References after being a SAHM

[Whotouse]

I've been unemployed for the past 10 years, due to illness for the first 4 and then the last six I've been a SAHM. I've been looking to return to work and just found the perfect job to apply for but they are asking for two references and won't accept personal friends, relatives or neighbours.

I haven't kept in touch with any of my ex-colleagues and would feel really cheeky emailing them out of the blue after a decade to ask for a favour but I really have no one else to ask.

Has anyone else been in this situation or could you offer some advice?
Thank you!

Why don't you ring the potential employer and explain your situation? I have had exactly the same issue and several times been told that a friend/neighbour would be acceptable in the circumstances. I think most companies are more aware and sympathetic these days.

Alternatively if there is an HR department at your last company they'll be very used to requests like this. References cover very little these days, more just a case of confirming dates of employment

Don't feel cheeky! At least when you've asked them once you can ask them again for future applications?

My advice would be to get the references, it is hard and I can relate, but some places will not accept applications without them, so try to get them.

Are you on LInked In? You could try and connect with them there, if they accept they'd probably give a reference.

Just wanted to follow up and say thanks for the advice. I did get in touch with my old employer and not only got a reference but also a job offer! Unfortunately I couldn't take it but it did give me a much needed confidence boost.

I needed another reference as there was only one suitable person still working at my old place of employment so I asked the tutor of a part time course I've been doing and she agreed to provide a reference as well so on that front I'm all sorted.

I did get an interview but didn't get the job. I was a bit sad but it was good to find out I can give an interview and not make a total idiot of myself after being out of practice for so long and I'm feeling much more confident now than a couple of months ago.