References Help

Roro4Brit

Just filling out a form here, it's looking for three references. I have two excellent references from my most recent endevours but my main experience is with AIB where I worked for 3 1/2 years.

I know I can get a reference from them no problem but my department manager was a **** and used to bang on about this ****e of 'oh its company policy not to give personalsied references'. So I can only get generic bull **** letter from HR. Pathetic eh?

How do I put this on my form as it asks for a name and if it is ok to contact them? I can put depertment manager name then tick the 'no' box for contact and explain in interview maybe?

its annoying as I think it makes it look like I've done something wrong. God I ****ing hated working for AIB - worked my bolox off for over three years then I get some generic bull **** letter for my efforts :mad:

mood

Maybe ring HR and ask them.

Roro4Brit

Ah I'm def entitled to a writted ref off HR. That I know.

It's just I'd prefer to give an actual contact as that's whats asked on form. It just doesn't look as good as when you have a direct person to contact. Such a stupid rule.

Does anyone know if this is even common practice - that organisations only issues generic refs...

The last one I got from AIB was a single line long saying:

This is to confirm that XXX was successfully employed here from June 2005 to Septmber 2008.

Thats it....after all the projects and over time I did for those ****ers and that's all I get. Will really stand to me in this ultra competitive market eh? :mad:

mood

Could you not put the HR persons name on it? Sounds like your manager won't give you one.

Roro4Brit

I know and that's what is so annoying. I left on such good terms too and worked my tush off til the last minute I was there.

I've just put my managers name and put 'written reference' in the contact box.

It's the best I can do. I know nobody in HR will risk vouchin for someone they don't even know. I've two A class refs above it so hopefully it wont matter so much by the time the get to it.

mood

My last place of work don't give personal references. There is nothing I can do about it! I also worked really hard etc and I think this looks bad! But I have heard it is common practice now.

2manyconditions

Could you not ask someone you got on well with, i.e. one of your former collagues for a character ref. Is there any mgr that you might have been friendly as opposed to professional with that you could ask. Wouldn't have to be an immediate mgr, just someone with some type of title that knew a little of your work.

Its better to ask the person before putting their name down cause if you don't warn them they might be p!ssed off. The last thing you want is for him to come across not friendly while giving a character/work ref. - this could damage your possibility of a new job. Not worth the risk in my view.

Alternatively you could write that your 3rd ref. needs to be confirmed before the new company calls them. That way you could call him first and put him on the spot to make sure that he is willing to give you a good ref. before they call. If he still says no then give the HR name and say just like you said in your OP that its policy not to give individual ref. but you wanted to make sure.

If your 2 other references are good, they won't mind too much I'd imagine (ive no HR backround) that the third one is plastic from HR.

Best of luck anyway:)

Sleepy

I think it's fairly widely known that the banks won't give personal references so I wouldn't worry about it affecting your chances with the new company.

Dempo1

Hi,

I can confirm that no Irish employer is obliged to give written references, it is purely discretionary. Its a tricky one offering referee's for any job right now. I am not sure about anyone else but its incredibly difficult to even get an interview right now, particularly if your sector is dependent on recruitment agencies. My advise is to use someone else rather than a line manager you did not get on with, but make sure whomever you are using knows in advance and they should be senior to you. Most large companies will only confirm your lenght of service, rarely will a former employer bad you, particularly in writing.

Good luck with your hunt

jimoc

Put down the HR department on the reference and in the space for name simply write 'Due to AIB company policy personal references will not be provided by them'

Fills the form as they've asked for and gives you a talking point for your interview

yeahimhere

As my question is in the same area I thought I might just attach it onto this rather than starting a new thread.

I only have a written reference from the HR dept in my last job, basically like what the original poster mentioned "worked from x to y in ....position". It's their company policy to do so however they do provide a phone number if more information is needed.

I was in my last company for 5 years and before that I was travelling. My issue is I don't want to ring up the previous company I worked with nearly 7 years ago, and I only worked there for 6 months, for my second reference (usually 2 is all that's required).

If anyone works in HR / recruitment, in this situation what other reference would they accept? Is a character reference ok, if so is there any guidelines on who is acceptable?

I'm also friendly with a previous manager in my last company who left the company quite a while ago. Would it be acceptable to ask him for a reference? But, then both my references would be from the same company but in different roles, one from HR and the other from someone I worked directly under.

Stupid references, lol why don't they just accept our word that's we're great!