References and checks > how far back is normal ??

[darmstadt]

In Germany they really rate these things highly. No serious qualifications= a problem or you will get paid low.
Maybe similar in other countries.

Really? Never been asked although after a few months into contracts and conversations with people there they find it quite incredible that I went straight into computing from school at 17 and never studied it. Possibly they might want these things for newcomers but with over 25 years experience they probably think twice about asking for this type of rubbish. (And I definitely don't get paid low but people doing newcomer stuff like Windows, Java, etc. do)

[nomadd]

nomadd, I presume you are on contract at said IB? How did they validate your last 5 years ? From the Director of your Ltd (surely not), former agencies, former client manager ?

Telephone, email, snail mail?

One of my former long-contract sites has long since become bankrupt and likewise the agency.

Another 2 year contract had the entire IT department outsourced/offshored. Nobody left to my knowledge. The agency went tits up.

Another site almost popped but cuddly Uncle Gordon stepped in and saved the day. I'm aware there has been a major shakeup in IT and I've no idea if any of the old people are still there. My former manager and potential reliable referee has moved on.

My first ever contract client was bought by a competitor and promptly shutdown. I don't remember the name of the agency and maybe they don't exist.



The upshot is that I wouldn't advise buying any stock at my current gig and more importantly some of my past work is rather difficult to verify. I'm worried that this could kibosh my next plan or Investment Bank work.

Yep, it's always a problem.

I kinda got off the hook for most of it, as when the "vetting agency" asked me to fill in their form I filled in the "self employed" section. I just said I'd been with the same company for the last 21 years, which is true; mind you, it is my company...

I gave them a couple of managers details from a couple of contracts back (one of them from 7 years ago, in fact.) The agency said that if they wanted to check more - and I had no contacts from prior roles - then a quick check with the agency I worked through would be enough.

TBH, it all seemed to waltz through OK in the end. Only sticking point was them insisting on a copy of my degree, which was at my mum's place (and she's 75, so doesn't know what a scanner, printer, email, The Internet, etc., etc. actually are... ) Got my Bro-in-law to scan and email it to them in the end.

All the rest of the stuff was done via a few emails. Mind you, I'd been on-site for a month before they started doing all this stuff. Pretty pointless, really, but the Banks do like to think they've covered themselves, somehow...

[Clippy]

Perhaps this is where Linked In could come in.

In future, when you are about to leave a gig, you connect with your manager and ask him to write a recommendation to act as a reference for you against your profile.

[LegendsWear7]

Regarding educational check's, got to ask, unless the job specificlly ask's for something in particular or you are under 25, why do you even put your education on your CV?

Dropped mine off my CV when i was around 25 (shortly after i started contracting) and the lack has never been raised in the 10 years since

Regarding the work check's, if i was asked for something simerlar would just laugh at them and tell them the truth, that contracts beyond 2 years (aka last one) virtually impossible to obtain references because everyone i know there is long gone

Some clients believe you have added credibility with them.

In Germany they really rate these things highly. No serious qualifications= a problem or you will get paid low.
Maybe similar in other countries.

About the old references... I know I know. It is a bit of a 'mare. Companies come and go. Modern staff turnover means getting a genuine line manager reference from 10 years ago is not always realistic in UK. I think as a contractor especially even if the manager is still there they would struggle to remember me.

My concern is potentially losing contracts or being 'suspicious' as I can't get multiple refs from multiple countries. It is easy for the London-based perm who has only ever had two jobs with companies still in same form/same manager or HR.

[Not So Wise]

Regarding educational check's, got to ask, unless the job specificlly ask's for something in particular or you are under 25, why do you even put your education on your CV?

Dropped mine off my CV when i was around 25 (shortly after i started contracting) and the lack has never been raised in the 10 years since

Regarding the work check's, if i was asked for something simerlar would just laugh at them and tell them the truth, that contracts beyond 2 years (aka last one) virtually impossible to obtain references because everyone i know there is long gone

[LegendsWear7]

Well, I work for an IB, and the checks there were for the last 5 years (working sites) + a copy of my "highest" qualification, in my case a degree. I also supplied a couple of personal references.

nomadd, I presume you are on contract at said IB? How did they validate your last 5 years ? From the Director of your Ltd (surely not), former agencies, former client manager ?

Telephone, email, snail mail?

One of my former long-contract sites has long since become bankrupt and likewise the agency.

Another 2 year contract had the entire IT department outsourced/offshored. Nobody left to my knowledge. The agency went tits up.

Another site almost popped but cuddly Uncle Gordon stepped in and saved the day. I'm aware there has been a major shakeup in IT and I've no idea if any of the old people are still there. My former manager and potential reliable referee has moved on.

My first ever contract client was bought by a competitor and promptly shutdown. I don't remember the name of the agency and maybe they don't exist.



The upshot is that I wouldn't advise buying any stock at my current gig and more importantly some of my past work is rather difficult to verify. I'm worried that this could kibosh my next plan or Investment Bank work.

[nomadd]

I'm in early discussion with a well-known Middle Eastern entity for my services. They appear to be very security/document-concious and have just asked for the following (with a standard form)

All school and educational records/results since I was 14.
References for every client site I've ever worked at (15 years).
3 non-work referees to vouch for character.

As the work is potentially rather lucrative I've yet to tag this as SPAM. Obtaining all this is a PITA.

I've heard certain City outfits like Goldman Sachs ask for 10 years but this is taking the pee.

Ever been asked for references/proof of work from years ago ?

Well, I work for an IB, and the checks there were for the last 5 years (working sites) + a copy of my "highest" qualification, in my case a degree. I also supplied a couple of personal references.

What you are being asked to provide is plain stupid. I'd tell them to get sensible, or forget it. Then again, that's just me; you may feel differently.

Ps. I only supplied my stuff after they had offered the contract. Your lot seem to be asking for all this before they've even offered an interview! I'd definitely tell them to forget it.

[Gonzo]

When I started as permie for an American bank in London ten years ago they wanted work references for the previous five years.

Along with a medical including drug tests.

[LegendsWear7]

In all my contracting career I've never previously been asked for formal proof of anything. There was once a quick phone check to a former boss. Nothing more. It was always on the basis that if I can't deliver I'll be out on my ear before Friday.


This background checking is a shock to me but maybe I'm out of touch.

[Mr.Whippy]

Ever been asked for references/proof of work from years ago ?

Yep... and school results etc before starting a contract at a different IB in the city.

[lxt04]

When I worked on-behalf of a big/the biggest state oil company in the gulf, I wasn't asked for any additional references other than what was on my CV, and I don't even think they took it.

On the other hand, if my experience of the Middle East is anything, one hand doesn't really know what the other is doing. They may ask for all these references, but whether they actually do anything with them is another matter entirely.

[Menelaus]

Sounds extremely non-kosher (no pun intended).

[LegendsWear7]

I'm in early discussion with a well-known Middle Eastern entity for my services. They appear to be very security/document-concious and have just asked for the following (with a standard form)

All school and educational records/results since I was 14.
References for every client site I've ever worked at (15 years).
3 non-work referees to vouch for character.

As the work is potentially rather lucrative I've yet to tag this as SPAM. Obtaining all this is a PITA.

I've heard certain City outfits like Goldman Sachs ask for 10 years but this is taking the pee.

Ever been asked for references/proof of work from years ago ?