Job advert asks for professional references and I don’t have any. Should I still apply or forget about it?

[Jobapplication999999]

Have been looking for work for forever. I gave up work to be a SAHM when the DC were little, and then I developed a serious illness and was unable to work for several years. After that came the pandemic. I also have a disability which makes finding work more difficult, as many employers are unwilling to employ people with disabilities anyway.

So I’ve seen a job which is to all intents and purposes perfect for me. Skills and experience required are things I did in previous roles before having DC, plus they have several vacancies as they are expanding a service, so I would think I had a better chance of getting it than if it was just one position.

The only problem is that they’re asking for professional references within the past 5 years, and I am just not able to give those. Would it be worth explaining why I can’t give professional references and give character references instead?

Or am I flogging a dead horse?

I would provide one professional reference from the last job you did even if was over 5 years ago, and explain that you've had a career break, plus more recent character references.

Whatever you do APPLY! Give one reference from whatever last job you had and another character reference. Don't be put off. What I would add is don't write a sob story about you being unwell - ultimately they want someone who can do the job so don't block yourself by being so forthcoming. It's okay to say that you meet the criteria because of XYZ then took some time out to have babies and raise them etc. Don't shoot yourself in the foot by being all 'woe-is-me but I'm still standing'. Be very nuanced in your cover letter.

If you don’t get the job (and I agree you should definitely apply and provide the most recent reference you have), can you do any voluntary work that’s related to your industry or area of expertise? To get more recent references?

Well one thing is certain - you definitely won't get it if you don't apply!

It's so important to put your hat in the ring - you could then follow it up even if you are not lucky enough to get an interview and ask to speak/ directly contact someone on the team - explain who you are, explain why you didn't have quite the right recent experience and ask if you could come in and do some freelance work / voluntary shifts (not sure how it works in your field - but you could try to get your feet in the door)

Be optimistic but be realistic. I just applied for a job I am totally qualified for - in fact, I'm on paper an ideal candidate - I got an email saying they had over 100 applicants all of them very high quality - so they had not even been able to interview candidates who had perfect qualifications.

It's a really tough job market but applying is good practice and you might get an interview.

And next step is to work out how to get that missing recent eperience going forward.

Agree also don't say you were off unwell - say you took leave for a few years to raise young children / have a career break but are keen and eager to get back into the role

Do you have to send the references with the application? That's not usual practice is it (it is a while since I applied for a new job)

Don't be a stereotypical woman and look for the things you can't do in a job advert, think like a man and get that application sent in

I would just apply and give the best references you can. One from your old job and a couple that are as professional as possible - did you do any volunteering? committees? community projects?

I wouldn't say anything about it or bring attention to it. They can see from your CV that you haven't been in a job in the last five years. If you are a great and top candidate in the interview, the references are often just validation / confirmation.

I did reference checks for years, I didn't care all that much who they were! It was a task to get through. If someone didn't have professional references, I would reach out to them and then go from there. If you interview well enough to make it to a reference check, it isn't going to be the deciding factor.

Yes!

Try and figure out how to best give them what they are looking for with references. But you really have nothing to lose by applying, and even if you don't get it, you will get practice interviewing and maybe some connections that could be helpful.

i came up against this, and it did put me off.
i did apply with personal referees, as suggested by the recruitment agency, but was not surprised to hear nothing further, beyond confirmation of having received my application.
i don't know anyone at my last employer, and wouldn't know who to put.