Help with references problem

[Polgara2]

I have been doing voluntary work (about 5 years) and casual MDA work ie when someone is off (about 2 years) at the school that I am now thinking of applying for a job at.

The application form wants references from my current employer - but how does that work when, in effect, they are my current employer?

It also wants one from my previous employer, fair enough, but that was 10 years ago and they no longer exist!

Have no idea what I am going to put?

I would put the head (or whoever you work for) at the school you've been volunteering at as your current employer. They'll be expecting that anyway.

For previous employer I would explain that they are no longer trading and offer one or two personal references and state how you know them. In the past I have used the Chair of Governors at the school where I am a governor, my church leader and the Chair of the PTFA I am a member of as references.

If really stuck I would put the head and maybe the class teacher you've worked most with as your two references.

Most employers are quite flexible about references as long as they know it's not just your mate writing about how fab you are.

If you're applying to a school don't leave any unexplained gaps in your employment history as that can trigger concerns from a safeguarding angle. If you were travelling / bringing up children / caring for a relative then say so. I recently interviewed someone for a school post and she had written that she had spent seven years with her family but then she went on to write about the skills she felt she had picked up through that time - resourcefulness, time management, budgeting etc. It went down really well.

Good luck!

Thanks helenagrace some very useful pointers there .

Am still dithering over whether to apply or not - it is 37 hour/week and i didn't really want that many as I am currently (by choice) around when the dc come out of school. But it may be too good an opportunity to pass by (as in term time, close to dds schools, familiarity with school etc).