References

[MaggieAtwood]

I have been offered a job (yay!) subject to the receipt of two satisfactory references.

I was only in my previous role for 8 months (Sept 2009 to April 2010) before I was made redundant and have been on 'maternity leave' with my dd who is now 13 months old. Prior to that my most recent role was between 2000 to 2005 - I was a SAHM for 4 years.

The reference from my most recent company isn't a problem as it was relatively recent but it is 6 years since I worked at the company before that. Will they still have my details on file? Will they even remember who I am? Will my new company even bother to contact a reference from so long ago (I'm sure documentation relating to staff can be destroyed after 6 years).

Should I give the name of someone else from my most recent employment as they require a minimum of 2 referees?

Any thoughts appreciated.

TIA

In your case you can either use a work mate from your last place as a second reference. Or a friend that is respectable. If you are religious then a minister from your church could do too. They can act as character reference.

I rather think that employers take up references to make sure that they have the right candidate for the job. People can talk up what they can do but a previous employer may indicate that they'd never employ them again by saying very very little in the reference. (Maggie worked here from date to date, but no more than that, the lack of detail speaks volumes!)
Not suggesting that this is the case here BTW!
Your previous employer is a valuable reference from this perspective, as is any other employer, but a character reference from a 'well regarded' person will do just as well.
Your prospective employer needs to know that you can do what you say you can do, simple as that, so choose your referees accordingly.

Thanks for the replies.

Would you say then that a referee from 6 years ago is to old to use? Does anyone who works in HR know the cut off point when employer references are considered too old?

2 (large) businesses I used to work for only give very basic details, confirming name, dates and position for references. A lot of companies do this as normal policy. It's to avoid being sued or something if something not positive is written. I think it's just an honesty check on your history.

I've worked for a number of large corporations and all only officially give a letter confirming start date and end date and that i left of my own accord.

For references or referees i've always used former colleagues - people I worked closely with on a daily basis to vouch for me. I think they can be recent, or from as long ago as you want if they are still relevant to the role you're applying.