No referees

diystarter7

TBagpuss said:

What type of work were you doing when you were self employed? 
Is there a client who you might be able to use?

You could also apply even though you haven't got someone who meets the criteria and explain the issue if you get an interview.

Hi

That is a great idea and one overlooked by all of us until you mentioned it.

Along with that as above, anyone in this situation, do call the organisation and seek help if you are unsure etc
as I am sure there are many like you out there.

Good luck

Jude57

diystarter7 said:

TBagpuss said:

What type of work were you doing when you were self employed? 
Is there a client who you might be able to use?

You could also apply even though you haven't got someone who meets the criteria and explain the issue if you get an interview.

Hi

That is a great idea and one overlooked by all of us until you mentioned it.

Along with that as above, anyone in this situation, do call the organisation and seek help if you are unsure etc
as I am sure there are many like you out there.

Good luck

Not overlooked by @elsien in her first post on page 1.

josephine82

Have you considered doing some volunteering in some capacity while you look for work? Not only could it help with social isolation it could gain you a reference. 

For example I’m a volunteer with an organisation and have had someone volunteering with me for couple of months now. She asked if she could put me down as a reference for a job as she hadn’t worked in 10 years. I was more than happy to. Referees don’t necessarily need to come from work. 

fluffymuffy

Update - I got an interview in the NHS. Still haven't found a referee though. I put "to be provided" on the application form. Now I'm wondering if my neighbour would be OK as she used to work for a bank before she retired.  

Undervalued

fluffymuffy said:

Update - I got an interview in the NHS. Still haven't found a referee though. I put "to be provided" on the application form. Now I'm wondering if my neighbour would be OK as she used to work for a bank before she retired.  

Who is "OK" or not is entirely up to your potential employer. The neighbour you describe may well be.

All you can do is explain the circumstances and offer what you can. Except in certain regulated occupations there is no legal requirement as to who is, or isn't, an acceptable referee or even to seek reference at all.

It is much better to be as open as possible about this so as not to give the impression that there is something to hide. Hopefully they will understand and "think outside the box".

General_Grant

fluffymuffy said:

Thanks. I don't know my local councillor. Or anyone. It needs to be someone who has known me for 3 years. I don't think it is going to be possible. 

How can you be so isolated as not to know anyone?

Did your children go to a school where there are teachers who will have had some contact with you?

You haven't responded to a couple of posts asking what sort of self-employment you were engaged in.  Did you never have contact with a client over a period of time or was everything a one-off situation?

fluffymuffy

General_Grant said:

fluffymuffy said:

Thanks. I don't know my local councillor. Or anyone. It needs to be someone who has known me for 3 years. I don't think it is going to be possible. 

How can you be so isolated as not to know anyone?

Did your children go to a school where there are teachers who will have had some contact with you?

You haven't responded to a couple of posts asking what sort of self-employment you were engaged in.  Did you never have contact with a client over a period of time or was everything a one-off situation?

I am autistic (formally diagnosed) and live in an isolated rural place. I have no friends (except for another autistic person I chat with on Twitter about once a year) and no contact with anyone outside my immediate family. We have neighbours who we see if they are outside their house for a few minutes about three times a year. My children grew up and most left home except one who is also autistic and isolated.

I can't elaborate on the work I do without identifying myself. The clients are mostly one off and contact us online for technical services. I have no direct contact with them - my spouse does all the phoning people and meeting people.

I have tried to get help with my social isolation but it is difficult. I tried to volunteer at a charity shop but they wanted two references. I contacted a charity which helps disabled people in my area but the replied that they only take referrals from social services. I guess there are many people like me who fall in the category of not disabled enough to qualify for support but too disabled to be part of society. 

General_Grant

Thanks for explaining that, fluffymuffy.

You mention a neighbour and, going back to an earlier post, I suggest you do ask your neighbour whether she would be willing to be a referee.  She may not know you very well but could say she has been your neighbour for X years and  believes you to be relable and honest.  

Flugelhorn

General_Grant said:

Thanks for explaining that, fluffymuffy.

You mention a neighbour and, going back to an earlier post, I suggest you do ask your neighbour whether she would be willing to be a referee.  She may not know you very well but could say she has been your neighbour for X years and  believes you to be relable and honest.  

that is the essential thing  - I am sure that the employers will be aware of the problems if people haven't been in work / in contact with the other organisations. Not everyone is out and about doing things all the time and finding referees can be tricky.
Am sure your neighbour will be a perfectly good referee