Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

I had my first interview in Oz on last Monday

Interview was for a particular job, & was with the agency.

Agency told me that client has been a long standing friend.

Client was disclosed. Evening I came to know that my referees had been contacted by email & by now they had responded.

It's been 4 days after the interview. No calls. No mails.

Should I just forget it?

Or call them?:confused:

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

Call them...

If they've checked references the job should be yours (assuming your referees dont respond with "Who?.. no - I have no idea who you're talking about..."). Its considered extremely unprofessional to contact referees unless you are seriously thinking of recruiting the candidate and in some cases could be considered unethical to do so. (Anyone contacting a current employer as a referee before beign pretty certain they are offering the job is a recruiment low-life and deserves to find themselves jobless in no time).

In all likelyhood, they are offering you the job but theres some bureacratic red-tape within the organisation slowing things down. Calling is completely acceptable.

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

I'd give the agency a call myself. Depends what they said in the interview. It's only normal to get references if they want you for the position, so unless your references give bad ones I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Just give them a speculative call, ask what the process is or when you would expect to hear if you were successful or not.

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

Thanks for both u. I ve vacated my earlier post since here I’m on a fresh start on a permanent visa.

Sent a mail. Had a reply saying that client's manager is on a training session & asking me to hold further.

As Dadagain said what if they turn down after checking references!? It’s humiliating. I know my both references are former bosses I depend on them & they personally told me that they had received correspondence too!:ohmy:

Prob is this holds my life too. Since I find other opportunities to look for this sound no good for me.

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

Just sounds typically Australian - they don't rush with job applications, and if the person signing it off (manager or whoever) is on training or leave or something it will just sit on hold till he/she gets back. We had one at our place recently (Qld Govt) which waited over 3 weeks from referee checking to the successful candidate being told, purely due to leave on the part of one of the panel. I'm afraid thats just the way it works.

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

Sent a mail. Had a reply saying that client's manager is on a training session & asking me to hold further.


It sounds to me like the Agency are proposing you to their client and the client has said something like "sounds good can you check the references" and may have asked a specific question they want checking.

I think it fairly unusual to be offered a role without seeing the client, but that may depend on the seniority of the role. However, I would keep seeking a role until you have a formal letter of offer.

Good Luck :fingerscrossed:

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

Hi Polly.

Concern is advertisement said 'immediate'.client is private entity.

Imagine where both referees gave polsitives for their concerns, what is your guess of my chances of success?

Position is neither junior nor very senior!

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

I wouldn't even like to hazard a guess, sorry.

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

They usually go to referees for all candidates that are interviewed in my experience, not just the one that gets the job. Also I wouldnt be expecting a reply for a good couple of weeks.

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

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.

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

I am in OZ for only 14 days now. I got an nominal offer from a small company to start up my Aussie career. I got this, without any agent's help. But an agent that I had been in contact with is telling me to hold up as I am technically proficient and they can easily get a better job for me. I have to say yes or no to the employer on Monday(today Friday) and this agent just keeps me hanging with big company names...I don't know what to do!!!!:confused:

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

You haven't had an interview Charw, you have had a meeting with an agent. I would be very surprised at being asked to provide references after a meeting with an agent and agree with dadagain, they probably could not make up their mind about you, but still at least they did decide you are worth checking out.

You might hear something further, you might not. But I think you are perfectly entitled to chase up an agent that has done your reference checking.

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

Well how confident are you? Has the agent got something specific in mind? If so maybe you just play for time, but I would definitely be thinking a bird in the hand and all that...

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

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..:(

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

What? :confused: 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!

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

huhuh...same happened to me charw...early morning about 8am, I was still in jet lag, he called me up from bed and started asking me questions about Database performance tuning, I really doubt if he had any idea whatsoever about what he was asking ..:rofl:

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

Oh no...here we go again:unsure:

For information, sometimes the agencies do reference checks and sometimes the companies do it themselves an just because they reference check you it doesn't mean you 100% get the job.

Be patient and if it's meant to be, it will be yours mate:thumbup:

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

Agents do not make decisions, but they will vet you and weed out the less desirable candidates so the company does not have to see as many.

Actually, the agent I got my job thru did my reference checking, but not before I had met with the company three times and they offered me the role, discussed salary etc. Then they had the agent do the references. But I would not have allowed an agent to check references in other circumstances, like you I would not wish to waste other people's time.

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

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

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

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.

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

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...

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

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...

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

I agree, it's crazy. Recruitment agencies are flesh peddlers and most of the time someone is doing the initial interview and has no idea of the specialist field you work in. And don't start with the bloody psychometric testing:mad:

That's why I prefer to go direct to the company themselves:thumbup:

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

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. :o

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

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

You like psychometric testing:blink:

maybe you should be in recruitment mate:lol:

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

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

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

Exacty, you have 18 years experience and exams to demonstrate your capabilities and then a 3 hrs psycho test as well as interview with recruiters and the company themselves:rolleyes:

If someone in the company who knows something about your role interviewed you direct they'd work out in seconds whether you knew your stuff or not. The reason these bloody recruiters use these tests is to get them off the hook and bring in extra cash for testing:thumbdown:

And it's the bloody time it takes to test that's a nightmare too mate...I mean....3 hrs! I once did one for 8 hrs and it took up the whole day :eek: I could have been in the pub:frown:

I love Aus but the recruitment process I've seen in all the years I've been here is generally speaking worse than shite :thumbdown:

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

Can mods merge with other thread on "No local experience- then you re in data base" since both describe common grounds for stupidity of agencies & skilled program alike:p

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

It sounds like an agency interview - and I'm not clear from reading your first post.

A good answer and I agree.

As references have not been checked before in the past, I was actually quite surprised here in Melbourne when references have been checked. But anyway - nothing to hide as the bloke giving the references has been primed beforehand in any case. He scratches my back - and I return the favour next time - without laying it on too thick - of course.:)

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

U don't get it do you? Most of the jobs posted in seek and mycareer by these agencies are madeups just to get cv's. they don't really have specific positions on offer from any company. Once they find someone that they think might be salable, then they start running around with his cv from company to company. It took me only 2 weeks to understand their game.

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

Absolute rubbish. If the jobs you have applied for on seek were not real jobs then you have either been very unlucky or arguably you have been fobbed off because agents have taken one look at you and been put off by your attitude.

You have got a job in 2 weeks but have done nothing but whinge and moan about how hard done by you have been and how difficult it is for newcomers to find work and how prejudiced everyone is against you. Did you expect to be met off the plane by hoards of people competing with each other to sign you up or something? :rolleyes:

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

It a well known fact that 40% of the jobs on the job boards are use by the agents to troll to gain work. What normally happens, they call an applicantion up, and ask where they have interviewed, and about references.

Once the application gives the information on where they interviewed, the agent calls the company up and sells other people.

When an agent asks you for references in even before you have been submit to a job, it a sign they are trolling.(I have lost references due to this). A good agent will ask for reference once you have near the final stages on the recruitment process,"

I have encountered the same tricks with Australian agents as that as ones in europe. I know all the tricks

Best excuse i have had heard is " due to the snow, the manager is not going forward

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

As you rightly said,after this agent's act I m running risk of losing my references too. Will my former boss, director of a large MNC, have time to respond to time wasting emails for non confirmed jobs.

Just fed up of this. This time no way for snow. It's training for which could have otherwise being "immediate":p

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

You do need to be more discerning about when you let people check your references. I am sure mine would not have wanted to have to take calls at 7am in the UK every week. Put that one down to experience.

Still I will maintain that this "all or most of the jobs on seek are made up" is rubbish mainly spouted by people a little bitter because they have not been successful. I made several enquiries on seek when I was still in the UK and was called back about every job, certainly no agent was fishing for information from me as I was still in the UK. The job I ended up getting was on seek, the job I was offered but turned down was on seek and my husband's job was also advertised on seek (although that was not where he first heard of it).

There is no harm in being wary of agents but as an accountant Charw, you are going to have to find a way to forge positive and professional relationship. Being negative and slagging off everyone in the profession isn't going to get you anywhere.

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

@Bermuda, I am not such a selfish guy to think of only myself, lot of my friends are already here for few months and some are about to come. The industry and the Govt. itself should look at itself and decide how they are gonna welcome us.This is bulllllshittt man. If you are really running out of skilled people and you really need outsiders then why don't they just arrange a training and teach about this Local ways of running business for the new recruits. Instead of making people frustrated. The govt\DIAC itself is spending a lot of time and money for selecting and smoothing the process of bringing in Engineers. And if those engineers come here and work in the shops, loose their technical edge and some of them go back or move to some other countries, whose loss would it be?

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

Mate, Australia doesn't care. Tradies give up a good life in UK and some of them have to go back to training once they arrive in Aus in order to do their job out here. Some of them have run successful busineses in UK and also think Aus is behind the times in the training etc. It doesn't matter....it is what it is regardless as to how frustrating. The only way to come to terms with it is to recognise how it's done here and work within the system and that way you'll enjoy your new life for what it is mate:thumbup:

Build a bridge and get over it mate, it's Straya and they don't pull out any red carpet just because you think you deserve it. Harsh as it is, it is what it is mate.

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

@Bermuda. I strongly disagree with your comments. I ve not landed from a first world luxury like UK but DIAC gave the authority to come here & work. But after visa why it's quite large number of my friends who have come here waste their professional life in cleaning, factories/Super markets etc.

Gov invite skilled to come here & just dump here to queue up in Centerlink forever for many. You may be already excempt but its not the case for majority.

As shuno27 says why there isn't any bridging programs to at least to attract/train/sponsor new comers to gain necessary skills. Look around & see how many landed here have lost faith in the way skilled people program is functioning. I found many decided to go back/already back without wasting time here.


Look at the Birell report for accountants alone done . Governments has admitted accountants pathway alone being a failure .

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

:banghead:

And they say poms are whingers:lol:

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

@sonely..Yup mate thats the attitude, to understand the problems and deal with and share it with other people who are coming here. I got private msg from several members here appreciating the fact that I am bold enough to put up this issue and warn them how to prepare. You have been understanding, but there are some stubborns who are not at all ready to accept what is wrong as wrong and dying to support the things as it is. My experience gives me the impression that australia is not suffering from shortage of skilled immigrants, but skilled recruiters, DIAC should really think about bringing in some smart HR people now.

@charw: I completely agree with you. This is just unprofessional and idiotic attitude by the agents and corporates. Why don't they introduce :confused: trainee\intern scheme and introduce people to how they do it and if people fail to impress then say you are not cut for it..instead of saying no with a 5 minute tele-call. I just can't understand how u judge the skills of an Engineer in a short telephone call..

Re: Interviewed, References checked. But?
 

Hi Sonly. I’m not kidding mate. It’s their lives. Hopes, families. Parents, & finally morale.

It's the hardest thing to digest for many that its someone's life being robbed & cannot be compared to dumped product in foreign market.