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No references, what to do?

  • 30-06-2011 04:11PM
    #1
    gline
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,605 ✭✭✭


    Ive been asked to give references now only twice since looking for employment, the problem is I only have one from school (which was 10 years ago), none of my jobs ever gave references and most of my ex-managers would be well and truely gone as most of the jobs were in high staff turnover jobs. The one position that wasnt, were very strict on not giving references though.

    What can you say to an employer when they ask for references? I have proof of employment from most, if not all my previous positions (like contracts/wage slips etc) and I dont put down any false employment on my cv, its all legit. However I dont think this is enough for most jobs. What can I do? In this day and age are references really required/easy to get? I'd rather they just gave me a technical test or similar as that will prove even more than a reference, that I could do the job and would prove what experience a candidate would have.
    Tagged:


Comments

  • #2
    Nody
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 18,565 CMod ✭✭✭✭Nody


    Contact the HR department and ask for one, they will most likely send you a "Worked here as Z between X and Y" and that is pretty much standard reference these days. If they ask for contact persons say you don't have them.


  • #3
    gline
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,605 ✭✭✭gline


    Nody wrote: »
    Contact the HR department and ask for one, they will most likely send you a "Worked here as between X and Y" and that is pretty much standard reference these days.

    I have been asked for contact details for referee's though, not on paper thats the problem


  • #4
    Nody
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 18,565 CMod ✭✭✭✭Nody


    gline wrote: »
    I have been asked for contact details for referee's though, not on paper thats the problem
    Tell them you are no longer in contact with your old managers (you can always try a search via Linkedin though and see if you get lucky) anymore.


  • #5
    gline
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,605 ✭✭✭gline


    Nody wrote: »
    Tell them you are no longer in contact with your old managers (you can always try a search via Linkedin though and see if you get lucky) anymore.

    Thanks for the suggestion.

    The thing is though, if a candidate comes alone that has references available, how much of an advantage is that? I know I can say all of this (that I'm not in contact and dont have contactable references) to a potential employer, but how bad does it look in their minds? Could this be "major" factor for not getting employment?


  • #6
    Lux23
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,134 ✭✭✭Lux23


    I only got one jobs where they didn't check references and that was in the middle of the boom when companies were crying out for people.


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