References - Help!

Hesty

I raised a point about references in another thread I posted earlier today. But as it's pretty much a separate question I thought I would put the question into another thread, apologies if that's the wrong thing to do.

Anyway. I'm applying for a job at a school (as an advice and guidance councillor) and it says on the for that I should; "Give the names of at least two persons who are able to comment on your suitability for this post. One must be you present or last employer".

However I haven't worked in 5 years (because of serious illness and University) and I'm not sure that the company I last worked for (Morrisons) will provide me with a reference so long after I left (and I think they only provide them within 3 years anyway). Not only that but as I was working my notice for them they were going through a company take over (Safeway to Morrisons) so I'm not even sure that they'll have a record of me at all.

So what do I do? Should I just go ahead and put some other references (I have some from University and elsewhere). Or do I just have to give up on this job (which I don't want to do) because I can't get a reference from my last job?

Savvy_Sue

I've answered a bit on your other thread, but I didn't realise at that stage that Morrisons / Safeway were your most recent employer: I assumed there that they weren't.

A new employer wants, more than anything, a meaningful reference which confirms your suitability for the job. They're unlikely to check your full work history, but if your last employer checks out, that's a good start.

So the ideal situation is if you are still able to contact your manager personally. But I realise that may not be possible. the next thing is to find out if you WOULD get a reference from Morrisons / Safeway, although I'd be surprised if it did more than confirm the dates you worked there.

So, in the absence of that, I'd supply your university reference, plus the best 'other' reference you can offer, and add a note explaining that you can't get one from Morrisons / Safeway.

What sort of reference is your 'other' referee? I had good ones from voluntary work last time I did serious job hunting. Ideally you want more than a 'personal' reference, someone who's seen you in action in some relevant areas is ideal of course ...

But no, of course you don't give up on this job just because you don't have a recent employer's reference.

choccyface

i'm having a similar nightmare - i gave up work 6yrs ago to have my children - i worked full time in a bank. Now i'm applying for a job in a school - i'm currently a self employed auditor - I can't provide a "current reference" and doubt if the bank will do anything other than a generic one. I know people who can give references about me personally - people of standing - ie police officer etc but they arent what is asked for on the form.

Also, how do you answer religious questions on an interview? part of the job spec is to be sympathetic to the catholic faith? i'm c of e, hubby is catholic and he hasnt a clue how to answer it!

SarEl

I am not surprised your husband doesn't know how to answer it! There shouldn't be any in-depth questions. Although faith schools are allowed to ask such questions (whilst other employers obviously aren't) it will generally be as broad as that - are you sympathetic to the Catholic faith. You might say that whilst you are not Catholic yourself, you are a practicing Christian, your husband is Catholic, and you have friends of many faiths and of none, and that you do not use labels to determine who is a good or a bad person. or words to that effect. Catholic schools rarely have only Catholic pupils - around where I live they are immensely popluar with Muslim parents for their ethos and academic records. So they should not ask anything much more than a broad question.

Having said that, I have very occasionally heard of people who have been asked some very disturbing and dificult questions, such as their attititude to abortion. In these cases what you say is really up to you, but you might stick to something along the lines of the fact that you consider such matters to be private and do not discuss them with anyone, if you feel that you are on shaky ground. Not a problem if you happen to be opposed to it, but these days that isn't a common stance and most people have much more complex feelings about such matters - if this applies to you, best avoid the question as suggested!

LittleMrsThrifty

I would call Morrisons and ask whether they are able to provide you with a reference confirming your dates of employment etc. If so I would put them down as it is not uncommon for companies not to offer subjective references anyway. You could put a note in your covering letter explaining the situation and offering an additional reference.

If they are not able to offer anything then think about who else you could use. Is there the option of a tutor at university or have you done any voluntary work even?

The other option is that you put down the Morrisons HR department regardless and if these school find they can't get a reference as its been too long etc they will probably contact you and ask for an alternative which you can provide.

I think most jobs have the issue of needing most recent employer to give a reference so you will probably come across this again.

Savvy_Sue

choccyface wrote: »

i'm having a similar nightmare - i gave up work 6yrs ago to have my children - i worked full time in a bank. Now i'm applying for a job in a school - i'm currently a self employed auditor - I can't provide a "current reference" and doubt if the bank will do anything other than a generic one. I know people who can give references about me personally - people of standing - ie police officer etc but they arent what is asked for on the form.

Would one of your clients be willing to give a reference? That would be as good as an employer one, IMO.

choccyface wrote: »

Also, how do you answer religious questions on an interview? part of the job spec is to be sympathetic to the catholic faith? i'm c of e, hubby is catholic and he hasnt a clue how to answer it!

That's worth saying in answer to that question. We often ask a 'faith' question because we are an organisation with a Christian ethos. Not all our staff or volunteers are Christians, but we need a tolerant attitude, eg if someone suggests a moment of quiet before a shift, it's not very helpful if someone refuses because they suspect (or know!) that some people are using that time to pray silently.

Premier_2

Hesty wrote: »

I raised a point about references in another thread I posted earlier today. But as it's pretty much a separate question I thought I would put the question into another thread, apologies if that's the wrong thing to do.

Anyway. I'm applying for a job at a school (as an advice and guidance councillor) and it says on the for that I should; "Give the names of at least two persons who are able to comment on your suitability for this post. One must be you present or last employer".

However I haven't worked in 5 years (because of serious illness and University) and I'm not sure that the company I last worked for (Morrisons) will provide me with a reference so long after I left (and I think they only provide them within 3 years anyway). Not only that but as I was working my notice for them they were going through a company take over (Safeway to Morrisons) so I'm not even sure that they'll have a record of me at all.

So what do I do? Should I just go ahead and put some other references (I have some from University and elsewhere). Or do I just have to give up on this job (which I don't want to do) because I can't get a reference from my last job?

As per my advice given in your other thread on this subject
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=33715763&postcount=13

If Morrisons were your last employer then, if they are willing to provide you a reference, you should include them as per the requirements of the application form.

If they won't provide you a reference, I would suggest you contact the prospective new employer to discuss the situation over who they will accept as suitable referees.

marmitequeen

choccyface wrote: »

Also, how do you answer religious questions on an interview? part of the job spec is to be sympathetic to the catholic faith? i'm c of e, hubby is catholic and he hasnt a clue how to answer it!

I work in a Catholic school. We ask the faith question - quite often call it 'the God stuff' because anyone we employ has to be comfortable with the prayer and other 'God stuff'. All you will have to say is you support the ethos of the school.

choccyface

thanks for the replies-very much appreciated. I've asked the chairperson of the PTFA whom I'm secretary for if she can provide a reference if needbe, as the form says voluntary work is acceptable for providing references.

Savvy_Sue

Excellent suggestion. And definitely 'sell' your voluntary experience, it's as good as employed experience IMO!

Heck, only today I was pointing out to my manager that the experience I got through voluntary work makes a very significant contribution to the skills I bring to the job today - and I've been in it for 10 years!