Reference from old employer

C_Ronaldo

I left my previous job last year and at the time i didnt think to get a reference off them, ive started a new job recently and they have asked me to get a reference from old employers, i dont have a problem with that its just that its like a 45mins/1 hour drive to them, i thought about writing a letter to them but not sure on how to word it, could anyone help, id appreciate it

cazziebo

Just give your ex line manager a call, or the HR department and tell them your new employer is going to be in touch for a reference. Then pass the details to your new employer. They'll either call or write.

congrats on the new job!

LittleVoice

If you get a piece of paper from your previous employer and hand it over to the new employer, strictly speaking it is a "testimonial" and as an employer I’m not very interested in those. Is that what your new employers wants, a testimonial?

Given that your old employers would need to prepare the document, travelling to them to ask for it means you either would have to wait around for it or they could send it directly to the employer. If they send it directly to the employer, then it would becomes more like a reference. Would you new employer prefer that?

In either case, it would be much easier to do things in writing. In fact, it would be more usual for your new employer to write to your former one. They could send the letter and it would save you having to do the writing. However, in that case unless the previous employer was a large one with a dedicated HR department, I would phone whoever would give the reference and just let them know that a request would be coming from [name your new employer].

Having said all that, given that you have started work with the new employer it is a bit late in the day for them to be seeking a reference.

C_Ronaldo

The thing is i worked for aldi and i dont have the store number, as far as i knw they want a written reference(the first ref i gave them was a written one), i could phone the number thats on teh back of the aldi leaflets or i can write to the store i worked,

LittleVoice

I can see it is difficult trying to contact Aldi HR. If you were a Store Assistant rather than a Manager, then it seems from the website that the initial contact is with the local store when they are recruiting.

However, if you were a Manager, then it seems to depend on your region where you send your application form and therefore I would expect references could be dealt with on an area basis.

Which store did you work in?

C_Ronaldo

LittleVoice wrote: »

I can see it is difficult trying to contact Aldi HR. If you were a Store Assistant rather than a Manager, then it seems from the website that the initial contact is with the local store when they are recruiting.

However, if you were a Manager, then it seems to depend on your region where you send your application form and therefore I would expect references could be dealt with on an area basis.

Which store did you work in?

i was a store assistant, i knw the managers name if shes still there and i knw 2 of the assistant managers names too, i worked at the cheltenham store,

LittleVoice

It's really annoying that there is no phone contact number on the website. However, I'm guessing that your new employer is not too worried about the speed of a reply so wonderful Royal Mail will have to do.

The head office, as I'm sure you know, is:

Aldi Stores Ltd
Holly Lane
Atherstone
Warwickshire
CV9 2SQ

I would expect the Cheltenham store's regional office to be:

Aldi Stores Ltd
Wellington Road,
South Marston Park
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN3 4FN

but I'm not 100% sure.

Probably safest to write to the Head Office and address it to the Human Resources Department (I don't think they'd call it Personnel Department).

You (or preferably your employer) should quote your name and the inclusive dates of your employment at the Cheltenham store. They ought to be able to trace you from that. I would also hope that your employer will be satisfied with a fairly brief reference that just confirms your employment and isn't expecting a personal reference from a member of staff: I suspect they don't issue the latter type.

C_Ronaldo

The only number i know of is the 0870 number but im nt sure if they would be able to help, thanks little voice,

another thing is the letter

this is what i have so far,

Between april 06 and august 06 i worked at your cheltenham store, i enjoyed my time there very much and had worked wth some great people. As i have recently started work i require a reference from you, are you able to supply this

have i worded it right,


ps
little voice your right about the swindon address being the regional office

LittleVoice

How about:

Dear Sirs

Reference Request

Between April 2006 and August 2006 I worked as a Store Assistant at your Cheltenahm store. I enjoyed my time there very much and worked wth some great people.

As I have recently started work elsewhere, I have been asked to obtain a reference from you. Would you please either let me have a statement confirming my employment and trustworthiness so that I can show it to my employer or advise me as to whom my current employer should write to obtain a reference.

Yours faithfully


I would send it to whichever address you think would keep records. If it is the wrong one, they will just forward it to the correct place.

By asking for a statement, they might send you a "To Whom it May Concern" note which you could show to your employer and keep for use at a later date if you want.

I've included the bit about trustworthiness as a prompt to them to include this as well as simply confirming dates and job title.

It sounds as though you may now be working for a small organisation as I would normally expect them to want to contact Aldi direct to obtain a reference.

C_Ronaldo

cheers littlevoice

C_Ronaldo

LittleVoice

its been at least 2 weeks since i posted the letter, hw much longer do you reckon i should give it, i addressed it t the head office,