Just Wondering....

ABajaninCork

I've applied for a job (through an agency) for which I had an interview yesterday.

Got a mail through from the agency. They were seeking refs from my previous employer, but couldn't get them straight away, as I needed to give permission for the info to be released. I gave that permission straight away.

Is this a good sign do you think? Never got as far as refs request before!!:D

pow wow

Were you registered with the agency before you applied for this job or is this the first contact you've had with them?

Eoin

Asking for references is usually a good sign, but it's normally done after the offer is made - i.e. the offer is subject to references. I wouldn't be that keen about all the referees being rung just for the sake of it.

Did they give any indication at all as to how the interview went?

ABajaninCork

Hi - thanks very much for the responses!:)

This was my first contact with this particular agency. What happened was I saw a job advertised. Sent through my CV, and the recruiter called me back straight away.

I had an interview with the agency on Monday to register, and interviewed with the client the following day. Yesterday, the agency sent through to my previous employer asking for a reference like I said.

This morning the agency called. I now have to undergo a telephone interview with the line manager:eek:.

I guess this is where we're at right now.

Eoin: Thanks for the tip. I'll be sure not to repeat the mistake! Like I say, this is a completely new experience for me, having not been in this position for a VERY long time!!:D

Eoin

Well, you don't really hold all the cards as candidate, so if they won't progress without references, then sometimes you have to just give the details. But certainly the agency should be making it a lot clearer what the situation is.

Am I reading it correctly that they asked your previous employer for the reference and only then contacted you to ask could the info be released?

ABajaninCork

Eoin wrote: »

Am I reading it correctly that they asked your previous employer for the reference and only then contacted you to ask could the info be released?

Kind of. I was asked to provide details of referees when I registered. On speaking to the recruiter yesterday, she did tell me she would be looking for refs, only I didn't expect her to do so straight away.

I then got an e-mail from my old employer saying that they could not release any information without my written consent. So I replied, giving that consent.

Eoin

Personally I think they should have specifically asked that they could ring your referees, and only then when an offer is on the table. Do you want them being rung each time you go to an interview? I wouldn't. I'd follow up with them and ask if the company had requested a reference check, and if so, what does that mean - is the telephone interview the last stage before they make an offer?

ABajaninCork

As I understood it from the interviewer, the telephone interview is the last step before it goes to HR, for an offer to be made...

I'll take this up with the agency after the call. Don't want to rock the boat!!

Thanks very much!:)