I have worked with a number of clients over the years, and invariably, after a few months together, they offer me a more permanent role.
Frequently, during those discussions, I ask about my predecessors who filled the role (if there were any) and it is a rare hiring manger, project manager or client who can say something good about the person who was filling those shoes.
They were useless.
They were a bozo.
They were shit.
And that… is why I turned down your offer (no matter how generous) of making this a more permanent arrangement.
And why I didn’t put you on my list of past clients that people can use to verify my work.
And why I won’t be asking you (I always ask) for a short letter of recommendation that I can use when future clients come calling.