Agencies asking for referees on initial contact
Hi,
Has anyone else noticed a massive increase in the number of agencies basically just pumping available contractors for their referee details? Is it a new trend or just something I've been lucky to avoid before? Of course I'm happy to give my references once I have a real prospect (after at least one interview) but I must have had five calls this week (and more last week) where they work at establishing a relationship (usually with promises of lots of jobs on the books or perhaps one that's a very good skill-fit, location & rate) then, once you have spent some time talking about your skills and requirements they casually mention that their systems (or perhaps the terms of their agreement with the client) need them to enter names for referees. Just names of course, no contact details (as if they didn't already have your CV with the company names on it!). As soon as you refuse (politely explaining that your referees are important to you and you do not wish them to be called unnecessarily) they get off the line as quickly as possible, usually with a grumpy "Then we won't put your CV forward". It's pretty obvious the jobs do not exist and all they want is names to cold call.
As far as I am concerned this is a new low in agent behaviour. I wish it would stop but my main concern is that it might be a reflection of hard times out there for agencies (not that I shed any tears for them but it suggests hard times for us too).
Any views?
Has anyone else noticed a massive increase in the number of agencies basically just pumping available contractors for their referee details? Is it a new trend or just something I've been lucky to avoid before? Of course I'm happy to give my references once I have a real prospect (after at least one interview) but I must have had five calls this week (and more last week) where they work at establishing a relationship (usually with promises of lots of jobs on the books or perhaps one that's a very good skill-fit, location & rate) then, once you have spent some time talking about your skills and requirements they casually mention that their systems (or perhaps the terms of their agreement with the client) need them to enter names for referees. Just names of course, no contact details (as if they didn't already have your CV with the company names on it!). As soon as you refuse (politely explaining that your referees are important to you and you do not wish them to be called unnecessarily) they get off the line as quickly as possible, usually with a grumpy "Then we won't put your CV forward". It's pretty obvious the jobs do not exist and all they want is names to cold call.
As far as I am concerned this is a new low in agent behaviour. I wish it would stop but my main concern is that it might be a reflection of hard times out there for agencies (not that I shed any tears for them but it suggests hard times for us too).
Any views?
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