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Who can I use as a reference?
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Hollife
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#1
Hello! I've been applying for jobs since March. I think a big part of my lack of success might be that I have no references. I usually put down "available on request" in the hopes that they won't bother requesting them...
I left education (uni) 5 years ago. I did contact my 3 old tutors and ask for a reference but one of them ignored my message, one of them said they couldn't remember me and the third said he didn't think it would be suitable as I've been gone for half a decade.
I was self-employed for the past 3 ish years (after jobsearching got nowhere for the first year and a half) and I didn't work with any employers or external companies except myself so I have no professional references. The only "real" job I've had was a summer job before my A-levels in 2011.
Ive done no volunteering (am applying for some when I see them now ofc), joined no clubs and have no professional friends - they work normal jobs like in an office or retail. Can i still use them?? Or is it like a passport, when you can only pick doctors and lawyers, etc?
Any reference suggestions or tips would be handy. Thank you!
I left education (uni) 5 years ago. I did contact my 3 old tutors and ask for a reference but one of them ignored my message, one of them said they couldn't remember me and the third said he didn't think it would be suitable as I've been gone for half a decade.
I was self-employed for the past 3 ish years (after jobsearching got nowhere for the first year and a half) and I didn't work with any employers or external companies except myself so I have no professional references. The only "real" job I've had was a summer job before my A-levels in 2011.
Ive done no volunteering (am applying for some when I see them now ofc), joined no clubs and have no professional friends - they work normal jobs like in an office or retail. Can i still use them?? Or is it like a passport, when you can only pick doctors and lawyers, etc?
Any reference suggestions or tips would be handy. Thank you!
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Allyson90
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#2
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#2
(Original post by Hollife)
Hello! I've been applying for jobs since March. I think a big part of my lack of success might be that I have no references. I usually put down "available on request" in the hopes that they won't bother requesting them...
I left education (uni) 5 years ago. I did contact my 3 old tutors and ask for a reference but one of them ignored my message, one of them said they couldn't remember me and the third said he didn't think it would be suitable as I've been gone for half a decade.
I was self-employed for the past 3 ish years (after jobsearching got nowhere for the first year and a half) and I didn't work with any employers or external companies except myself so I have no professional references. The only "real" job I've had was a summer job before my A-levels in 2011.
Ive done no volunteering (am applying for some when I see them now ofc), joined no clubs and have no professional friends - they work normal jobs like in an office or retail. Can i still use them?? Or is it like a passport, when you can only pick doctors and lawyers, etc?
Any reference suggestions or tips would be handy. Thank you!
Hello! I've been applying for jobs since March. I think a big part of my lack of success might be that I have no references. I usually put down "available on request" in the hopes that they won't bother requesting them...
I left education (uni) 5 years ago. I did contact my 3 old tutors and ask for a reference but one of them ignored my message, one of them said they couldn't remember me and the third said he didn't think it would be suitable as I've been gone for half a decade.
I was self-employed for the past 3 ish years (after jobsearching got nowhere for the first year and a half) and I didn't work with any employers or external companies except myself so I have no professional references. The only "real" job I've had was a summer job before my A-levels in 2011.
Ive done no volunteering (am applying for some when I see them now ofc), joined no clubs and have no professional friends - they work normal jobs like in an office or retail. Can i still use them?? Or is it like a passport, when you can only pick doctors and lawyers, etc?
Any reference suggestions or tips would be handy. Thank you!
People who known you for long time is usually the best to ask, old tutors has that many people over the years so perhaps wouldn't remember you,
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Muttley79
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#3
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#3
(Original post by Hollife)
Hello! I've been applying for jobs since March. I think a big part of my lack of success might be that I have no references. I usually put down "available on request" in the hopes that they won't bother requesting them...
I left education (uni) 5 years ago. I did contact my 3 old tutors and ask for a reference but one of them ignored my message, one of them said they couldn't remember me and the third said he didn't think it would be suitable as I've been gone for half a decade.
I was self-employed for the past 3 ish years (after jobsearching got nowhere for the first year and a half) and I didn't work with any employers or external companies except myself so I have no professional references. The only "real" job I've had was a summer job before my A-levels in 2011.
Ive done no volunteering (am applying for some when I see them now ofc), joined no clubs and have no professional friends - they work normal jobs like in an office or retail. Can i still use them?? Or is it like a passport, when you can only pick doctors and lawyers, etc?
Any reference suggestions or tips would be handy. Thank you!
Hello! I've been applying for jobs since March. I think a big part of my lack of success might be that I have no references. I usually put down "available on request" in the hopes that they won't bother requesting them...
I left education (uni) 5 years ago. I did contact my 3 old tutors and ask for a reference but one of them ignored my message, one of them said they couldn't remember me and the third said he didn't think it would be suitable as I've been gone for half a decade.
I was self-employed for the past 3 ish years (after jobsearching got nowhere for the first year and a half) and I didn't work with any employers or external companies except myself so I have no professional references. The only "real" job I've had was a summer job before my A-levels in 2011.
Ive done no volunteering (am applying for some when I see them now ofc), joined no clubs and have no professional friends - they work normal jobs like in an office or retail. Can i still use them?? Or is it like a passport, when you can only pick doctors and lawyers, etc?
Any reference suggestions or tips would be handy. Thank you!
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cheesecakelove
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#4
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#4
(Original post by Hollife)
Hello! I've been applying for jobs since March. I think a big part of my lack of success might be that I have no references. I usually put down "available on request" in the hopes that they won't bother requesting them...
I left education (uni) 5 years ago. I did contact my 3 old tutors and ask for a reference but one of them ignored my message, one of them said they couldn't remember me and the third said he didn't think it would be suitable as I've been gone for half a decade.
I was self-employed for the past 3 ish years (after jobsearching got nowhere for the first year and a half) and I didn't work with any employers or external companies except myself so I have no professional references. The only "real" job I've had was a summer job before my A-levels in 2011.
Ive done no volunteering (am applying for some when I see them now ofc), joined no clubs and have no professional friends - they work normal jobs like in an office or retail. Can i still use them?? Or is it like a passport, when you can only pick doctors and lawyers, etc?
Any reference suggestions or tips would be handy. Thank you!
Hello! I've been applying for jobs since March. I think a big part of my lack of success might be that I have no references. I usually put down "available on request" in the hopes that they won't bother requesting them...
I left education (uni) 5 years ago. I did contact my 3 old tutors and ask for a reference but one of them ignored my message, one of them said they couldn't remember me and the third said he didn't think it would be suitable as I've been gone for half a decade.
I was self-employed for the past 3 ish years (after jobsearching got nowhere for the first year and a half) and I didn't work with any employers or external companies except myself so I have no professional references. The only "real" job I've had was a summer job before my A-levels in 2011.
Ive done no volunteering (am applying for some when I see them now ofc), joined no clubs and have no professional friends - they work normal jobs like in an office or retail. Can i still use them?? Or is it like a passport, when you can only pick doctors and lawyers, etc?
Any reference suggestions or tips would be handy. Thank you!
I would try to get some volunteering started as soon as possible - not only will it show that you have taken initiative to develop your skills but it is a good place to get a reference. You mention that you were self-employed - what kind of work were you doing? Now that you are looking for work, what kind of roles are you looking for?
Usually jobs will ask for references when you get to the interview stage or beyond, so putting down "references available on request" won't have had any bearing on the success of your application. You want to make sure you fit the job description, and if not, look into getting the experience, skills and qualifications to do so.
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Hollife
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#5
(Original post by cheesecakelove)
Job references are different to a passport reference - they are there to talk about your skills and experience, not confirm your identity, so I wouldn't advise asking a doctor or solicitor.
I would try to get some volunteering started as soon as possible - not only will it show that you have taken initiative to develop your skills but it is a good place to get a reference. You mention that you were self-employed - what kind of work were you doing? Now that you are looking for work, what kind of roles are you looking for?
Usually jobs will ask for references when you get to the interview stage or beyond, so putting down "references available on request" won't have had any bearing on the success of your application. You want to make sure you fit the job description, and if not, look into getting the experience, skills and qualifications to do so.
Job references are different to a passport reference - they are there to talk about your skills and experience, not confirm your identity, so I wouldn't advise asking a doctor or solicitor.
I would try to get some volunteering started as soon as possible - not only will it show that you have taken initiative to develop your skills but it is a good place to get a reference. You mention that you were self-employed - what kind of work were you doing? Now that you are looking for work, what kind of roles are you looking for?
Usually jobs will ask for references when you get to the interview stage or beyond, so putting down "references available on request" won't have had any bearing on the success of your application. You want to make sure you fit the job description, and if not, look into getting the experience, skills and qualifications to do so.
as I said I am applying for voluntary roles as well! Haven't had any luck yet but I'm still keeping going.
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cheesecakelove
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#6
(Original post by Hollife)
I was a blogger! Now I'm looking for anything - retail, office work, cleaning, receptionist, assistant, etc etc. I'm not fussy
as I said I am applying for voluntary roles as well! Haven't had any luck yet but I'm still keeping going.
I was a blogger! Now I'm looking for anything - retail, office work, cleaning, receptionist, assistant, etc etc. I'm not fussy
as I said I am applying for voluntary roles as well! Haven't had any luck yet but I'm still keeping going.
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cheesecakelove
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#7
In your previous role as a blogger, how did you make income if you were self-employed? Were you involved in any special projects or collaborations with other bloggers? Were you ever sponsored by other companies?
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Emma:-)
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#8
(Original post by Hollife)
I was a blogger! Now I'm looking for anything - retail, office work, cleaning, receptionist, assistant, etc etc. I'm not fussy as I said I am applying for voluntary roles as well! Haven't had any luck yet but I'm still keeping going.
I was a blogger! Now I'm looking for anything - retail, office work, cleaning, receptionist, assistant, etc etc. I'm not fussy
as I said I am applying for voluntary roles as well! Haven't had any luck yet but I'm still keeping going.
I know you have already tried uni tutors but would any of your a-level tutors remember you?
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