Reply to: When Reference details should be given..????

[JaybeeInCUK]

Another angle they'll try is the old, "I don't want to send your cv to the same places you're interviewing, what interviews have you had?" Best answer to that is either,

"None of your business",

or

"Tell you what; I won't ask the names of the other candidates you're sending down for the interview, and you don't ask me the names of the other companies I'm interviewing with".

They may ease off SLIGHTLY here with, ok, ok, just wanted to make sure it's not in the same industry. If you reply, "Pharmaceuticals", he'll alert his call-centre to get on the phone to all the hiring managers on their databases in that field.

[minstrel]

Last time I was asked for references I just gave the pimp the details of my previous pimp.

Then the pimp said they needed 2 references.

So I gave them details of my previous pimp and my previous pimp's timesheet/invoice/admin woman.

[Taita]

Pimps

I do wish we could drop this derogatory term. It is rather embarrassing answering the inevitable party question " what do you do?" with "I'm a prostitute!"

[miffy]

But mine will be more legible.

Probably wouldn't matter, agents can't read as we all know!

[SueEllen]

But mine will be more legible.

Didn't realise pimps were literate.

[PAH]

Oi'l doorit forra Fiver ...

But mine will be more legible.

[AlfredJPruffock]

If anyone's stuck for references, I can supply them at £25 a page. I'll even supply a (premium rate) phone number the pimps can contact me on.

Oi'l doorit forra Fiver ...

[BrilloPad]

If anyone's stuck for references, I can supply them at £25 a page. I'll even supply a (premium rate) phone number the pimps can contact me on.

hmmm - this sounds like a good plan B...

[TheFaQQer]

I have a few references that I give out if they are really persistent - a vice president at Oracle, another contractor mate of mine, and last permie manager. None are hiring, have no prospect of hiring contractors, but don't mind giving a decent reference.

That said, I tend to do it as late in the process as possible.

[BrowneIssue]

To the client at the interview or any time after.

To the agent when they make an offer or after.

[Darren_Test]

thanks..

[Cheshire Cat]

Just say they can speak to your mum for a character reference.
"He's such a lovely boy, always does his homework, is slowly getting off the skag" etc..

[PAH]

If anyone's stuck for references, I can supply them at £25 a page. I'll even supply a (premium rate) phone number the pimps can contact me on.

[Ardesco]

These pimps do not have a job for you. They are teasing you with false hope. They are just want leads and if you give them this is what happens:

• Your managers will hate you, because of all the agents calling them.
• Agents will call your manager, when your renewal is due and offer to replace you with better, cheaper resources.
• If you tell them where your CV has been sent (and worse, your rate!)they will put up cheaper candidates against you.

Believe me, this does happen. NEVER GIVE REFERENCES TO A PIMP. If they really insist, just say you will give to client at interview. In 10 years of contracting a client has never asked me for references.

Depends on the industry. In banking they will normally expect some references so they can do a bit of background checking, banks are quite anal because of the potential cost of screw ups. I have never had to provide references for anything outside the banking sector though.

[Turion]

These pimps do not have a job for you. They are teasing you with false hope. They are just want leads and if you give them this is what happens:

• Your managers will hate you, because of all the agents calling them.
  
• Agents will call your manager, when your renewal is due and offer to replace you with better, cheaper resources.
  
• If you tell them where your CV has been sent (and worse, your rate!)they will put up cheaper candidates against you.

Believe me, this does happen. NEVER GIVE REFERENCES TO A PIMP. If they really insist, just say you will give to client at interview. In 10 years of contracting a client has never asked me for references.