I hope this doesn't catch on: references up front

[NotAllThere]

I gave a reference to a guy on my team - while we were both on the way to the airport in a taxi.

I believe I used the phrases "He really knows how to proactively synergise the team dynamic". "He can handle the paradigm modifications required to smoothly switch between collaborative and focused working".

Strangely, he got the contract. Stranger still, it was a genuine reference check, from Progressive. No fishing at all.

[OwlHoot]

I honestly don't mind this; it is a bit rude, but if it makes the difference and gets you the job then more fool them. ...

If you mean you don't mind giving references before an offer, *you* may not mind it but your referees might mind being hassled every other day by frivolous requests for a reference and they might even stop giving one after three or four times. I would, if I thought the person was giving my details to agents like that.

[expat]

If you mean you don't mind giving references before an offer, *you* may not mind it but your referees might mind being hassled every other day by frivolous requests for a reference and they might even stop giving one after three or four times. I would, if I thought the person was giving my details to agents like that.

Well, quite so. It's all very well in buoyant markets where you apply for very few contracts because you get practically every one that you go for. In the 100-CVs-for-every-job market, where you will be applying for scores of contracts, you have to think of how your referees will react to the 50th phone call: will it be such as to get you the job? Or have you wasted your goodwill on a dozen fishermen?

[Grinder]

If you mean you don't mind giving references before an offer, *you* may not mind it but your referees might mind being hassled every other day by frivolous requests for a reference and they might even stop giving one after three or four times. I would, if I thought the person was giving my details to agents like that.

Well, quite so. It's all very well in buoyant markets where you apply for very few contracts because you get practically every one that you go for. In the 100-CVs-for-every-job market, where you will be applying for scores of contracts, you have to think of how your referees will react to the 50th phone call: will it be such as to get you the job? Or have you wasted your goodwill on a dozen fishermen?

I see where you're both coming from, but I provided references for numerous job applications during my 5 months bench time, and my willing referees were only contacted twice (neither for the contract I ended up with )

From my experience, those agencies that ask for references up-front are not planning to use them up-front. As for fishing calls - they didn't receive any.

[Zippy]

I gave a reference to a guy on my team - while we were both on the way to the airport in a taxi.

I believe I used the phrases "He really knows how to proactively synergise the team dynamic". "He can handle the paradigm modifications required to smoothly switch between collaborative and focused working".

Strangely, he got the contract. Stranger still, it was a genuine reference check, from Progressive. No fishing at all.

I bet you felt dirty afterwards

[NotAllThere]

The agent was probably sacked a few days later.