reference problem for government job

olias

Hi, quick background:

I haven't worked since April 2007, I moved overseas with my wife to start a university degree course later that year. Unfortunately my wife became seriously ill and I could not start the course and we returned to the UK in May 2008. After a stay in hospital by my wife, I remained off work caring for her until now when she is well enough for me to consider a return to work.

I have recieved a job offer (subject to references, checks etc). It's all a bit last minute as the previous candidate pulled out and so rather than a month or so to sort things, I have had 2 days - was only notified yesterday! I have recieved instruction/training manuals today, successfully completed a short e-learning course and assessment and am due to attend classroom training on Friday.

Am all set apart from references. I obviously cannot provide employment reference (they require it to be in the last three years, and besides which, I had to take my previous employer to an ET and so not keen on them being contacted for obvious reasons!) They state they will allow personal/character reference if no employment history (usual thing, must be from a judge, doctor, solicitor, bank manager etc). Unfortunately the referee must have known you for at least 3 years. I have only been back in the UK for less than 2 years and know nobody appropriate.

The employer is the government (job with the census 2011 team), and so I am sure they will be quite rigid with their requirements. Does anyone have any ideas of how I could get around this problem? Thanks.

Olias

olias

Bump...hoping for some ideas pretty quick on this one!

Olias

MrsManda

Is there anyone who knew you when you last lived in the UK who you've hooked up with again since you came back? Is there anyone you knew when you were overseas who'd give you a character reference?
Friends with appropriate job titles, friends of your family who've known you for awhile?

olias

Unfortunately not, we are now living in a different part of the country and have no contacts from before. No appropriate family friends. We are quite loners, so don't have may close friends (quite happy that way, were not just billy no mates!)

...Olias

MrsManda

I know what you mean, we're a bit like that. Do you know what they need from you in terms of a reference?

elsien

I think I'd go back to them, explain your situation and see how flexible they're prepared to be with their requirements.
Did you have a landlord while you were abroad who might confirm where you were, and you are who you say are? Would help to fill in the gaps if nothing else. Any contact you've had with anyone in your caring role who might be prepared to vouch for you, GP, nurse etc? They may not know you well enough to be able to say much, but on the basis that you're getting desperate, it's got to be better than nothing.
Did you win your ET? If so, you could give that as a reason for not being able to contact them, which is better than a suspicious looking gap.
Would your bank be able to give a reference - have you been with a high street branch for any length of time? Not a personal one obviously, but again something that confirms your id and shows that you're not a money launder etc? I'm guessing they want to see you are an honest upstanding citizen who's not going to be fiddling the figures, as much as anything.

olias

Hi, thanks for all your comments.

I think what I will do is hang fire till the classroom training day tommorrow and discuss it with them there. Miight be easier to explain face to face rather than to some random person at the end of a telephone line who probably will just have a tick box to fill.

I should be able to provide a reference from the senior health care worker who has been involved with my wifes illness, as we now know her well (18 months of home and hospital visits etc), and can provide evidence of time overseas etc etc. Hopefully after explaining my situation, then this will suffice.

Oh, and I did win the ET!:D

Olias