Referees after being out of work a while

[user1493423934]

Will try and keep this brief . ..
Anyway, I haven't worked fulltime in 8 years since I had my youngest. (Three kids in childcare too expensive etc etc). I have been applying for jobs in the last year (had a few issues - 2 SN kids, etc etc hence the delay). Anyway, had a few interviews, finally had what I thought was a really good interview a couple of weeks ago, and they requested my referee contacts. Yay!
Anyway, got told today that despite doing really well in interview, they 'couldn't get enough information about me from my referees.' So I didn't get the job.
To put in context, I have been working part time using my skills that relevant to the jobs I'm applying for and doing volunteering for a charity the last few years. So I used my manager who said 'really positive' things about me, but I only meet up with her once a month (work mainly from home and communicate via phone and email). That isn't enough apparently. I also do a few cleaning jobs and used a woman I clean for who runs a local business, I go there at night and it is quite full on as there is lots of expensive stuff there. She was also very positive apparently. I do another few cleaning jobs too, however know this woman the best, been cleaning the longest.
Feeling so frustrated! the woman who interviewed me knows I don't worked full time (on my CV obviously) but gave me a lecture that referees need to have a lot more understanding of my day to day work - which is hard as i don't work full time! I can't increase my work at the charity, but my manager and I get on well and she is always positive about my work, and I also volunteer there when I can (hard when you're a single mother of 3 kids).
The interviewer suggested I temp - I did earlier this year but it was hard with childcare - very hard to get casual childcare around here and it's tricky when you are in casual employment (hence needig a full time job!). She also suggested I do more volunteer work - but i already do enough and just don't have time at the moment.
There is literally no one else I can use as a referee - my last manager when I was full time was 8 years ago, has gone AWOL (not on facebook or linkedin) and I was told someone from 8 years ago is too long (which i totally agree with).
I help out at kids school but not part of PTA, and the only other people would be the people I clean for who know even less about me than the current women I use as referees.
I have another interview next week, so a bit stressed about this now! any advice? thanks!

Goodness me. What is it this new employer wanted? How much detail? Sounds completely unreasonable!

I don't understand why the reference from the charity wasn't good enough. Usually these days references are just "they worked here between this date and this date" and don't tell you anything about the person's character etc.

Could you ask them what info they expected to have from the referees?

I had this difficulty a couple of years ago. Moving to a new sector where more detailed references were wanted. I ended up with a reference from a charity, a friend personal reference, a previous employer reference (dates only), full DBS check. It wasnt really quite enough - but I kept communicating with the employer and in the end they accepted them. I am now moving within the sector and yet again the date only references are not sufficient, but what can you do.

Perhaps ask if a professional friend (eg teacher, doctor, manager) could provide a personal reference relating to qualities and values.

Thanks for your replies.
I'm not from the UK - so it is practice here to provide 2 work related referees who potential employer can ring and ask detailed questions about your work habits etc, so obviously your current/previous boss is preferred. A 'worked here between this date and this date' isn't enough. Also a written reference isn't acceptable - potential employer has to be able to contact them by phone. So personal reference, or using a doctor, teacher etc (unless they were your boss) isn't an option either.
Isleep interviewer lectured told me that at their work (a big government dept) they expect a lot of detail about work habits fro mtheir referees, and i wouldn't have even been hired in the lowest role possible with a reference from my boss! apparently only seeing her once a month 'isn't enough' and they needed 'far more detail.' Grr . .

I actually got a bit arsey and explained I hadn't worked full time (as was evident on my CV) and in that situation it is very difficult, or impossible to get a referee with that amount of detail and she suggested I went temping (even though I'd already explained it's not really an option due to the erratic nature, lack of childcare etc), then suggested i did more volunteering! yeah cos I've so much free time . . .

It all sounds ridiculous, I’m sorry this is proving so hard for you OP.

I’ve worked in the NHS. They wanted 3 years of referencing. Dates only references were fine. I’ve worked for a university who only wanted two references, again they wanted dates only. And a government department checked my 5 years of employment history with HRMC - they didn’t even write to employers, they just wanted to check dates! They then did security checks (not employment related) and asked for a character reference.

To volunteer in a school they wanted
two character references so I gave them a manager and a close friend who also happens to be a former colleague with manager in their title - who was two grades above so was technically a “senior colleague” at work.

Everywhere I have worked only gives out basic references from HR so they can hardly demand detailed references.

How crazy this is when they can get rid of you anytime within the first 2 yes! 😮

*yrs.

I have another interview on Tuesday for another govt dept - not sure whether to mention anything or not?

There must be so many women in my situation - returning to work after x amount of years off. Gah!

Their loss. If it happens again you could try saying: I get the impression you like me and want to offer me the job, My referees are current and have given you positive feedback, If it's not the usual level of feedback you'd expect, I'd be happy to do a trial week with you to consolidate any skills you need proof of.

growling yeah good idea.
Well I spoke to my friend who works in HR, and she reassured me that it is not commonplace to expect a reference to be from a full time role, she just prefers the most recent manager, and also commented that I'd 'dodged a bullet.' Hmm. I know I should let it go but thinking of ringing the HR on Monday and querying ? (there was no HR present in interview, and the interviwer that rang me and told me about all the references stuff was the team leader). Anyway, thanks for all your replies, time to study up for Tuesday's interview!

Definitely speak to HR. I'm currently temping in an organisation that allows hiring managers to ref check. It should be HR or managers need to be trained.

I'm in Aus BTW.

Yes definitely chase/follow up with the old interview, references person - just to put your mind at rest.