Can't get references for job.

faringdon

Hi,

Is there any way round this?…i am applying for a job that needs Security Clearance as its military work in UK as an Electronics Engineer. I am a British Citizen and have even done several years in the British Army.

They need two references from the following list and i cant get them.

Ive written to a number of Directors but none have replied. I dont even know any of the other types of people. So my only hope is a Director of a previous company but most of them didnt known me for three years because i didnt work for them for three years.

The referees must be one of the following…

____ ___ ___

• Accountant
• Airline pilot
• Bank/building society official
• Councilor (local or county)
• Civil servant (permanent) (excluding those who work for the HMPO)
• Dentist
• Director/manager/personnel officer of a VAT-registered company
• Financial services intermediary (for example, a stockbroker or insurance broker)
• Fire service official
• Funeral director
• Insurance agent (full time) of a recognised company
• Journalist Justice of the peace Legal secretary (for example a fellow or associate member of the Institute of Legal Secretaries and Personal Assistants)
• Local government officer
• Manager/personnel officer of a limited company
• Member, associate or fellow of a professional body
• Member of parliament
• Merchant navy officer
• Minister of a recognised religion, including Christian science
• Nurse (RGN and RMN)
• Officer of the armed services (active or retired)
• Optician
• Paralegal (certified paralegal, qualified paralegal or associate member of the Institute of Paralegals) Person with honors (for example, OBE or MBE)
• Pharmacist
• Police officer
• Post Office official
• Salvation Army officer
• Social worker
• Solicitor
• Surveyor
• Teacher/ lecturer
• Trade union officer

All referees must:

• work in (or be retired from) a recognised profession
• have known the applicant for at least three years, in a professional or personal capacity, and be able to confirm the identity of the individual

 They should not:

• be closely related to the applicant by birth or marriage
• be involved with the applicant e.g. in a relationship
• live at the same address as the applicant

——- —- —— ——————————- ————————

El_Torro

How close a working relationship do you need to have had with these references? Looks like they just need to confirm you are who you say you are.

I see that Dentist is one of the professions mentioned. Have you been going to the same dentist for 3 years or more? Even if you only see them a couple of times a year this might qualify as a reference. There are other professions mentioned on the list which might qualify for the same reason.

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6678542/cant-get-references-for-job

So basically the same list as a passport application.

The manager at a limited company or director/manager at a vat registered company are normally the easiest two… so do you know the staff at your local shop or pub, know trades people who run their own company, past employers?

An person I know was complaining in the pub a while back that they didnt know anyone who could sign their passport application, about half the bar put their hand up that they could sign it

Andy_L

Is this references for

Job reference,

Security clearance, or

ID check?

kimwp

Afaik, they don't need to have been in close contact with you for a duration of three years, they just must have known you at least three years ago and be confident that they can vouch for your integrity, reliability etc. If you worked in the army, couldn't an officer do it?

faringdon

The reference is for Security Clearance. SC is needed for the role.

Must admit i dont know the contact details of any of the Officers in the Army that i worked under.

kimwp

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82089899#Comment_82089899

References are definitely tricky if you don't keep in touch with useful people! As someone else said, maybe dentist or doctor? No-one you know socially, through sports club or down the pub cam help? What about a teacher from your school?

Grumpy_chap

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82089812#Comment_82089812

The OP said:

i am applying for a job that needs Security Clearance 

For the OP, there are several of the categories that are very broad. I note the OP states

Ive written to a number of Directors but none have replied. I dont even know any of the other types of people. So my only hope is a Director of a previous company

Given your previous engagement in the Army, do you not know "Officer of the armed services (active or retired)" that can provide the references?

Are you interpreting the other categories too narrowly? Many of the categories are far broader than some people might imagine.

Alfrescodave

Can yourbank / building society provide the reference? they must have had your details for a while unless you've changed banks within the last 3 years. Also you must be registered with a doctors surgery (though this will probably cost)

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82089988#Comment_82089988

The person must have known the OP for 3 years… havent even been in my bank for 3 years let alone be known by any member of staff.

Technically doctors arent on the list, though they may qualify under one of the other options, they actively asked to be removed from the passport list years ago

Andy_L

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82089899#Comment_82089899

The terminology is, unfortunately confusing,

SC clearance is "security check" level &, unlike Developed Vetting, doesn't need referees (ie they aren't interviewing people about you). But does share the same initials as "Security Clearance"

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels

If you are providing "the army" as a reference I believe you can just supply your service number and career history & they can work from there

ETA: referees for DV clearance do not have to meet the same requirements as, eg, passport counter-signers

"

5.1 How to choose a referee

You will need to provide details of a minimum of three character referees that have known you for at least 10 years.

• They should not be relatives or partners, or related to you through a partner.
• At least one of the referees should be someone in your own age group who you regularly communicate with at least once per month and socialise with outside the workplace.
• They should preferably be British citizens (although this is not obligatory).
• Do not nominate someone you know officially or professionally, such as a Doctor, unless you know them socially as well.
• Staff members of a school, college or university should not be chosen unless they are close personal friends.
• Referees should include a person (not a partner), who knows you well in your home environment and ideally someone (other than a supervisor or employer) who knows you well in the work environment.
• You should tell your referees that you wish to put their names forward.
• Please ensure that the contact details you provide for your referees are up to date."

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-national-security-vetting-solution-guidance-for-subjects/uksv-national-security-vetting-solutions-hints-and-tips-for-completing-your-e-form-application#character-referees