References

[Shadowfax2000]

I'm not sure of this should come under relationships or work but here goes. I'm a male 50, and worked in the same job for over 10yrs. I've been thinking of changing job for the last year or so just for a different challenge but I've heard from a few sites and things online that if you've worked in the same job for that length of time a new employer will also for a reference from your current or last employer as one reference (which is no problem) and another will be a personal reference from a friend etc. The problem being is when you get a bit older you lose for a good or bad reasons old friends and I don't know anyone I could use as a personal reference. Doe anyone know if this is is true? There's a few stories on YouTube etc where people also lose friends so I know it happens and I've drifted apart from old school/twentysomething friends and drifted away from a couple of mates in lockdown who's only seemed interested in going out drinking so drifted away from me when the pubs were shut. I can't say I'm Mr sociable and probably have struggled for a few years after lockdown socially but I fancied the change in job/environment to give me a new start on life but this reference thing has got me worried that I'll have to message people I haven't even spoke to for 10yrs. My current work colleagues have changed a bit over the last few years so I keep myself away from most things so that rules them out. Could anyone give advice if they know about HR etc?

It's usually two work references. Either two people from your current job or sometimes you can just put HR from a previous job. My dd's current job didn't bother asking for any references.

My current job I needed one reference from previous employer and a character reference

We wouldn't ask for a reference from a friend - both references would have to be from someone who knows you in your professional capacity (unless a school/uni leaver).

First reference is normally the official work reference from HR (who often will only confirm dates you’ve worked), second is a personal reference, but not from a friend; it’s normally from someone who has managed you, or if you’re not in touch with ex line managers, from someone who has worked with you. I’ve also been asked to supply references for people who have done freelance work for me. Good luck with the job search!

So one from my employer and the other from a manager or even work colleague?

Work in Talent at a large/well known multinational company.

We take 2 work references to confirm employment history and perform a criminal history and identity check if a senior role handling large budgets.

I’ve never worked anywhere that took personal references in the last 10 years.

I don't have any convictions or even debt worries as I have savings/shares and mortgage free I'm just worried about having to panic to get a character reference from a friend. I could get the normal work reference and get one from an old or current manager though.

I think you’d be fine putting a former manager or colleague (even if they are from your current employer) down as a character reference. That’s if you’re even asked to provide one. A county council asked me to provide references from 2 former employers and a character reference but that was almost 10 years ago. No nother employer has since.

For most employers I worked for in the last 10 years we would only request a reference from the most recent employer when the new employee had worked for them for 5+ years. That one reference covered the entire 3-5 years of employment/education history, which has been the common time period for employers I worked for that did reference checks.
Some sectors may vary on this.

My current employer and the 2 before that (different sectors) don’t even bother requesting references anymore. I asked why not the first time around and it made complete sense. The information that comes back is so limited these days; all 3 employers would only send basic references out when they received reference requests too of course 😉!

You're possibly overthinking this a bit. Employers will tell you what's acceptable to them if you ask them and there's often a bit of latitude for the second one. Until you have an offer, you won't know exactly what they want and you could be worrying about nothing.

I probably am you're right. I think I'd rather just decline the job offer rather than saying I don't actually have a friend who I could contact as that would sound terrible.

Sometimes it's two work references asked for, so one from.your current employer and one from your previous employer. Each organization will have their own policy on references so no one can really tell you for sure. Good luck with your job search.