Reply to: On the subject of references

[Another Dodgy Agent]

Well thats the difference between a "bum on seat" contractor and a professional.
A true business owner knows that contacts and reputation are your life blood

Absolutely, they certainly are for me.

[Spacecadet]

Indeed. I think we both know that my intentions were clear in that I was suggesting that certain industries are incenstuous and that depending on how you act within contract may have an impact in the future for future gigs.

Well thats the difference between a "bum on seat" contractor and a professional.
A true business owner knows that contacts and reputation are your life blood

[Another Dodgy Agent]

I'll just quote yourself again:



at no point do you mention keeping good relationships, only leaving them inside the contract.

Indeed. I think we both know that my intentions were clear in that I was suggesting that certain industries are incenstuous and that depending on how you act within contract may have an impact in the future for future gigs.

[Spacecadet]

I'll just quote yourself again:

Often (within industry) your work situ can become quite incestuous in that everyone knows everyone else and on that basis it is always worth leaving contracts and working relationships within contracts as best as possible.

at no point do you mention keeping good relationships, only leaving them inside the contract.

[Another Dodgy Agent]

This has happened to me with a certain Ms Carroll. When I catch up with that bitch.....

Don't worry I will be sure to look out for her...

[Another Dodgy Agent]

Agents came up because you (an agent) was making a recommendation that would promote furthur use of agents.

By maintaining relationships with past clients a contractor can build up a network of contacts and stop working through agents and start working direct.

No I'm not, I am stating that you maintain good relationships with your end client because you never know when someone you have worked with in the past may crop up in the future.

I don't care whether you work direct or not, my advice was that you maintain relationships (not with the friggin agents).

[Spacecadet]

Er, no, so that you leave on a good basis so if future gigs cross paths with old work person's you don't have a situation where some one can provide you with a naff internal reference.

Where did agents crop up in this???????

Agents came up because you (an agent) was making a recommendation that would promote furthur use of agents.

By maintaining relationships with past clients a contractor can build up a network of contacts and stop working through agents and start working direct.

[BolshieBastard]

Exactly. Had it today, 3 candidate's requested for interview by client, 15 mins later email comes through saying they want to pull one of the interviews. I knew exactly at that point that someone internally had heard they were interviewing said candidate and for whatever reason put the knife in.

This has happened to me with a certain Ms Carroll. When I catch up with that bitch.....

[Another Dodgy Agent]

er why?
So that we have to use agents cause we don't know anybody else in the industry?

Er, no, so that you leave on a good basis so if future gigs cross paths with old work person's you don't have a situation where some one can provide you with a naff internal reference.

Where did agents crop up in this???????

[Spacecadet]

Often (within industry) your work situ can become quite incestuous in that everyone knows everyone else and on that basis it is always worth leaving contracts and working relationships within contracts as best as possible.

er why?
So that we have to use agents cause we don't know anybody else in the industry?

[thunderlizard]

There's no law against it. Call it due diligence.

[Another Dodgy Agent]

It's a small world

Exactly. Had it today, 3 candidate's requested for interview by client, 15 mins later email comes through saying they want to pull one of the interviews. I knew exactly at that point that someone internally had heard they were interviewing said candidate and for whatever reason put the knife in.

Often (within industry) your work situ can become quite incestuous in that everyone knows everyone else and on that basis it is always worth leaving contracts and working relationships within contracts as best as possible.

Your never know when your current equivalent on assignment will later on be a hiring manager/decision maker.

[Gonzo]

It is possibly a bit sneaky if they have cold called your previous clients, but it is a surprisingly small world out there and it is possible that your interviewer has contacts at your previous clients and had an informal chat with them.

I know that I would in that position.

[BolshieBastard]

Unless you have expressly given them permission then they have been a bit naughty imo by contacting a previous employer.

That said, what's the beef? You must have disclosed sufficient info on your cv to allow them to contact previous employers.

Lesson learned. Either make sure your cv states previous clients shouldnt be contacted without your expressed permission or, remove company identifiers when you submit a cv.

[DodgyAgent]

Have a query for you lot!

I attended an interview yesterday - not with an agency I must add! and although I had not put any reference contacts on my CV some of the comments and questions asked made it quite clear the interviewer had spoken to one of my previous employers.

Are they allowed to do this without asking me?

Cheers!

It's a small world