Providing references Thread poster: Josephine Cassar
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Hello all, I would like to know if you ask an agency that you are going to put their email address, name as a reference when you are asked to provide references? I think in a way, it is polite to ask or at least inform the agency you worked for that you are providing their details as references, but at the same time, if you have done jobs for that agency or even for other private people, surely, you can put down their names as references> I would appreciate feedback, as I prefer to do things the... See more Hello all, I would like to know if you ask an agency that you are going to put their email address, name as a reference when you are asked to provide references? I think in a way, it is polite to ask or at least inform the agency you worked for that you are providing their details as references, but at the same time, if you have done jobs for that agency or even for other private people, surely, you can put down their names as references> I would appreciate feedback, as I prefer to do things the correct way and not irritate people or break any confidentiality rules. Many thanks ▲ Collapse
| | | | John Fossey 
Canada
Local time: 20:43
Member (2008)
French to English
+ ...
| How about WWA? | May 7, 2013 |
Personally, I don't provide references directly, for confidentiality reasons. A number of my clients have made WWA entries and I refer inquirers to these, since those clients have themselves chosen to publicly identify themselves. I point out that by clicking on the link in their WWA entry the inquirer can contact the reference directly to request more information if they wish.
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Of course you have to ask the agencies before you use them as references, and you should also tell them about what kind of cooperation or job it is for. You don't want your references to be direct competitors of your prospects, right?
In general I am not very fond of agencies that ask for references, since they expect us to respect the full privacy of our business with them, while at the same time require us to tell t... See more Of course you have to ask the agencies before you use them as references, and you should also tell them about what kind of cooperation or job it is for. You don't want your references to be direct competitors of your prospects, right?
In general I am not very fond of agencies that ask for references, since they expect us to respect the full privacy of our business with them, while at the same time require us to tell them about our business with others. Does not sound like a very healthy way of starting a sound business partnership. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Kay Denney
France
Local time: 02:43
French to English
| Totally agree with Tomás | May 7, 2013 |
In a completely different field, someone once cited me as a person she had babysat for. Not only did she not ask me beforehand, but it wasn't even true: I didn't even have any children at the time. Had she asked me, I would have provided at least a character reference, saying she was reliable, honest or whatever. Since she didn't bother to ask me, I simply told the mother that she was doing the right thing checking the references and that the person could not be trusted.
I was asked... See more In a completely different field, someone once cited me as a person she had babysat for. Not only did she not ask me beforehand, but it wasn't even true: I didn't even have any children at the time. Had she asked me, I would have provided at least a character reference, saying she was reliable, honest or whatever. Since she didn't bother to ask me, I simply told the mother that she was doing the right thing checking the references and that the person could not be trusted.
I was asked for references by translators, when I was a PM, and I happily gave glowing ones. Luckily it was only the best translators who ever asked me! The translators in question got wonderfully interesting and well-paid jobs at the international court in the Hague and the European Parliament, and of course could no longer fit in my piddly poorly paid jobs. No regrets though since they thoroughly deserved everything and I was happy for them. And of course I found other translators who were competent. ▲ Collapse
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Sheila Wilson
Spain
Local time: 01:43
Member (2007)
English
+ ...
| You could maybe ask for WWA | May 7, 2013 |
No way should you ever cite a client as a reference without obtaining their express permission, that's for sure.
Personally, I wouldn't actually ask a client for a WWA entry, but they're more than welcome to leave feedback if they wish. I would ask if they were free to say whatever they liked, but as they can only leave positive feedback it doesn't seem entirely appropriate to ask, IMO. Not that I'm expecting any bad feedback ... See more No way should you ever cite a client as a reference without obtaining their express permission, that's for sure.
Personally, I wouldn't actually ask a client for a WWA entry, but they're more than welcome to leave feedback if they wish. I would ask if they were free to say whatever they liked, but as they can only leave positive feedback it doesn't seem entirely appropriate to ask, IMO. Not that I'm expecting any bad feedback but I think I'd use the BB a lot less, if at all, if we were only allowed to make positive entries. A bit too much like fawning to me - I don't like doing it so I don't like to put my clients in that same position. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Josephine Cassar
Malta
Local time: 02:43
Member (2012)
English to Maltese
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER | Different views | May 7, 2013 |
Thank you all, you provided valuable feedback, some confirmed my own opinions, did well to ask, but also new viewpoints I had not considered. the problem is that when you have just started, you will not have had any positive WWAs but no negatives, either, so that is a plus that can be used, but I pointed out the confidentiality issue which applies to them too as well as that some might be competitors, and now will see. Thank you all, appreciate feedback, all very valuable
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