References

[john25]

hi people i need help clearing something up thats bothering me about references . Basically the scenario is Today i found a decent Sparkies mate Job on the Jobcentre website it was a decent job too $10ph 3 months work possibly permenant on a college refurb .so anyways i phoned them up and told them that i had just completed my L2 2330 at my local college and was going back in sept to do the L3 plus 17th edition annd that i had a CSCS card plus my IPAF SL ticket plus a CIS card, own hand tools and about 2 years experience .

anyways the guy sound very keen about what i had to offer and asked me for references and could i start monday But i explained to him that the references i had were nearly 3 years old and been hammered a hell of a lot by Agencies and i wasnt sure that they were still usuable due to that fact but i gave him the 2 references. and he said would phone me back with the job details a bit later But he never did call me back

So its made me think that maybe My references are not good anymore i.e everytime an employer phones them about me they are just saying **** off .Because after i done the 2 rerefernce Jobs everytime i phoned up for a job and they asked me for references I would get a call back like 5/10 mins later asking if i was ok to start

But now when i phone for a job and use the 2 references i never hear anything Back.

So my question to everyone especially employers is .How long can use them same refernces for is there an actual limit either a time limit or the amount of times someone can use you as a reference ?

Because im sarting to really get disheartend with the construction industry now as the Agencies are ripping us off with p155 take wages plus they have the cheek to ask us for references but wont accept references from another agency's i mean how are we supposed to get good employer references when most of the work these days is Short time Agency work.

 

[Phil]

have you worked with any guys in the trade that can give you a reference? if you have them it should not matter that they are three years old really mate. it`s not like they have a sell by date on them.

 

[john25]

have you worked with any guys in the trade that can give you a reference? if you have them it should not matter that they are three years old really mate. it`s not like they have a sell by date on them.

No mate they were the only 2 references i had from the Trade.

most work since then has mostly been short term demolition and labouring agency jobs

 

[Adam W]

References are a very misunderstood business:

There's no such thing as a "glowing reference" - all that potential employers are interested in is getting a reference, which could just read: "[Such and such] worked here between [this date] and [that date]."

Many former employers don't bother giving references because they don't understand what they're supposed to write.

Most prospective employers don't even check references anyway, they just want to know you could get them if asked. The worst thing you could do is convey the impression that you're unsure of your references.


When dealing with recruitment consultants it's important to remember that you're basically trying to sell yourself to a salesman, so tell them what they want to hear. If it comes to the worst give them a mate's number, then you can see if they've even bothered checking.

 

[john25]

References are a very misunderstood business:

There's no such thing as a "glowing reference" - all that potential employers are interested in is getting a reference, which could just read: "[Such and such] worked here between [this date] and [that date]."

Many former employers don't bother giving references because they don't understand what they're supposed to write.

Most prospective employers don't even check references anyway, they just want to know you could get them if asked. The worst thing you could do is convey the impression that you're unsure of your references.


When dealing with recruitment consultants it's important to remember that you're basically trying to sell yourself to a salesman, so tell them what they want to hear. If it comes to the worst give them a mate's number, then you can see if they've even bothered checking.

True

you know i might just do that next time (with a spare phione iv'e got) but just dont answer it

 

[alarm man]

make sure they arnt giving you a bad reference unfairly thats the only illegal thing about references,like novus says companys dont have to give a reference and few big companies are scared to incase they say something wrong in this 'where theres blame theres a claim' thing

 

[ian.settle1]

A lot of companies now will not give references as by law they can not give bad one even if your a crap worker, bad time keeper etc.

That is why if you get one it will only say that you worked for them from --- to ---

 

[Guest123]

By using old references mate you really are putting yourself at a disadvantage.

Try and get some fresh ones, even if they're not electrical related just stating your appearance, punctuality, attitude etc.

 

[john25]

By using old references mate you really are putting yourself at a disadvantage.

Try and get some fresh ones, even if they're not electrical related just stating your appearance, punctuality, attitude etc.

I wish i could mate but all the work since then has only been like a week here a couple of weeks there

like today i got a phone call at 11.30am asking me to go to a job (2 weekends work) that someone didnt bother to turn up for but he said he would pay me a full shift (12 hour days) and give me an extra 1.50ph for helping him out working for a shopfitter company called simpsons. who are doiing a bank refurb.

so ive at least got a couple of quid to look forward to this week

 

[KWCFC]

Just give them a couple of mates numbers and get them to do it.

It may be illegal to give bad references but that may not stop someone doing it.

 

[alarm man]

Just give them a couple of mates numbers and get them to do it.

It may be illegal to give bad references but that may not stop someone doing it.

its NOT illegal to give a bad reference,its illegal to give a bad reference when its not true ie-lies,say someone got sacked for bad time keeping,the previous employer is entitled to say so,it could be classed as illegal to for the previous employer to say 'hes a great lad,turns up on time and works his socks off' when it isnt true to the new employer and vice versa,my advice to anyone getting a bad reference which is stopping him getting further empolyment or anyone working for a company,speak to or join a union thats what they are there for,the company itself doesnt have to be a union company for you to join,24hr legal help and loads of other benefits for £11 a month..i reccomend

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