Originally Posted by charw

What? I d rather confused when agency do the background checking.
If he has no power in decision making to hire why doesn't he leave it to company? .
Agent was one with accounting background & infact it was several technical questions.!

In case I m not selected he has wasted not only mine but my former bosses time too!

Originally Posted by sonlymewalter

Some agents do reference checking before they put you on to the company so as not to waste company time. It's comon practice.

Originally Posted by Bermudashorts

No agent will be reference checking me before I have a job offer in hand and have decided to accept it. I care more about wasting my time and more to the point my referee's time. If an agent wants to do things differently then they won't be representing me.

Originally Posted by sonlymewalter

And that's your choice mate. It's not uncommon for recruitment agencies to do a ref check before they put a candidates name forward as they'd look pretty stupid to send someone for an interview, only to find their UK references don't pan out if they were to be successful. Just a different way of doing things I guess...

Originally Posted by Bermudashorts

Indeed it is my choice. The reference thing is bluddy stupid anyway IMHO, like I would put somebody forward as a reference that is not going to give me a glowing report.

This country is reference mad. I was asked to provide five years of employer details, plus two personal references plus authority for credit checking just to hire some cheap furniture (that I said I would pay up front for) whilst I wait for my container the other day. Anyway I digress...

Originally Posted by sonlymewalter

And don't start with the bloody psychometric testing

Originally Posted by Bermudashorts

Yes I did two lots of testing (for jobs, not the furniture rental). Not had to do that since looking for my first role as a new graduate. But I quite liked that bit of the process.

Originally Posted by sonlymewalter

The recruitment agents get paid more for testing so of course testing is the best thing you can do to get the best candidate

You like psychometric testing

maybe you should be in recruitment mate

Originally Posted by Bermudashorts

I don't like psychometric testing as a concept, it seemed a bit odd to me as someone with 18 yrs experience in my area. I just love tests though. I did the second lot even though I had already more or less accepted first job and it was 3 hours worth! Lol

Originally Posted by shuvo27

yesterday he specifically told me about a company, where it is situated and told me to google about it. Even queried if it would be ok for me to travel to that place which is a bit far from me. and promised me to send a mail about the position instantly. then nothing, when I called this morning he said he is checking with other clients too, and I have to hold up..

Originally Posted by DadAgain

I've never had my references checked! My CV has "referees available on request" on it - but they've never been required. In 12 years and through 6 different employers (and many many interviews) in private sector, small consultancies, large global corporates, government departents etc etc...

When I've interviewed and been hiring for positions I havent checked references either - unless corporate policy has dictated it - in which case its only done after I've spoken to the candidate (or agent) and confirmed that they are 'in the box seat' just subject to final checks and some red-tape.

EDIT: Just read the OP again - and if you've only spoken to the agent you havent had an 'interview' yet - just a face-to-face meeting with an agent. If the agent has checked your references then either you come across as slightly dodgy or in some way questionable (are you non-caucasian for example and the agent unreasonably has quality and honesty concerns over your CV). Are you 'fresh off the boat' and therefore not to be trusted? (in which case reference check isnt so bad since clearly your overseas referees already know you've gone and teh need for appropriate discretion by a potential employer is not so great).

Face-to-face agent meetings are a pain. There may or may not be a job they're actually talking about - they may actually just be scoping you out to see if they can push you forward for other roles. Its a real pain in the butt part of the recruitment process. Hopefully in this case you will get an interview (once the client has finished his training course) - but dont hold your breath. Recruitment agents are full of positive talk - but very rarely come through with anything.