what do you do for references if you've been a sahm for a while?

[rainbowtoenails]

4 years since last job and they went bust so no ref possible. I can get a recent academic ref and an old colleague to do another but would a potential employer be happy with this?

What have you done since the paid job? Any voluntary work that may be quoted on your CV where someone could be a referee?
If you can't give employer references it is not the end of the world, you will need character references instead.
All an employer is looking for is someone who can probably do the job and is 'employable' and will take up references to 'prove' what they can.
It is highly unlikely that the lack of references from an employer would stop you getting a job.

Yes ive done/am doing vol work and have ex colleagues who can vouch for me. Thats a relief that its not a big no no.

I put in my application about transferable skills used in SAHM work and paid work and gave character references that would back those up e.g. another mum who was on a parents' committee with me.

Yes, that should be fine. Academic (proof of what you've been up to recently), old colleague (personal + professional) + you'll get someone from voluntary work?

Are you on linkedin? Are your old co workers? I recently joined a temping agency after nearly 9 years out of work (apart from census job). I was 2 weeks into first job and knew they were checking my refs that week, when I get a link request from my agency consultant. He'd obviously gone to have a search for me, I hadn't told him I was on it. I was glad that after a long career break there was proof via my links that my cv was true and correct.