Reference Query

TG1

I'm currently in final year of college, so searching for a job. I have one very reliable solid reference, from a 6 month placement, and I'm completely happy putting this one down for any job applications.

I lived off savings during college so have not worked in 4 years other than the placement, but I was working full time before I went back to college.

I'm a bit worried about using the owner or any family member of the business I worked at as a reference because I did not really stay in touch. It has been 4 years, and while I would obviously email them before using and remind them who I was and ask if they were willing, but I'm not sure that they would give a fantastic reference given the long time between working for them and contacting them?

I'm just looking for opinions on whether I should just bite the bullet, contact them and hope for the best, or try giving prospective employers just the one reference?

Thanks!

Stheno

Have you a lecturer you can ask for a reference for?

Or references from voluntary work or a lecturer?

TG1

The course was pretty big, there were usually about 100 - 150 students per class... I'm sure the lecturers would know my face as I turned up to the majority of classes over the 4 years but I don't know if any of them would actually know who I was because there are so many in the classes...

pow wow

For graduates it's not at all unusual for one reference to be a lecturer. Is there any lecturer who supervised you more directly, say for a project or dissertation? The references they give are quite generic (probably as they do it so often) so they may well agree to it even if they don't know you that well.

Mr. Loverman

Employers aren't evil. They understand you're a graduate so you can't have a history of solid references.

In the interview you just explain your situation, and ask if they will accept an academic or character reference from someone you know. If the HR person can't understand or accept this you don't want to work there.

Ann Landers

If you're a graduate, an academic reference is perfectly acceptable. Try and have the work one too though.

You can put down an academic reference and a few of the work references, that should be enough.

DM addict

Definitely try and get the work reference - at least it will confirm that you worked there.

In terms of academic references, did you have a tutor, or supervisor for a thesis or final year project? For my first job outside of college I used my thesis supervisor, who had spent a fair bit of time one-on-one with me. Also even for big classes, there's a good chance the lecturers would have some idea who you are after 4 years.

Good luck!