How do I find work with no refernces?

teabag29

I applied online just before the closing date for a part time assistant merchandiser job at my local Debenhams store yesterday to tide me over while I hopefully look into taking a PGCE course. Today I received a call to offer me a telephone interview next Wednesday. I am desperate to get back to work but really worried as even though im 32 I have next to no work experience.

I left school with 10 GCSE's but was pressurised by my parents to find employment and pay my way so I jumped into a dead end factory job for 2 years then left due to maternity and raised my children (I now have 4). Between then and now I have only had 1 job as an appropriate adult for the youth offending team and that ended in 2008. I have also studied and managed to get my access to higher education level 3 and a BAH degree in Criminology and some computer courses. I have also been home educating my daughter who has special needs.

The problem is everytime I look to finding a job I get stung with the usual 2 work references request....I have nobody to give me a reference because I have next to no work background which also poses a problem when asked what previous experience I have. Its a catch 22, I cant get experience until someone employs me and I cant seem to get employed without it. I dont have any friends where I live as we have moved alot and ive isolated my self alot over the past year being there for my daughter so a character reference idnt looking likely either. Any advice?

paulineb_2

Can you not ask the youth offending team to give you a reference.

My advice to you would also be, even if you only have a spare few hours, get out and volunteer somewhere, its another source of a reference

Or your course tutor? I asked one of my course tutors to give me a reference, because Ive had a lot of jobs where Ive been extremely unhappy and I wouldnt have asked for a reference from them if my life had depended on it

Theres always someone you can ask. Someone from your kids school, teacher?

RAS

Ask your course tutor to be a referee as thousands of other recent graduates have to do.

Ask them to comment on the skills needed to combine study and parenthood.

teabag29

Thanks, I assumed this wouldnt work seen as I got my degree in 2010 also most employers ask for a work reference, my last paid role ended in 2008

fluffnutter

References can come from any number of sources. Do you explain to prospective employers that you've been bringing up your daughter? I'd offer your tutor as a referee (with his/her permission of course) and someone from the youth offending team. That should be fine.

ilovelondontown

I would definately put down the course tutor and even a personal reference and someone from the youth offending team.

It shouldn't be the case but is so very often, that references aren't even checked, or when they are they literally want verfication that you are who you say you are and these people can do that.

You're obviously good enough on paper to get interviews and you're life experience will shine though. Any gaps in employment can be justified if you sell it the right way, something like:

I've spent many years dedicated to supporting my child with special needs, in my spare time I've done volunteer work and worked with the youth offending team, I've also taken the opportunity to further my education and now feel read to take on p/t- f/t employment and feel I've got a lot to offer you in this role.

sooty&sweep

Hi

I presume that when you applied you would have provided them with details of work experience etc and you've been doing with your time since yoh left school ? So they already know your work history !
Stop looking at negatives and start looking at the positives of the varied experience you have gained !
Raising 4 children including home educating one with special needs whilst also completing a degree has given you a vast amount of varied experience.
Jen

morganedge

I don't completely understand references.

I mean, don't you just give the names of the places that you've worked at, and then it's up to the people chasing the reference to speak to the HR department or something?

So, can't someone just put ''HR department of XYZ factory'' as a reference? Ideally with the name of the person who is the head of HR

double_mummy

get 2 cheap mobiles (and then sell on) 2 free sim cards and wait for the calls then answer in a fake voice and tell them how wonderful you are

only joking!

claire16c

Most places I've worked (including debenhams) haven't called the references until I've been working for them for a couple of weeks. I didn't call people's references when I was doing the hiring either I went on cvs and interviews.

Just put the ones people have suggested above, I wouldn't worry about it.

maman

morganedge wrote: »

I don't completely understand references.

I mean, don't you just give the names of the places that you've worked at, and then it's up to the people chasing the reference to speak to the HR department or something?

So, can't someone just put ''HR department of XYZ factory'' as a reference? Ideally with the name of the person who is the head of HR

AFAIK there's no obligation to provide references. In my line of work, you have to use named individuals and, as a courtesy, I've always asked them first before writing the names down.