Agency referral schemes.

[BolshieBastard]

Anyone had any success with these?

As I've improved my networking skills over the last 2 years or so, I find Im 'referring' more of my contacts to jobs Im not interested in for one reason or another (usually because Im in a role!).

So, whenever an agent contacts me about a job and I've established they have such a scheme, I tend to tell them Im unavailable but, I know someone who is. I then refer my contact to the agent via email and copy them both in.

And that's generally the last I hear about it!

Now Im pretty certain, one or two people have found jobs this way but I havent been able to confirm it. None of the agents every come back and say 'thanks for the referral, here's your 50 \ 100 quid.'

So, what is perceived as the best way to get something out of agents for such successful referals? One lad I used to work with and was in truth, a money grabber, reckoned he got upto 500 a year extra for referrals.

How much should agents couch up, 50 quid seems a pathetic amount.

[TestMangler]

I've had one (£200) in seventeen years of contracting and assisting in the placement of dozens of people.

It was a gig that the agent/client wanted me for, took too long to sort it out and when they eventually did, i'd started another gig. I gave them a name and two weeks later, an envelope of actual CASH came through the door with a compliments slip from the agent

Bizarre, but in a good way

[BrilloPad]

Now Im pretty certain, one or two people have found jobs this way but I havent been able to confirm it.

A good reason to keep in touch.

I have received 2 referrals - once in 2008 and once in 1996. £500 each time.

[BolshieBastard]

Good to hear some people have had success and more than 100 quids worth.

[rd409]

Almost everytime, the agent says that they already had this candidate on their database, so no referral fees

But for me the reward, is good connection with fellow contractors, who might refer me for future roles, if they have. It's symbiosis you see.

[Mr.Whippy]

Almost everytime, the agent says that they already had this candidate on their database, so no referral fees

Yeah I've had that too from a few agents, easy cop out.

The only time I've had anything like this paid is from QDOS. they even sent me another referral fee when the person I referred renewed their insurances a year later