Agency Insisting on verbal references...!!

[YHB]

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??

[BrilloPad]

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??

Ask them if their people are allowed to give verbal references - I bet they are not.

[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...

[cykophysh39]

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

[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"

[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!

[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.

[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...

[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]

All hail the mighty Darmstadt!!!

We're not worthy... etc.

Oh, btw, W4NKER!

Jealousy will get you nowhere