References

Gael23 · 08-10-2015 11:36PM #1

Im currently doing a masters but I'm starting to apply for grad programmes at this point.
My only employer to date has a policy of only confirming employment and not giving a full character reference. Im wondering how do I deal with this on application forms?

Heart Break Kid · 09-10-2015 12:29AM

Gael23 wrote: »

My only employer to date has a policy of only confirming employment and not giving a full character reference.

Similar position myself, fairly daft policy, found a line manager that agreed. You could also use Academic referees.

MarkAnthony · 09-10-2015 12:36AM

99% of large employers have this policy.

99% of those know that a line manager will give an off the record reference.

99% of people receiving the references know they get more out of the informal chat than they ever would from a written reference from HR who simply know you as employee 334478 Smith, P.

99.9% of the time no one gets sued over implying 334478 Smith, P. was a sticky fingered loon who tried to implement a policy of naked Wednesdays.

Gael23 · 09-10-2015 07:14AM

MarkAnthony wrote: »

99% of large employers have this policy.

99% of those know that a line manager will give an off the record reference.

99% of people receiving the references know they get more out of the informal chat than they ever would from a written reference from HR who simply know you as employee 334478 Smith, P.

99.9% of the time no one gets sued over implying 334478 Smith, P. was a sticky fingered loon who tried to implement a policy of naked Wednesdays.

Would I put a a HR contact on application forms then?

Heroditas · 09-10-2015 07:18AM

Gael23 wrote: »

Would I put a a HR contact on application forms then?

Yes, put the HR contact on the form.
For the second referee, as already mentioned, use an academic referee.
Have you never done any part time with when you were younger? Use a referee from back then as well

MarkAnthony · 09-10-2015 08:39AM

Gael23 wrote: »

Would I put a a HR contact on application forms then?

Yep, then in the cover letter or email pop in a telephone reference.

Gael23 · 09-10-2015 09:41AM

Heroditas wrote: »

Yes, put the HR contact on the form.
For the second referee, as already mentioned, use an academic referee.
Have you never done any part time with when you were younger? Use a referee from back then as well

I did some voluntary work during summers when I was in college alright but is it supposed to be one personal and one academic?

Heroditas · 09-10-2015 12:00PM

Gael23 wrote: »

I did some voluntary work during summers when I was in college alright but is it supposed to be one personal and one academic?

Not necessarily.
To be honest, whenever I'm recruiting/interviewing graduates I'm not particularly interested in references. I'm more interested in seeing if they've been working part-time or doing summer work when they were younger.

References

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