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 )

Ytaya

I'd go with academic references from lecturers, and possibly also peers on the same course for personal references. Have you done any work placements as part of your course? You could approach people you worked for on a placement for references.

lellie

Go with 2 academic references or an academic one and a personal one from a family friend or similar. Or if you've done any extra curricular things from them - eg. the editor from our student paper will do me a reference if I wanted it.

Savvy_Sue

Don't stress about not having recent references just after graduating, even in your field.

If your previous work experience is relevant to what you are likely to apply for, then see if you can track someone down who will give you one. but if you can't, don't worry, consider your networks and use your personal tutor plus whoever - religious leader, family friend (not a relative!), anyone really who knows enough to say good things about you on a personal level.

jay11_2

Good advice, I never thought about personal refs as I've always had professional ones available, thanks:beer: