Reference after long time away

[Orangeblossom1976]

I've been away from work for 13 years and when i've contacted my former employers HR dept they say they can only give a simple reference saying I worked there and the dates, due to their policy and the long time away. Is this normal? Worried it might affect my chances at a new job.

[BritInUS1]

Yes this is normal and all a lot of companies will now do

[dimsum123]

Yes that's normal. You could do some volunteering to get a more recent reference. I had 15 years out of work whilst SAHM and have just got back into it. I signed up with a few temp agencies and they weren't bothered about refs tbh.

[Orangeblossom1976]

Ok, yes temping might be an idea. Thanks. Also have a written reference from teaching course again years ago but might be a help.

[dimsum123]

Ime, the forms ask for refs but they hardly ever get followed up. So I wouldn't worry too much. I shouldn't admit this but I even asked a friend of DHs who I've never met to give me a ref!

[brilliotic]

Having just returned from my first day of work after a long time out of work, I can say that my new employers apparently were happy with references from people with whom I did not have a work related relationship, but did have a recent relationship. E.g. my child's nursery manager, for whom I did a few bits of 'volunteering' things e.g. I made a newsletter for the nursery.

You could always call before applying and ask if they would prefer old but professional references or recent and non-professional ones.

[Orangeblossom1976]

Ok, that is a good plan, thanks.

[hestia2018]

I’ve got a similar issue and have asked people I have done volunteering with e.g. school headteacher from volunteering at school.