job references [help!]

[charly]

so i'm a little lost here, and figured someone here might be able to help me.
still looking for a job, but i'm having problems with it comes to references.

see the problem is, that i don't really have any.
past jobs are outdated (managers have moved on, etc.)
and i don't think saying i have no references sounds very good, so i'm not sure what i should do instead.
any suggestions?

[Dean]

make stuff up/put outdated stuff.... they rarely check up....

if you have nothing they might even just toss your resume

[Senior]

Go back to where you used to work and speak to the current manager. Tell them your predicament and hope they give you a reference. The most important thing though is to get a writen reference on company letter head when you are going to leave a job though, always do so in the future.

[Kraig]

^^ I agree and disagree. Written letters of reference are important, but it some cases when you are applying for management-type positions, they will need to speak with your references directly.

It is VERY important to maintain contact with your references over the years especially if it was from your previous employer.

Anyway... to solve your problem, contact the HR department or the manager that is in the spot of the manager that left (like Nolan said). As that person if they know how to reach that previous manager that left and if they would be so kind as to provide you with an email or, if they won't provide that, then ask them to contact that person for you. -- Try your best to re-establish contact with your reference... they are worth their weight in gold. If that doesn't work, try and find someone still at the company that can at least vouch for your tenure there.

Cheers.

[*Geminiz*]

Sorry to interupt your thread...but I have a question. :)

What is the maximum number of references from one employer should you use when applying for a position? I've been here for about 6 years therefore have had about 5 different bosses - all of which would give me outstanding appraisal. I think 2 is acceptable? Maybe 3?

[Kraig]

Originally Posted by *Geminiz*

Sorry to interupt your thread...but I have a question. :)

What is the maximum number of references from one employer should you use when applying for a position? I've been here for about 6 years therefore have had about 5 different bosses - all of which would give me outstanding appraisal. I think 2 is acceptable? Maybe 3?

NEVER just send your references along with your resume when you are applying for a position. That's like including your SIN number on a resume - you just NEVER do it as it's personal information that no one needs at that point.

To answer your question, include reference that can not only best speak to what you have done in the past, but that can speak to what you have done that's relevant to the position you are applying for.

[dapimpstress]

kraig's pro man, this dude knows whats up...


propz fer bein such a smarty! *wink* i'd give u karma if i could...

[Liqwid]

Originally Posted by Ashes

kraig's pro man, this dude knows whats up...


propz fer bein such a smarty! *wink* i'd give u karma if i could...

Yeah....kraigers i'd give u some Good-JOB-Karma if it could!!!

yer soo professional!!!

~Dalyn

[ppcock]

do what i did

call up a friend that know's something (in my case.. i called up an old internet tech friend) tell the employer to call this person and blammo there's the refrence.

they didnt call though.

[Kraig]

Awwww tanks for the kind words!

I've been coaching peeps and hiring people for a long time now. You pick stuff up over the years!

[Kraig]

Originally Posted by ppcock

do what i did

call up a friend that know's something (in my case.. i called up an old internet tech friend) tell the employer to call this person and blammo there's the refrence.

they didnt call though.

Be careful in doing this. It may work for a McDonalds-type company, but it will not (usually) work in any sort of professional environment. I can speak to my experience in reference checking, that I can ask a series of questions to flush out a liar. If I ultimately get the sense that this is a fake reference (this is why I never take reference letters seriously as they can be easily forged), then I won't hire you and frankly, would black list you if I found you got hired anywhere else.

[stringbeans]

ive never been asked for references, but before i leave a job i always ask for my supervisor's business card/contact info

[*Geminiz*]

Originally Posted by Kraig

NEVER just send your references along with your resume when you are applying for a position. That's like including your SIN number on a resume - you just NEVER do it as it's personal information that no one needs at that point.

To answer your question, include reference that can not only best speak to what you have done in the past, but that can speak to what you have done that's relevant to the position you are applying for.

I didn't mean I would send references with my resume - I meant when applying - during the interview and if/when they ask for references. I don't think I made myself too clear.

I would also obviously put the best person possible to speak about me and my previous experience etc- but do you think just 1 is sufficient? Is 3 too many from one employer?

[Kraig]

Originally Posted by *Geminiz*

I didn't mean I would send references with my resume - I meant when applying - during the interview and if/when they ask for references. I don't think I made myself too clear.

I would also obviously put the best person possible to speak about me and my previous experience etc- but do you think just 1 is sufficient? Is 3 too many from one employer?

Always better to bring more than less.

Ensure you have:
- The first and last name of the person
- Their title.
- Email address
- Office phone and/or cell
- Your relationship with them IE: "Reported directly to" or "Co-worker on project" or whatever.

[charly]

Originally Posted by Kraig

^^ I agree and disagree. Written letters of reference are important, but it some cases when you are applying for management-type positions, they will need to speak with your references directly.

It is VERY important to maintain contact with your references over the years especially if it was from your previous employer.

I'm realizing that now. :\
I was supposed to get a written letter of reference from my last job, but I never did. I guess I'll harass them about it.

I'm not too worried about management-type positions at the moment. I haven't even turned 19 yet, so I'm not into jobs like that yet.

Thanks :)

[charly]

Originally Posted by stringbeans

ive never been asked for references, but before i leave a job i always ask for my supervisor's business card/contact info

i have ALWAYS been asked for references.

I'm just kind of stuck for places where managers aren't even there anymore, or they aren't even open kind of thing.

I feel stupid for not having references. :\

And the most reference I can get from my last job is a letter. Anything else is apparently against company policy?

[Liqwid]

Originally Posted by Kraig

Be careful in doing this. It may work for a McDonalds-type company, but it will not (usually) work in any sort of professional environment. I can speak to my experience in reference checking, that I can ask a series of questions to flush out a liar. If I ultimately get the sense that this is a fake reference (this is why I never take reference letters seriously as they can be easily forged), then I won't hire you and frankly, would black list you if I found you got hired anywhere else.

Wut do u do kraig???

aside from throwing RAVES!!!

~Dalyn

[Leviathan]

When I was your age I found that getting references from a teacher, couldn't hurt either. Even out of post secondary I used a couple of Profs from a different department that I did a project for as references. I think most employers realise that at your age, your most likely not going to have alot of references.

Originally Posted by charly

i have ALWAYS been asked for references.

I'm just kind of stuck for places where managers aren't even there anymore, or they aren't even open kind of thing.

I feel stupid for not having references. :\

And the most reference I can get from my last job is a letter. Anything else is apparently against company policy?

[ppcock]

Originally Posted by Kraig

Be careful in doing this. It may work for a McDonalds-type company, but it will not (usually) work in any sort of professional environment. I can speak to my experience in reference checking, that I can ask a series of questions to flush out a liar. If I ultimately get the sense that this is a fake reference (this is why I never take reference letters seriously as they can be easily forged), then I won't hire you and frankly, would black list you if I found you got hired anywhere else.

i've never worked at mc donalds
so big fu to you

i did it for EA.

[charly]

Originally Posted by Leviathan

When I was your age I found that getting references from a teacher, couldn't hurt either. Even out of post secondary I used a couple of Profs from a different department that I did a project for as references. I think most employers realise that at your age, your most likely not going to have alot of references.

that would work if i was actually going to school. :\