff like "bad work attitude".

I asked my PM on the old project if he would feel unable to give me a good reference if asked. No, he said, I'd give you a very good reference because I'm very happy with your work. That's why I've kept you on until there is absolutely no more work for you. Why?

I explained, and he asked me to put the agency in touch with him directly. Later the agency told me that he had given me a glowing reference, as had the team leader whom he had also asked to do so; and the PM had added angrily that if anyone wanted to know about my work they should ask him, since he was the one who was in a position to know.

I was pleased to know that I had at least made a good impression on those who worked with me, but I still didn't get the contract, so I did the only reasonable thing: moved on.