New Job After Career Break References Issue

[JobBreak]

I've been offered a new role after a career break of 8 years or so due to kids, health issue now resolved which was clearly disclosed during which I did small amounts of self employed work but nothing major.

Offered job, given medical checks, asked for certificates etc, all fine. References asks for 5 years of employment so gave the last 5 years so 8 to 13 years back. All progressing fine until one out of three said records no longer exist, nothing can do but other two covered 10 years, likely only gave dates but that's normal. The missing one I provided my contract and offered a payslip. Now they have come back with I need to provide the last 5 years instead - quite annoying as all 3 firms had to do work to get this. I wasn't employed in last 5 years so cannot give employment references, then they said could I get self employed references from then but that is also no I just did small amounts and also clients don't give employee references. Now they are saying may need to go to personal references but awaiting confirmation.

I don't especially have personal references either. Its a job which I love but think they have struggled to recruit for as very specialist. Do you think they are about to withdraw offer?

You will need to provide some type of references to cover the last few years. If you can’t get any from your self employment you’ll have to provide a personal reference like a doctor, a friend who is teacher, previous colleague you’ve kept in touch with, a clergy person. You are bound to know someone who can give you a personal reference?

Previous clients can certainly give references! They just say something along the lines of

“I knew JobBreak from 2018 to 2022 in her role as a free lance designer. She provided a quarterly service to me in my home. I found her to be efficient, honest and reliable.”

Thanks very much, that's useful to know the sort of thing they will be looking for. I definitely won't be able to do the self-employed one as last one was 3 years ago and was mainly looking after SN child in lockdown so just did odd thing here for different people, all abroad from home.

Doctor is a different one each time here, don't have teacher friends, colleagues not really been in touch with that much, don't know religious people. But useful to know type of person they are looking for. I do know professional people but not in those roles, but maybe they would accept that. Trouble is past 5 years has been lockdown and cancer treatment so not the most social.

Been there, had this problem.

I had to ask 'professional' friends who gave me a 'user is not a serial killer' type reference and also a teacher that had known all of my children, so was happy to confirm I hadn't been in prison in the last few years.

It's not easy and I really hated asking people to say that I was a 'suitable' person. (Mostly fear that they would feel unable to say this!)

😂User Yes its not great to have to do this, especially as I've spent the last couple of weeks getting these ones and medical and police checks and I am not really sure what they are wanting people to say. Most of our neighbours here are 75 and would happily talk to them for hours but I think they may regret asking and I have friends but not entirely sure what they can say that's remotely useful. But they could also confirm I don't murder people as a hobby.

When I was a teacher I was often asked to write references for other parents, either those I was friends with or parents known to the school. It’s much more common than you think. I tended to focus on transferable skills such as being punctual, responsible, trustworthy, strong work ethic etc. Is there anyone you could ask at your DC’s school?

Friends can say “I’ve known job break for 2 years. I forgot nd her to be kind, trustworthy and reliable. I know of no reason that Would prevent a company from hiring her”

a neighbour “I have known job break for 8 years. I am a neighbour. Job break is a quiet considerate neighbour. Job break helped us out recently after storm damage. I find job break to be good at organising and efficiency’

Those wordings can be played with but basically the company will want someone to vouch for you to say you are an ok person and not a serial killer

Thanks very much, that's really helpful. Not been asked for this before, well maybe just after university but not for years.

They've come back asking for 1 personal reference detailing specialist skills for job and said either a friend or former colleague so not too bad. Friend would be easier but don't know who they would accept.

In a similar situation I asked a neighbour who is a SE professional to write a letter on his own headed paper saying he had known me for x years between whatever date and now and he believed me to be of upstanding character and he knew of no reason why the Company should not employ me.

Got friend to do reference and did Tues night 27 August and know it would be fine and that should be all checks completed. I have not heard back, already have offer and lots of documents and reputable organisation, and DH thinks I should message them but not sure. I would presume they will contact me once ready and it's school holidays.

Did you hear back yet?

Thanks Crysti. The first reference my friend sent they seem to have not received, also seemed to have coincided with the HR person who requested reference going on annual leave. He sent it again and confirmed received and seems to be going through OK though no contract yet but asked for start date and given a lot more documents. They have spoken to line manager and agreed start date. So I think it's all fine just a lengthy process and holiday season.

Ah that sounds great if they’ve agreed your start date!