Asking for a testimonial as part of interview process

[magneze]

Is this normal now (or legal, for that matter) to have a prospective employer ask for a positive testimonial as part of the interview process?

This is coming from a recruitment consultant so naturally I'm somewhat skeptical immediately. They want it sent to them rather than the employer, so it's not a reference.

 

[rubbershoes]

I was dealing with recruitment agents earlier this year and none of them asked me for a testimonial.

It could be industry specific though

 

[equationgirl]

Have never been askedfor a testimonial although have offered peers that could speak to my work in addition to references.

 

[MickiQ]

I'm a freelancer myself, When I've applied for contracts both directly or via agencies they have sometimes asked to see a copy of my company accounts to prove I'm on the level or proof that I'm insured.
If you're applying for a permanent job via an agency I don't see why they would need anything other than references and increasingly companies are not asking for those anyway.
Mostly previous employers restrict themselves to "we confirm the person in question worked for us from date x to date y"
What do we mean by a testimonial anyway? a letter praising you as an all up honest dude?

 

[magneze]

I'm a freelancer myself, When I've applied for contracts both directly or via agencies they have sometimes asked to see a copy of my company accounts to prove I'm on the level or proof that I'm insured.
If you're applying for a permanent job via an agency I don't see why they would need anything other than references and increasingly companies are not asking for those anyway.
Mostly previous employers restrict themselves to "we confirm the person in question worked for us from date x to date y"
What do we mean by a testimonial anyway? a letter praising you as an all up honest dude?

I think so. The recruiter is claiming that the company is asking everyone for this which seems ... odd.

 

[Throbbing Angel]

This is LinkedIn's fault I reckon

 

[magneze]

This is LinkedIn's fault I reckon

Almost certainly.

 

[8ball]

Weird thing to ask for.

Anyone who has bought anything from Amazon knows that testimonials are bollocks anyway.

 

[cesare]

Weird thing to ask for.

Anyone who has bought anything from Amazon knows that testimonials are bollocks anyway.

Even before Amazon and other online reviews, testimonials never had any value. "To whom it may concern" never had any weight with employers.

 

[weltweit]

Normally references come after an interview and indicate that the employer is seriously considering you for the role.

I have references / testimonials on my LinkedIn so I would probably just refer the agency to them.

In a recent job process I was asked for references and phone numbers and the employer phoned and had conversations with my referees about me. Seemed to go ok because I got the job.

 

[danski]

magneze A++++++ Would employ again.

Use that if you want

 

[8ball]

Even before Amazon and other online reviews, testimonials never had any value. "To whom it may concern" never had any weight with employers.

Excellent post - made me pack in the drugs and turn my life around.

5 stars.

 

[magneze]

Even before Amazon and other online reviews, testimonials never had any value. "To whom it may concern" never had any weight with employers.

Which why I thought it weird that the recruiter says it's the employer asking..

 

[cesare]

Which why I thought it weird that the recruiter says it's the employer asking..

Probably recruiters desperate to try and add heft to their candidates.

 

[A380]

i don't know any professional footballers. let along 22 who would turn out to play a match just so that I could get a job...

 

[magneze]

Probably recruiters desperate to try and add heft to their candidates.

Yes, that's what I suspect. If they're claiming that the company is requesting this, it seems a bit unfair I thought.

 

[emanymton]

I've worked at the same company for 20 years. So dumb question.
What the hell is a testimonial and how is it different to a reference?

 

[magneze]

References are something that's normally checked once you have gone through the interview process to make sure you actually worked at the last place.

I've not seen a testimonal requested as part of a recruitment process and after some searching it doesn't appear common at all, hence the thread.

 

[weltweit]

If the role is important to you, then arrange a testimonial.

Just pick someone you worked with who will have a good opinion of you and ask them for one.

 

[Shippou-Sensei]

Go onto cameo and pay for a celebrity to hype you up.

Bootsy is less than £70

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www.cameo.com

 

[A380]

If the role is important to you, then arrange a testimonial.

Just pick someone you worked with who will have a good opinion of you and ask them for one.

Ask them to write to

Hive Mind Urbz
Care of Editor

We can knock you something up on here…