References

jay11_2

What do students / graduates /people who haven't worked for a while, do about refererences? I'm on an NHS course and all my job experience is care related so employers likely to be (rightly so) very particular.
I was previously self-employed as a childminder but due to cross-country move/heavy marital stuff & coursework have not 'worked' or even socialised much for 3.5 years. I'll get an academic reference on graduation (if I make it:rolleyes: ) but would like to work now & worried sick about how to get a job without references/references without a job, even when I graduate (surely 3.5-year-old refs wouldn't be of use to any employer, even if any clients who haven't seen me for 3yrs will give me one )

Lucy1982_2

When I graduated I used an old employer (I'd worked for him on and off for 5 years) and one of my lecturers. As you'll be submitting with your CV I wouldn't have thought any employer would question this.

I know I wouldn't. Studying is a good reason not to be working.

Uniscots97

You can also get a character reference from a respected local business person (even friend of the family) or religious leader (minister/priest etc). I used a character reference and a few old job references after I graduated.

I've also acted a character reference for neighbours children (students) when they've applied for jobs.