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The short answer is, I don't give out references until after I have
interviewed the client, have decided that I want the job, and then only
if the client insists on it during the client phone interview.
The long answer is...
I NEVER break this rule. I (and other
contractors) have lost references because they were inundated by calls from
agencies and contract firms attempting to get sales leads.
It's not right to bother employers every time I send out
an email. Employers don't want to be bothered every time
I send out an email.
My references are busy, talented people who have better
things to do than answer calls from agencies who just
possibly perhaps someday might have a suitable position
for me. That is not a way to get a contract or a job!
But it's a good way to make my references
not want to remain my references any longer!
Makes no sense.
Providing references makes no sense
because, for legal reasons, an employer cannot
provide you with a statement. Employers, especially
Fortune 500 companies, are considered "deep pockets".
They fear legal action, have
nothing to gain, and everything to lose. There is no
legal reason for an employer to provide a reference
on a current or past employee.
Not an option.
Sharing my managers' names is not an option.
The last company whom I gave that information to bugged them
for new job opportunities, and it didn't reflect
well on me. I know, you can say, "We won't do that",
but that's what the other company said.
Telemarketers are but monumental time wasters who do far more damage than good.
They start collecting references as soon as they receive my email.
Then they contact my references, many of whom are hiring managers,
and ask them whether they're looking to hire anyone.
References are annoyed by such telemarketing.
If YOU were one of my references and received dozens or perhaps hundreds of phone calls
on my account alone, how long would you stay my reference?
Telemarketers make me lose references, because my references are inundated
by calls from agencies and contract firms attempting to get sales leads.
Telemarketers often claim "we don't do any telemarketing",
and "we don't work that way". But their claims have never made any sense to me,
because agencies and contract firms who don't do any telemarketing,
but simply check references given to them by candidates
will only hear the best about that candidate. After all,
would a candidate list a critic as a reference?
Telemarketers do nothing but "fish" for information at my expense.
They waste my time because they play phone tag with me for many days.
They waste my time by dangling before me jobs they don't have.
They waste my time by pretending they want to establish a rapport/relationship with me.
They waste my time by claiming their computers are unable to send me job descriptions.
They waste my time by claiming their computers are unable to view my web sites.
In general, telemarketers have nothing but a telephone and long lists of questions.
Their only objective is to pump me for references, company names, rates,
and give nothing in return.
Telemarketers are getting increasingly more
sophisticated. Last week a team of two con men
fabricated a story, put on a 4-hour show, wasted
4 hours of my time, and attempted to mislead me.
According to their story, they had a client who needed
my help, wanted my help, and was ready to
talk with me, but first these con men wanted "references" from me.
In reality there was no client, no job, no opportunity,
and all these con men had was a telephone, an
attitude, and a long list of dirty tricks.
Their only objective was to get from me references,
company names, rates, etc., and give nothing in return.
If you're a real recruiter,
do call me if something comes available for contract.
I'm pleased that you are considering my help for employment
opportunities with you. And would like to thank you for your
interest in me and the work that I do. I wish you much success
with your work.
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