Need another reference for job, ideas?

[Referencemethis]

Possibly wrong section please move if so.

I have a job and my current line manager will provide a reference but the job I’m applying for wants a character reference from an upstanding member of society.

I literally don’t know anyone. I’m not in touch with any of my old school teachers, DDs headteacher has a blanket ban on teachers providing references or signing passport photos etc. Doctors have said they’ll charge me each time someone asks them for a reference and I may need it again so only want to go down that route if I have to (been quoted £35 a time, which is a huge amount of money to me).

Any other ideas of who I can ask?

Personally I’d ask a colleague. There must be someone nice just needs a I’ve worked with and known xxx for so much time and always found them to be a good egg type thing.

@Woeismethischristmas

Personally I’d ask a colleague. There must be someone nice just needs a I’ve worked with and known xxx for so much time and always found them to be a good egg type thing.

The application says the second reference needs to be from someone upstanding like a police office or a teacher or a doctor can't just anyone

That's so odd, it's not like a teacher or doctor is really going to be able to comment on your character! My kids teachers don't know me and I haven't seen a GP for years.

Is it somebody from a list like this?

Any school mums or dads? Friend of you parents?

Do you have a friend with a posh sounding job? Eg someone who is self employed, and can call themselves a director? Anyone retired who held such a position? Do you know someone well enough to sign off your pas post photo, then they could do this reference for you.

What about your DCs friends' parents? Do any of them do a job similar to that - civil servant, Local Government Officer etc

Any chance that you know a vicar/priest etc?

Any parents of your children's friends? Someone from a hobby or volunteering or place of worship? A neighbour? A friend?

I'd interpret 'upstanding' liberally. Someone who works in the public sector, or in a community role, or a professional of some kind (could be a physio, pharmacist, librarian)

What kind of industry are you in? A former colleague could be fine.

@SallySycamore

Is it somebody from a list like this?

Any school mums or dads? Friend of you parents?

Thank you for the list, unfortunately I don't know very many people either through my parents. They both worked low paid retail type jobs until they retired, I've never had a need for a solictior/barrister. I have a bank account but never spoken to the manager of the bank etc.

I think I need to give up on it, I will keep trying but can't think of anyone.

Are you sure that the character reference needs to be from 'someone upstanding' as usually character references can be from anybody just not family ??

@MumofSpud

Are you sure that the character reference needs to be from 'someone upstanding' as usually character references can be from anybody just not family ??

It says someone upstanding, and I emailed to ask for suggestion and they said teachers, doctors etc. can't just be anyone.

Someone who is a company director - that could include an independent shopkeeper, plumber, builder, gardener, etc if they are a director of their own company.

Any teacher.

@Palavah

Someone who is a company director - that could include an independent shopkeeper, plumber, builder, gardener, etc if they are a director of their own company.

Any teacher.

The only teachers I know work at DDs school, I'm not in touch with any from my old school.

I shop in supermarkets and live in a housing association home, so never had the need for my own plumber, builder etc. Parents are the same both live in rented.

Do you think there's a good chance you'll get the job? Usually references are only needed when they're offering you the job.

In that case, I'd lay for one from the GP, £35 isn't too bad if it's an investment in a new job

@MolyHolyGuacamole

Do you think there's a good chance you'll get the job? Usually references are only needed when they're offering you the job.

In that case, I'd lay for one from the GP, £35 isn't too bad if it's an investment in a new job

£35 is roughly a weeks food for me and my DD, which is a huge amount of money I can't really afford it so wanted to avoid it if i had anyone else to ask.

No family to ask to borrow it.

I don't know if I'll get the job or if I have a good chance. It's in the civil service so it depends on applicants etc.

@Referencemethis fair enough, I wouldn't spend it if I didn't think I was in with a chance.

Do you know anyone in the military? What jobs do your friends have? What about old school friends even if you aren’t in contact with them. I would give a reference if an old school friend asked me.

Are you on JSA/UC and have a work coach?

Are there any local shops or takeaways you frequent semi regularly? My friend leases a local shop and she was asked to provide a reference for a customer once. She called her director of x shop in the reference.

I would just put down the best person you can think of who would do it. Use the job as interview experience. If you do get offered the job, just hope they accept the referee you nominated.
It does suck - I have the same problem and this don’t have a passport, which would be so useful in job hunting.

As you said you're in rented, landlord would be best- or a representative of the agents.

Friend or neighbour of parents?

Did you ever use a Chilldminder? They run their own business, they are DBS checked and an upstanding member of the community.

Or a nursery manager?

What about someone from your local church? Scout/brownie leader?

Has anyone you know got any professional qualifications?

Housing association person is a good bet too.

Did your children go to a nursery
The manager would do this probably, I know I would
In fact, I have, I provided a reference to social services for an adoption

@HappilyHadesBound

As you said you're in rented, landlord would be best- or a representative of the agents.

It's a housing association I don't know anyone who works there personally it was all done online, only time I've ever spoke to anyone from my "landlord" is when I was shown round my flat, I've lived here without an inspection or anything since. They tend to use different companies for any work like plumbing so never the same person twice.

I don't have a passport either.

I only eat takeaways occasionally, maybe 3 times a year, I love cooking. I shop in the local supermarket or b+m, I don't know any of them personally except my Ex-Husband who'd not give me a reference - he's only a checkout assistant anyway.

Always lived in rented even as a child, I don't remember inspections or anything in those homes either.

Parents both worked in low paid retail type jobs. I was the first in my family to go to university.

I work so my line manager will give me 1 reference but I need a second. I do claim some UC, but have never spoken to anyone from the job centre personnally, I get the occasional message on my journal but that's about it. They leave me to it as DDs under 10 and I work part time.

I think I need to give up, it sucks but it's life, I've read the list posted above by @SallySycamore but I literally can't think of anyone. I don't know the parents from DDs class well, they mixed the classes at the end of Year 1 and we're not allowed to hang around anymore so I only know a few parents to look at and nod hello to, I wouldn't know their jobs if I was asked, I don't expect they know mine either.

I just wanted a better job for me to provide for DD, but it's one of those things.

@insancerre

Did your children go to a nursery The manager would do this probably, I know I would In fact, I have, I provided a reference to social services for an adoption

DD went to Nursery yes but the Nursery Manager has since left. I know her name and could search her on Facebook but I'm not sure she'd remember us, DD is in Year 2 now so left Nursery in 2018.