Will many employers consider you without references?

kingslayer

I have been applying to jobs, but no responses. I did get one interview a couple months ago with BHS as store assistant, but didn't get the job. I think because i was very rusty and hadn't had a job interview for a long while that my nerves took over.

Anyway, do you think that employers will consider (even hire) you if you don't have references? I am working in a charity shop at the moment, but the manager says he likes to have people work there for a couple months or more before he provides references. I really don't want to wait that long before getting into paid employment.

I don't mind volunteering, but because I don't have a direct impact, it seems pointless to me. I am not directly helping the people in need, i'm basically just manning a till and dealing with customer queries.

I want to find paid employment, but how many employers will hire someone without work references?

the_donchichio

Tb brutally h, not many...its better to try and get some concrete references from somewhere

Look at it thisway, would you hire someone without some sort of assurance?

the_donchichio

And why on gods green earth would your current volunteering boss hold out on references??? That's a bummer

kingslayer

the_donchichio wrote: »

And why on gods green earth would your current volunteering boss hold out on references??? That's a bummer

I don't know, but I'm going to have to find some way of getting references. I am thinking of finding somewhere else that I can volunteer. Maybe voluntary services know people are just using them for references, so they want to hold out to see if people are committed.

I can't believe it either. I really need to get references to get some kind of work, even part time. I am looking at do.it.org website to see what vacancies are available elsewhere, maybe in an admin role or something similar.

kingslayer

I have only just signed on at the job centre, but I may have to see if they know any way I can get work without references. I'm not holding my breath though, as the job centre staff are not the most helpful/informative.

JimmyTheWig

kingslayer wrote: »

I'm going to have to find some way of getting references. I am thinking of finding somewhere else that I can volunteer.

If a company won't hire you without references then I doubt that they'd hire you with a reference that said you'd volunteered somewhere for a couple of weeks.
I'd say stick with the voluntary placement that you've got. After a couple of months there you'll have a reference that's worth having. Given that you've already started there the quickest way to get a couple of months somewhere under your belt is to stay where you are.

No reason not to apply for jobs in the meantime, though.
It gives yuo experience of the application process, gives you an idea of what jobs are out there. If you get to interview stage it gives you experience of interviews.
Then by the time that experience has paid off you should have your references and it should all come together for you...

Jitterbug123

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

If a company won't hire you without references then I doubt that they'd hire you with a reference that said you'd volunteered somewhere for a couple of weeks.
I'd say stick with the voluntary placement that you've got. After a couple of months there you'll have a reference that's worth having. Given that you've already started there the quickest way to get a couple of months somewhere under your belt is to stay where you are.

Strongly agree. Also, is there no family friend, or any employer you've had in the last 5 years, or a college tutor or anyone that you could ask for a reference?

gettingtheresometime

kingslayer wrote: »

I don't mind volunteering, but because I don't have a direct impact, it seems pointless to me. I am not directly helping the people in need, i'm basically just manning a till and dealing with customer queries.

So you'd be happy to dig a well (for example) but helping to raise the money to fund the digging is pointless?

if you can't see how the skills that you are learning (dealing with a difficult situation, using your initiative, show a potential employer that you don't want to sit on your bum all day etc) then there really is no hope.

But tbh, like so many of your threads, you just want it to fall in your lap without any effort on your part

mattcanary

the_donchichio wrote: »

And why on gods green earth would your current volunteering boss hold out on references??? That's a bummer

I agree with him to be honest - how can he know what the volunteers or paid staff there are really like after a week or two?

kingslayer

gettingtheresometime wrote: »

So you'd be happy to dig a well (for example) but helping to raise the money to fund the digging is pointless?

if you can't see how the skills that you are learning (dealing with a difficult situation, using your initiative, show a potential employer that you don't want to sit on your bum all day etc) then there really is no hope.

But tbh, like so many of your threads, you just want it to fall in your lap without any effort on your part

I can see how the skills are good for me, but yes it would be better help directly instead. If i wanted a job to fall in my lap i wouldn't be applying for jobs and volunteering my time.

Opinion

Wouldn't phase me too much as long as you could explain why. I've given jobs to people with no or even 'bad' references- people deserve a second chance, as long as they're honest. Thankfully it hasn't stung me in the ar*e thus far.