Reference Advice Please

[MrsMorello]

I'm applying for a new job and the application form asks for two referees who will be contacted prior to interview. One referee has to be my most recent employer, which is fine, but I'm not sure who to put down as the second.

The company I'm applying to has asked for the name, telephone number and to state how long I have known the referee. Would it be ok to put down the name of a former employer where references come from HR and not the line managers? The 'how long have you known this person' bit bothers me as it suggests I need to know this person well and obviously the HR department only know me as an ex-employee and not on a personal level. If I gave the name of one of the HR advisors who has given me a reference in the past would this suffice?

Thank you in advance.

I'm interpreting this as them wanting the second reference to be a personal one. A friend who can comment on your qualities or someone you've previously worked with would do the trick. If this is the case, they want to know about you as a person rather than your work abilities. (Obviously comments like "a reliable person who is active in her local community" are preferable to "a good laugh on a night out; she can drink all of us under the table").

I've written references for a couple of friends in the past (both successful in their applications!).