Reply to: References

[flipFlop]

...lately I've been interacting with recruiters that wants references up front to guard their reputation..

No, you've been interacting with con artists that want you to give them sales leads; isn't this patently obvious to you?

[maxedvolume]

I think he's used this line so many times he can tell whether the person on the other line is actually going to go with it or not.

Maybe I when lip-synced, i made noise and he heard.. lol.

Haven't heard from him. Typical.

What would the agent do with a technical references though is what i'm curious about...

[TykeMerc]

So, this recruiter is asking for 2 technical references for a role he's putting me forward for because the company requires it..

Is he full of it? End of the call, I basically lip synced what he said 'so what i now need from you is 2 technical references from your last 2 roles.'

Too predictable?

Totally predictable and blatantly obvious.
Odds are the whole conversation was simply a vehicle for that question and the role will mysteriously disappear. You can expect to hear from that agent again in a few months with exactly the same line as they assume we forget the bulltulip they used the last time.

[maxedvolume]

So, this recruiter is asking for 2 technical references for a role he's putting me forward for because the company requires it..

Is he full of it? End of the call, I basically lip synced what he said 'so what i now need from you is 2 technical references from your last 2 roles.'

Too predictable?

[pmeswani]

I've just had one agency telling me how their client wants to speak to my previous client contacts to vouch that I have done the job, which the agency cannot do. I laughed and told the agency to bugger off. I told the agency in a previous email, if they want to get the client details from the previous agency I have been contracted through, they are more than welcome to ask. It's a phishing exercise the agency uses to get them new contacts..... nothing more, unless it's a public sector organisation.

[CheeseSlice]

Most agencies I've worked through will provide a standard letter headed PDF letter if asked nicely.
Usually they state the dates you contracted at clientco, plus if the agent is good they'll specify how many extensions you had whilst there .
I think that is all another agency should really need. i.e. did they make up this stuff on their CV or not?
edit: also, if you were there for at least 3-6 months that is self-evident that you were good enough, or you'd be terminated quite quickly.

Completely agree the agent shouldn't need to phone up anybody you worked with for technical assurances, the agent isn't going to know what they're talking about to judge.

[oilyrag]

Same as others have said, I refer them to my previous agent.

[kaiser78]

If I am pushed to provide references, I give contact details of the agency I was previously contracting through and explain that I would not know who in clientco would be able to provide a reference...

[ElDuderino]

Was asked this week for 2 years worth of references for a position lasting 2 weeks.

Explained that I'd already bothered actual referees recently, though to no avail (didn't get the role). Turned out agent is just ticking boxes set out by their Compliance department.

Agent was happy to take details of other agencies to check previous role dates, instead of bothering my 'real' referees.

Too much paper fafferage for my liking, but I abide with this outcome

[SueEllen]

Does the form ask specifically for client details for contractors/the self-employed? If not, then don't give them.

As if you run your own limited then you employ yourself. So unless the form specifically asks for details of past clients then you don't need to give them.

This link will illustrate why you should just give them exactly what is asked for. Scroll to section 4 then ANNEX B. How will an agency be able to answer question 5 in annex B?

Since such forms always want one or two personal referees anyway you don't really need to worry about bench time.

[Contreras]

Give them another contractor you worked alongside. (Obviously ask first.)

If they really want a reference about your technical capabilities that would be good enough.

I like that suggestion. It assumes though that you get to work alongside other contractors often enough that there will be some you trust to give a good account of you!

If they want a client contact then they will be disappointed as you can honestly say that due to the non-disclosure agreement in your contract or the client policy of not giving anyone whether they are permanent/temp/contractor personal references you cannot give them those details.

I've had agencies obtain different reference types on me and I have a range of people who are willing to give me a reference depending on what is required, but absolutely none of my referees are the end-clients.

How about where ClientCo HR is asking for 3 years "employment history" in respect of a BPSS security check?

I'm going through this right now. My most recent client was direct. I'm planning to state MyCo as Employer, and list the Agency Co.s and the direct Client Co. as 'contracts'. Is that enough do you think, or will they want to know all end clients? I have to take the form in when starting and don't really want to kick off getting arsey with HR on day 1!

Fwiw, there is also 6m bench time at the start of the period which make it look like I'm listing only 2 1/2 year's history. I also specifically do not list Client Co. names or dates on my CV.

[perplexed]

I can just see the expression on the old agent's face, as the new agent phones him up to ask for his client's details

Well, said references are merely to confirm I was contracting through them on an assignment for the period claimed in my company resume. Which is as it should.

Given end client confirm technical ability from the pitch meeting*, there's nothing else the agency need really, is there? The number of agents capable of determining technical competence I've experienced you could count on the fingers of a persistent thief in Saudi Arabia.

* after all, interviews are for permies

[Spartacus]

The policy of the place I work (city, finance) is not to give references for contractors at all. Ironically they ask for references for contractors though. Even for permies all they will do is provide dates of employment.

This is increasingly common I think (apart from the refusing to give references but insisting on getting references bit, that's just weird).

[SueEllen]

Lately the agents have been asking for someone to ring up for 'technical reference'. It's gonna be a case of, so was he good with MVC? ok, what about C# and ASP.NET? without understanding what it is..

Give them another contractor you worked alongside. (Obviously ask first.)

If they really want a reference about your technical capabilities that would be good enough.

If they want a client contact then they will be disappointed as you can honestly say that due to the non-disclosure agreement in your contract or the client policy of not giving anyone whether they are permanent/temp/contractor personal references you cannot give them those details.

I've had agencies obtain different reference types on me and I have a range of people who are willing to give me a reference depending on what is required, but absolutely none of my referees are the end-clients.

[maxedvolume]

Lately the agents have been asking for someone to ring up for 'technical reference'. It's gonna be a case of, so was he good with MVC? ok, what about C# and ASP.NET? without understanding what it is..