References - Been asked to give one

[ChristianZS]

Had an outside contractor ring up asking me to give him a reference for a contract he's after.

The guy is a grafter, etc..

What are the do's and dont's when giving a reference? Likely to be over the phone

[vxr8mate]

Just don't offer subjective opinions that could be considered detremental. Best to offer a written one so avoiding any misquotes etc. Just remember whatever you offer may need to be proven if required (i.e. attendace records etc). Or you could just play it safe and confirm any dates worked and leave it at that, but if he was a grafter just confirm that.

[Tony*T3]

Easiest reference you can give: Would you employee him yourself again? Sounds like you would, so just say so.

[ChristianZS]

I will offer a written one and then I can get the HR Guru at work to check it over.

Thanks

[ALawson]

Don't say anything that you wouldn't say in court.

[Fittster]

Lots of companies ban personal references these days.

[Silver993tt]

The best thing to state in any reference if you have had no problem with the person in question is to saythat they completed all of their tasks satisfactorily while under your employ/contract. That is all that is required.

[elster]

Silver993tt said:

The best thing to state in any reference if you have had no problem with the person in question is to saythat they completed all of their tasks satisfactorily while under your employ/contract. That is all that is required.

If I saw a reference like that I would think the person was crap and thus avoid using them.

A bit more upbeat than satisfactory if you think he is worth it.

[ChristianZS]

Well he's on an ad-hoc basis with coming in.

Never been late, charges well under market rate, knows pretty much anything you ask.

[Silver993tt]

elster said:

Silver993tt said:

The best thing to state in any reference if you have had no problem with the person in question is to saythat they completed all of their tasks satisfactorily while under your employ/contract. That is all that is required.

If I saw a reference like that I would think the person was crap and thus avoid using them.

A bit more upbeat than satisfactory if you think he is worth it.

We do the opposite and if we see a reference that's all singing and dancing we get suspicious. The standard in our industry (business related IT) is to specify all is satifactory.

[elster]

Silver993tt said:

elster said:

Silver993tt said:

The best thing to state in any reference if you have had no problem with the person in question is to saythat they completed all of their tasks satisfactorily while under your employ/contract. That is all that is required.

If I saw a reference like that I would think the person was crap and thus avoid using them.

A bit more upbeat than satisfactory if you think he is worth it.

We do the opposite and if we see a reference that's all singing and dancing we get suspicious. The standard in our industry (business related IT) is to specify all is satifactory.

I suppose, I can only say for in engineering sector.

[Silver993tt]

elster said:

Silver993tt said:

elster said:

Silver993tt said:

The best thing to state in any reference if you have had no problem with the person in question is to saythat they completed all of their tasks satisfactorily while under your employ/contract. That is all that is required.

If I saw a reference like that I would think the person was crap and thus avoid using them.

A bit more upbeat than satisfactory if you think he is worth it.

We do the opposite and if we see a reference that's all singing and dancing we get suspicious. The standard in our industry (business related IT) is to specify all is satifactory.

I suppose, I can only say for in engineering sector.

To be honest, a reference is usually pretty worthless. If someone can get a reference it can be bigged up/inflated by a friendly ex-work "colleague". We normally try and contact the last 3 companies that the person has detailed on their CV (depending on time spent at each). Very few people I know bother to do that but it's the best way to get an idea without seeing the person first. Can take a bit of work but pays dividends usually.

Edited by Silver993tt on Monday 9th March 18:15

[elster]

Silver993tt said:

elster said:

Silver993tt said:

elster said:

Silver993tt said:

The best thing to state in any reference if you have had no problem with the person in question is to saythat they completed all of their tasks satisfactorily while under your employ/contract. That is all that is required.

If I saw a reference like that I would think the person was crap and thus avoid using them.

A bit more upbeat than satisfactory if you think he is worth it.

We do the opposite and if we see a reference that's all singing and dancing we get suspicious. The standard in our industry (business related IT) is to specify all is satifactory.

I suppose, I can only say for in engineering sector.

To be honest, a reference is usually pretty worthless. If someone can get a reference it can be bigged up/inflated by a friendly ex-work "colleague". We normally try and contact the last 3 companies that the person has detailed on their CV (depending on time spent at each). Very few people I know bother to do that but it's the best way to get an idea without seeing the person first. Can take a bit of work but pays dividends usually.

Edited by Silver993tt on Monday 9th March 18:15

Well with a lot of engineering works a lot of it is actually the reference to please HR, rather than anyone really involved in the work, as it usually is people you have worked with before or through a friend recommendation.

Think a lot of references is BS, as you can't say anything bad anymore.

[Iain328]

Standard one-liner.

Anybody who can get Fred Blogs to work for them will be extremely lucky.

(Read that anyway you please )

[Jasandjules]

ChristianZS said:

Had an outside contractor ring up asking me to give him a reference for a contract he's after.

The guy is a grafter, etc..

What are the do's and dont's when giving a reference? Likely to be over the phone

Would you employ him again? If so, then that's a fundamental point. And realistically the most important one? If he turned up each day on time and worked hard etc. then mention it. If his workmanship was good then mention that?

I assume you are happy to give a good reference - write it down, then just advise that you will read it out when you take the call.