To be annoyed that she turned me down

[Ihatepeelingoranges2]

So today would have been day 1 of my cleaning business or so I thought , I put an ad up last week and got a reply from a woman. We arranged me for to come round today, when I got there I was excited to get stuck in and finally earn some money, we spoke for a bit and she asked me if I have any references, I said no. She turned me down because of this reason.

I could understand if she didn't like the way I clean, but give me a chance for goodness sake and see if you like it or not. Everyone has to start somewhere right?

Just annoyed that I wasted this day and this whole situation could have been avoided.

Rant over.

I think you’re being a bit unrealistic.

We went on recommendations for our cleaner.

Sorry but we're out at work and need someone we know others trust too.

Everyone has to start somewhere, she should have let you clean once and then decided if you were good enough YANBU

I looked for references, insurance and ideally DBS checked when finding a cleaner.

To her, you are a random woman she knows absolutely nothing about who will be having full access to her home.

You could be anyone just got out of prison for fleecing the last house you cleaned , how does she know your honest ? That's what references are for .

Do you carry a DBS?

Unfortunately the lack of references is what hold a lot of people back.

It's a personal service and people want reassurance.

If someone is inside my house, they'd better have references.

She’s not BU to not want to hire someone with no references but she clearly should have asked you BEFORE you went round there, she doesn’t know what your original plans were today and unless within walking or cycling distance, I assume you also spent money getting to her too.

You could try to start with some agency to gain some references? Pps have a valid point. You could be absolutely anyone with bad intentions. Like this you could have some experience to show them.

But she was BVU to get you to come in before asking

Ah this is so hard op. Could you clean for some friends and get them to write references? School mums, acquaintances, neighbours?

Also potentially get a dbs check?

Then people will employ you easier. I think if you take s step back you will realise that employing a stranger to clean your home from an advert, who has no references is risky. You could rob her blind, he dangerous etc.

But you can get it sorted. A free clean for some people you know in return for references and you will be good to go.

I think you should have expected this and at the very least prepared for some personal ones to reassure about how trustworthy you are and some previous unrelated employment ones.

Some advise from a small business owner of 5 years, who also started out in the same position as you:

Get yourself:
A police check
A written reference from your last employer/manager (no matter the line of work)
A personal reference

It’s not just about if you can do the job, this client wants to know that she can trust you in her home.

I looked for references, insurance and ideally DBS checked when finding a cleaner.

DBS for a cleaner? Don't be daft.

If you've got no work references could you not get a couple of character references OP?
It might be worth a try, just to show that you can be trusted etc etc.

Oh yes and as PP said above public liability insurance. Consider it a start up cost and VERY essential

If you’ve gone to the trouble of setting up a business with insurance, possibly getting DBS etc., surely you’ve cleaned professionally before and can get references via your former agency?

References aren’t about how well you clean - because as you’ve said, she can see that on your first clean.

References are about:

• do you cancel a lot
• do you sneak out early
• once you get comfortable, does your standard drop
• do you break things
• does money go missing

Of course, most people won’t write those things. But - if they think them, they won’t give you a reference.

If you haven’t cleaned before, but can get a personal reference from someone regarding your character, that might help. “Peeling is just setting up as a cleaner, so I cannot comment on the standard of her work. However, as a fellow member of the PTA, I can confirm that Peeling was always on time, reliable is delivered what she promised, and enthusiastically carried out the activities.”

She should’ve let you clean and then see if she was happy with it or not. Or at least she could’ve asked when you spoke to her on the phone

Fair enough - I wouldn’t want someone in my house whilst I’m at work unless I had taken references. I’m sure you’re honest and trustworthy but your clients don’t know this and I know a few people who have had cleaners who have stolen from them so it’s just not worth the risk. Get a DBS check and offer a few free cleans to friends in return for a reference.

I wouldn't want someone working in my home without references, sorry OP. Surely you must know someone who can provide one? A friend, ex employer, neighbour?

If I was going to give you a key to my house (which would mean any losses were uninsured) then I'd want good references and a DBS check as well. It's nothing personal OP.

I wouldn’t let anyone in my house to clean without references either. YABU start with cleaning friends and family houses and get references that way.

Can you ask a Neighbour or friend at all ? I think you cant be related to a referee but friends /Acquaintances are all fine .I was a referee for my DF and her DD as well .No probs !

It sounds like there may have been some miscommunication- are you sure she didn’t want to meet you first, a sort of interview whereas you thought you already had the job / contract?