SAHP = No references =no work

[StuckHome]

I have been a SAHM for 10 years. This has been due to wanting to be a SAHM, having no extended family to help, chronic health problems and COVID. I am now finally in a position to return to work but can’t see a way back to the workplace as I no longer have any references, and foolishly didn’t maintain contacts.
Research has taught me that I should start with a voluntary job, but even those require references which I don’t have. I can’t afford to do any courses. I want a call Centre job or shop work. For anyone who has been in my position, how did you get back to work without any references?

I used character references :) the charity shop accepted this, then moved on from there. Good luck

Do you know anyone who has a respected profession that knows you well enough to give a character reference.

The school? Dr? Solicitor? They can be friends with you.

You could try a local independent shop rather than big chain?

My volunteer role didn't need a reference. So I used them, and my work boss from 6 years prior.

But I've also written a character reference for a friend, so that is another route.

School PTA wouldn't need a reference, but could get you a reference.

I run a small charity and we don't ask for references for people wanting to volunteer with us. Anything like that in your area? Could you write to a charity of interest and explain why you don't have a reference? It's hardly unusual.

If you are totally stuck PM me - I can find you a small amount of (remote) volunteering to do for us, and then write you a reference. We're a food bank in London. (You can AS me to see that I'm a long-standing Mumsnetter.)

I used to manage a large volunteer programme. We required references because of the nature of the organisation (children involved). But we would take character references, they didn’t have to be work references.

I know a primary school head teacher who has given character references for parents (usually mums) getting back into the workforce. Often these parents have been involved in the school in some way, helping to organise events or active in the PTA or various committees.

I've experienced the same OP! All volunteering required 2 or more references!

Find a friend, anyone!!

Have you actually been turned down for jobs and volunteer roles m, or do you just think you will be? I would have thought a call centre type job would accept eg a character reference from a friend, or just accept you don’t have any after a long absence from the workforce.

I just got a character reference for my voluntary job.

I had this problem too. Do you have Community Employment schemes in the uk? I did one and my position contributions were made and it was 2
€20 more than social welfare and through that 19.5 hour scheme I did ecdl, excel advanced and payroll courses all free.
Check with yr local "activation" if they have that in the uk. I believe they have something similarly. I was able to make myself employable again, after a long gap it is unbelievable how unemployable you are perceived to be. Beggars belief and it is unfair and shortsighted of employers.

Same for me. 15 years out of the workforce. Everyone I knew, my bosses etc, are either dead, or the companies are no longer in existence. I did lots of volunteering at school, but both heads have now left, so no luck there.

I think I would use my best friend, who happens to be a teacher. Another friend is an HR director, so lucky to have them if needed.

It's another barrier to getting older people back into work. I also don't have a degree, but then most of my friends don' t either, we are all of that age where not so many went to uni.

Prsi contributions that is.

I used my last paid job (got dates and confirmation of employment reference from pension company as company had been bought out) and a personal reference

My neighbour acted as a referee, I went back after eight years to a proper job

@icypompoms no, I don’t. I only know people in the same position as me or people who work in shops etc themselves. I’ve not been active in the children’s school so they won’t know me well.
@TheWayTheLightFalls Thank you for your kind offer. I’ve been looking at charity shops and their online applications all require references.
@Pinkypurplecloud I haven’t because I do not know what to write on the online applications where they require references.
@KnittedCardi Its so hard, isn’t it? That’s like me, there isn’t anyone to refer back to because the employers situation has changed or they are no longer in the job.

When I went back to work I got a reference from my DC school head (I used to read with reception class and was on the PTA for a few years) and a family I used to babysit for plus boss from about 15 years prior! Definitely get a volunteering role as it's good to have something more than raising children to discuss but really don't worry about it as that was your job

As said before character references from someone who knows you well, ie someone whose known you a long time or someone more recent but good friends with. I'm thinking anyone who could be a referee for a passport, civil servant, teacher, police, GP, Nurse. If not, just someone who has known you for a long time.

I work in retail (already had a job when I applied), but they didn't take up a reference - just had to get through the online multi choice question (takes some a few goes so be warned), interview and asked for my comments on the shop floor.

You don't need to cite the HR individual who was there when you were, just put the company. So if you worked at Boots in Bromley, put the shop address and then either than phone number of a central one of you can find one for HR etc.

But also look at indep shops that simply don't have the man power to do reference checks, and walk into any local charity shops asking for volunteers and xplain the situation. Again smaller, individual charities rather than massive ones will be more helpful

What a kind offer @TheWayTheLightFalls

When I last changed jobs a few years ago, I had to go back 10 years to get a reference from an old boss, who thankfully still worked for the company.

It doesn't matter if you've not kept up contact...as long as theyre still working there, you can use them in my experience.

Thank you all for your advice.
Its such a frustrating position to be in. I will do all of the things you have all suggested. It’s given me hope that there are others that have got back into the workplace after such a long break.

Do you go to a place of worship? Would they provide a character reference?

I've just picked up a few days of temping work after having been self employed and not having done a stroke of work for anyone else for 15 years. The agency did ask me for one reference and I just gave my last self employed client, but I think if you explain your predicament to a sympathetic agency, you stand a good chance of them helping you find a solution. Then, if you get a few days work from them, there's your referee for the next job.

My old boss did not ask for references. He had a habit of taking in waifs and strays and giving people chances (he often employed ex addicts and ex prisoners). It was a minimum wage factory job but it got me back on the employment ladder. This was 11 years ago. I work in HR now.

Do the companies that you worked for still exist? If so just put in their HR email address (contact them first to get hold of this if needed).
They should still be able to supply a reference stating the dates you worked there.