An Agency not putting me forward for 2 Roles

[Akeap]

Hi All (sorry about wall of text)

I was wondering anyone else has had this problem. I have recently join the bench and obviously keen to jump off asap. It seems there are quite a few roles suitable around but realise there is alot of competition out there.

I have come across 2 roles that appear to be through ROC Search agency. I applied through a jobsite and recieved a call the next day about skills experience etc.

It all seem pretty usual, they didnt seem to be the usual fishing for rates for this type of role etc.

The crunch came when they said "great you seem a good match and we will put you forward for the role". Usual course I have had on previous contracts means that if client likes they offer a interview and either then or after offer ebing made the references are requested.

This agency ask for 2 references before submittal, alarm bells ringing, they also go louder as they didnt seem interested in my most recent gig that was in Spain for a short stint (7 weeks) but more liking the idea of been given names within a very large UK Utilities company.

Has anyone else had this agency giving this requirement? I have explained the usual that my co don't give out willy nilly until at least interview stage as I don't want previous clients asked for references over and over.. that they hadn't even told me the name of the company they are forwarding my CV to!

As it seems they have many contracts advertised at the moment for ideal sounding roles through them they seem they "might" be legit and not full of tulip but the up front thing has really put me off... I even asked to speak to a manager to clarify he did not budge.

Anyone dealy with them? or is this a forget and move?

[cojak]

Sound like it was a bogus phishing exercise by said agency.

For your own amusement you could ask if they are on the 'clients' PSL - if they send you a mail saying they are, move on. If they don't send a mail, see if you can find a similar sounding job and apply through a different agency.

I think it's a scam though. Don't waste your energy fretting over it.

[The Wikir Man]

Sound like it was a bogus phishing exercise by said agency.

For your own amusement you could ask if they are on the 'clients' PSL - if they send you a mail saying they are, move on. If they don't send a mail, see if you can find a similar sounding job and apply through a different agency.

I think it's a scam though. Don't waste your energy fretting over it.

WSS.

Tell them that you are under a non-disclosure agreement, but can get a reference from the agency if necessary. That will tell you whether there are genuine roles or not.

[northernladuk]

Just give them the last two agencies you worked for. That is more than adequate..

Oh hang on a minute... that is the advice that has been given in the 325 reply sticky on this exact topic at the top of the page.. Doh silly me!

[Akeap]

Hmm thats what I thought, well folks you get a call from ROC Search...beware! Im off to search for another contractor cheers peeps.

[cojak]

Just give them the last two agencies you worked for. That is more than adequate..

Oh hang on a minute... that is the advice that has been given in the 325 reply sticky on this exact topic at the top of the page.. Doh silly me!

He named though NLUK, give him credit...

[The Agents View]

How hard is this?

We don't NEED your references for names these days - LinkedIn, Internet intelligence, market reports - they'll all bring up the people we need to speak to in order to get business done - You might bypass a gatekeeper with a mobile number, but you're more likely to P someone off by calling them on that, than to provide a stable introductory base.

So.... Taking that out of the equation, you're down to not providing references because you don't want your referees "bothered". Well then ask them to type an in-depth reference for you (I can provide a template for this for anyone interested - just PM me). From there, all a recruiter should need to do, is speak to the referee and double confirm that it is their opinion, and has not been doctored.

I personally ask for references because I want to be double sure that the people I represent are what they tell me they are. No point in telling anyone that business doesn't sometimes come out of it, but thats more to do with the way in which I take a reference than anything else.

Contractors have a real hang up about the referencing side of things. Try thinking about yourselves for once - if one in ten of those fishing trips is actually a real job, then who cares? Do you want the bl00dy job or not?!?

[northernladuk]

Just for interest do people find their clients will even give them a reference? I don't even bother asking anymore. First three gigs I did no one would give me a reference due to either policy on not giving these for contractors or just politely declined as I am a contractor.

I wouldn't give a contractor a reference either to be honest except maybe extreme circumstances so never questioned why others refused. Judging by what is blamed on the contractor after he has gone I wouldnt' want a client to give me a reference either to be honest.

Did I just hit three unlucky situations or is not giving refs the norm?

[cojak]

Contractors have a real hang up about the referencing side of things. Try thinking about yourselves for once - if one in ten of those fishing trips is actually a real job, then who cares? Do you want the bl00dy job or not?!?

Yeah - and you'd feel obliged to give any jobs you got from my references to me, would you? Smashing!!

Try being honest and upfront and you might get somewhere...

[mavster07]

I think if the agency is asking for references, the answer I always give if I think the agency hasn't properly read my CV or seems a bit rushed to get to that stage, then I always say that I'm happy to supply following an interview such that I don't inconvenience my current or former client. That always goes down well in that a good agency would realise that you do have referees but that you are doing the right thing by them to make them aware they may get called and about what role. However, in most cases agencies either don't bother or check with the recruitment agency in question. I've found that most clients, if they like your CV and also how you perform at interview, don't bother either.

To answer the other question as to whether you 'should' get references, I believe the answer is a resounding 'Yes'. If you want to be taken seriously and demonstrate to clients that your work is recognised and valued, then the best way is to have references and to proactively offer them to clients. If you are in business for yourself how can it be any other way ?