No references at all

Top_Banana_2

I'm looking for a job, currently.

The problem is I cannot supply a reference at all. 90% of the jobs I've had application forms for have asked for 2 or 3 references and stated that family/friends cannot be used.

I do not know any 'respected' people, such as coppers/nurses etc.

I can fill in an application pretty well, but I've hardly had an interview as I tell them that I can't provide a reference.

What can I do?

Sharon87

I know it's been over 10 years, but you could put your school down. They'll still have your records, even if no one was there when you were. They were my reference for my first job.

You could also do voluntary work for a while (charity shops.etc), who could then provide you with a reference.

McKneff

quote You could also do voluntary work for a while (charity shops.etc), who could then provide you with a reference. quote

Now that's a really good idea from Sharon, its not only experience you would be gaining but also personal self respect.
and - glad to hear you are well enough to work now.
Any job you apply for it would be wise to be honest and say exactly what you said here about being ill but now competely ish better, they would probably appreciate your honesty. There are also computer/it and many ohter courses courses specially designed for someone like yourself. (if you have had no experience) Good luck in your search and
Dont allow the job centre to palm you off, make them interested,

Scousebird_2

Your local DWP can give you a reference if you have been on benefits.

tink_the_stink

DWP can not give personel references only details of what benefits you've claimed & for how long, this would be sent direct to you & no employer would need this info

Savvy_Sue

tink_the_stink wrote: »

DWP can not give personel references only details of what benefits you've claimed & for how long, this would be sent direct to you & no employer would need this info

It would confirm, however, that what the OP says is true (ie they've been on benefits) rather than any more sinister explanation for their absence from the workplace.

I know it says friends can't be used, however I would say that you can use friends of the family in these circumstances, especially if any of them are of professional standing.

And if you have a good relationship with a GP, it might be worth asking if they would give a reference. They might be entitled to charge for it, but under the circumstances they might write something confirming that you'd been ill, that you'd worked hard to recover, and were now fit.

Emmzi

these days most companies want references to prove you havent been in prison!! so probably your benefits statement or, as Sue says, letter from GP, would do it.

Be aware it's going to be tougher for you than most to get a stary (which is not to say don't try). So look at temp work over Xmas (retail) volunteer work, maybe even a short college course. You need to demonstrate, by whatever means you can, that you are now able to stick to set hours of work and turn up and be reliable.

Very good luck!
xx

blue_monkey_2

If you get temporary work it can always lead to a permanant position in the company you go to as well.

We used to have some temps sent to us for busy periods and the same few guys came as they liked the work and got on with everyone who worked there. So these were the ones the company asked for if they could come. As soon as a position came up the company called the temping company and asked for these 2 guys to come in for that day and when they came then offered them full time positions within the company.

So even if it is temporary work give it your all as you never know where it might lead. Some of the temps just came in and hardly did anything, some even got sent home at lunchtime as they could not be bothered, some just walked out when they saw it was 'hard work'. It just goes to show really, if you show your worth then there may be something there for you without you even 'looking'.

Good luck on congratulations on your recovery.

Top_Banana_2

Thanks a lot for the replies.

I'm going to join a local college to do a ECDL computing course, and hopefully I will join an AAT accounting course, too. However, like everyone else, I need more money that the JSA provides- plus the jobcentre are breathing down my necl (quite rightly). That said, I've only been on the JSA for 3 signings on.

My hope is that once I've got on the ECDL course at the college, I can get a reference from the tutor.

Top_Banana_2

By the way, one question I wanted to ask.......

Could I put my aunt as a reference? As she has a different surname, I could say she was a family friend rather than a relative. Is this ethical?

Savvy_Sue

Generally I would avoid using blood relatives.

I'm trying to think of those I've suggested for my boys' first jobs: the pastor at church and a friend of the family who's known them ever since we moved here spring to mind. These people don't really know my boys well, so it's more of a 'nice lad, good family' kind of comment they can make.

Two of them have done paper rounds, either the free paper or the Sundays via the local shop, so that's another possible referee.

Oh, and one was a Venture Scout until he went to Uni, so that's another possible, did you do anything like that before you were ill?