References - help

[Ordea]

I've got a new job (yay!) and need to give two references. But I can't! I was in my last job for eight years and they can supply a reference. But beyond that .. the firm I worked for before them has since gone bust (nothing to do with me!) and the one before that I've emailed and asked if they'll give one. That's going back 12 years! They've very kindly said they will confirm very limited information but my old line manager has moved on and although a couple of people in the office remember me they don't have records about me as such. Is this going to be a problem??! I really want this job!

Please help 🙏 has anyone else been in a similar situation?

Do you have the personal contact details of an old manager and can you approach them directly? Message on LinkedIn?

You’re best to ask the new job. They might let you use a personal reference.

Any voluntary work?
I would explain to new job and ask them what else they would accept. They might accept the limited info from the old place or a dual ref from the last one or a personal reference.

I'd ask if you can supply a personal reference instead alongside the limited information your previous workplace can provide. This must be a reasonably common issue - managers move on and workplaces shut down all the time.

Can you use 2 people from your last workplace?

I did a reference once for a colleague I had worked alongside. She also used her line manager

Just explain the situation to the new company. It's very unlikely to be a deal breaker, and they can then advise you what alternative options they might accept.

Thanks everyone. I guess I'm worried because on the application form it asked for two references and technically I don't have that. But what can I do if people have gone bust??! I can't prove I worked there, nobody can.

I'm in a similar situation, I've received my contract today and asked for 2 references which have to be professional. I've given my last work place from 4 years ago. I have been a sahm since. I have found an old manager from the job I had before, I've messaged to ask if he would provide one. Fingers crossed!

Yes, fingers crossed for both of us! I hope that "Bob in accounts remembers ordea and he thinks she was ok" will be enough for me!

I was in a similar position - I worked as a childminder for 10 years before that worked for an nhs trust that merged . I used 2 parents who used my childminding service.

I'm in a similar position with a job I have applied for after 19 years in my current post. I emailed the recruitment team at the new company to ask and they have said they would accept a personal reference as the second one. I have given someone that I have worked closely with as a partner and stakeholder on various projects, so a relevant professional reference but not my employer IYSWIM