Reply to: Agency Insisting on verbal references...!!

[Francko]

its now getting to not only what you know, but who you know...

I am shocked!!!! Since when?

[YHB]

All resolved after a quick chat on phone- they happy with what they have.

Admin: please can you stop approving my messages as you take too long- have submitted 3 message with one older than 15 mins!! Displaying a permie attitude ; commonsense from looking at my posts should show im not a troll etc!!

[YHB]

they relied...

"I understand, we have come across this issue before, so many thanks for your assistance.

We do give written references, although can only give qualitative references, if we have feedback from the client."

I emailed back saying politely that it was a bit rich for them to ask if they do not supply; and as what I have already supplied is sufficient.

If they come back with more will ask for them to ask the client to phone me and will give him it personally.

[YHB]

Hi all,

Wanted tlo say thanks for all the replies and offers for references.

An Update- sent an email to an old TM who was intially referered the agent to HR and he has agreed to give a reference.

Sent an email today to the agency about when would get the contract (hoping they would forget) and got a reply within a MINUTE saying end of today and " by the way the references..."

So emailed back saying I have got a contact after a lot of trouble on my part so (as per Brillo's post) before I give it to you please can you confirm that yourselves give verbal references which I can use in the future?

Been 15 mins and no reply If they dont reply then will ask the client to phone me and explain why verbals are needed.

[Churchill]

Jealousy will get you nowhere

Whereas an axe, dark clothing and a moonless night will.

[NotAllThere]

I've never been asked for references for Swiss contracts. Which agency are you going through?

Ich auch kann Ihnen empfehlen!

Ich kann auch Ihnen empfehlen.

But it'd be Schweizerdeutsche anyway, so something like:
I' cha au Ihne emfle.

[BrilloPad]

Jealousy will get you nowhere

I am jealous - but well done anyway! Maybe one day I will emulate your achievement.

[darmstadt]

All hail the mighty Darmstadt!!!

We're not worthy... etc.

Oh, btw, W4NKER!

Jealousy will get you nowhere

[Churchill]

s'funny, I've got a Swiss company ringing and texting me constantly asking when can I start. No interview, no references, nothing. Admittedly I do know them but haven't actually given them anything to say that I can really do the job (Websphere on zOS) but they believe I can. Nice gig, 2 days a week, or more, until 2012 in Bern. Remember...in this business its now getting to not only what you know, but who you know...

All hail the mighty Darmstadt!!!

We're not worthy... etc.

Oh, btw, W4NKER!

[darmstadt]

s'funny, I've got a Swiss company ringing and texting me constantly asking when can I start. No interview, no references, nothing. Admittedly I do know them but haven't actually given them anything to say that I can really do the job (Websphere on zOS) but they believe I can. Nice gig, 2 days a week, or more, until 2012 in Bern. Remember...in this business its now getting to not only what you know, but who you know...

[Francko]

Hello!

Been offered a job in Switzerland, had a telephone interview and in person over there with practical tests and intrviews etc.

The Swiss based agency then advised they need 2 references a- the problem is I have always worked for professional companies who strictly tell their staff to refer all queries to HR so they dont get sued etc.

I advised them the Agent for my last contrct role, and the HR for my role prior (perm) and also forwarded a personal email I had (stating was sending unofficially) from a senior sales director at my last client (blue chip) thanking me for the quality of my work.

The agency have obtained these but are not content with the usual UK format or the email and are insisting on verbal- I'm supposed to be moving in a week and this is delaying travel plans and increasing last minute booking costs so not best pleased.

Half a mind to move on to something else Any experiences??

Unfortunately if it's a swiss company that is probably very true. The manager will call and talk with every single person mentioned in the references and scan you and the referee quite deeply.

You can imagine there is like a code in swiss references whereby employers can write non-excellent performance reviews in a legal way that is understood by other employers. If you don't have the right words you are very unlikely to get a new job. This code is passed from HR to HR in an allegedly secret way. :-)

As pathetic as switzerland really.

[Rymez2K]

Ich auch kann Ihnen empfehlen! - I also can recommend you!

"I am 100% sure that YBH is the right man/woman/squirrel for the job. Nothing he/she has posted in our contractors' forum has ever been shown to be false, inefficient or containing bugs"

Quality post!

[MrMark]

Ich auch kann Ihnen empfehlen! - I also can recommend you!

"I am 100% sure that YBH is the right man/woman/squirrel for the job. Nothing he/she has posted in our contractors' forum has ever been shown to be false, inefficient or containing bugs"

[cykophysh39]

I'll give you a verbal reference. Tell me what I need to say, I'll give you a phone number.

[SandyDown]

didn't you make any friendships at all while you were working there? why not call someone there and tell them the situation, am sure it would be OK, I did it a couple of times, and me old mates were more than happy to have a verbal conversation with a recruitment agent... they don't normally ask detailed question, just things like: would you employ her /work with her again kinda question...