Application Form question (sorry)

Biohazard · 10 Oct 2006 at 21:11

"Referees should have known you for at least 3 years and must be over 18 years old. Do not give names of your relatives.
Detaills of a personal and/or academic referee will be required if you have less than 5 years' emlpoyment history."

This is on my girlfriends application I am helping her with...

Now at the great risk of feeling stupid I figure that to mean that she doesn't need to put anything down as she has 5 years concurrent job history...

Although I would just like to get a second opinion before the envelope gets sealed..

thanks

Zefan · 10 Oct 2006 at 21:13

I hate this, I know why you're asking because it's not clear if it means if you need to give one in one case, one in all cases, or none in your case. It sucks.

I have no idea

Biohazard · 10 Oct 2006 at 21:17

I thought thats what someone would say, unfortunatly..

Its for John Lewis, retailer. The application itself is actually very light, however that statement confused me a little...

semi-pro waster · 10 Oct 2006 at 21:20

The way I read that is that you do not need to put down a reference if you have been in employment for 5 years or over. So in your girlfriends case she wouldn't need to put anything, I assume they will just contact her current employer to ask for a reference if necessary.

Biohazard · 10 Oct 2006 at 21:26

semi-pro waster said:
The way I read that is that you do not need to put down a reference if you have been in employment for 5 years or over. So in your girlfriends case she wouldn't need to put anything, I assume they will just contact her current employer to ask for a reference if necessary.

Thats what I thought initially, that they'd reffer to the employers. It was the lack of clarity that has made me think twice...

yermum · 10 Oct 2006 at 21:27

My understanding of this is that if you have worked for more than 5 years, you should be submitting a reference from your employers. Less than this and you should be submitting a reference from school, college etc. This is put in for school leavers who would not have had much work experience due to their age.

John Lewis are ace to work for as the whole thing runs for the benefit of the partners and they are really in to looking after the workforce. I worked for them for 5 years whilst at college and my Mum worked for them until her retirement.

Good luck to your girlfriend in getting the job.

4ndy89 · 10 Oct 2006 at 21:33

yermum said:
My understanding of this is that if you have worked for more than 5 years, you should be submitting a reference from your employers. Less than this and you should be submitting a reference from school, college etc. This is put in for school leavers who would not have had much work experience due to their age.

This answer sounds about right to me.

DannyDan · 10 Oct 2006 at 21:33

yermum said:
My understanding of this is that if you have worked for more than 5 years, you should be submitting a reference from your employers. Less than this and you should be submitting a reference from school, college etc. This is put in for school leavers who would not have had much work experience due to their age.

Yup, that's the way I'd read it too

loopstah · 10 Oct 2006 at 21:47

yermum said:
My understanding of this is that if you have worked for more than 5 years, you should be submitting a reference from your employers. Less than this and you should be submitting a reference from school, college etc. This is put in for school leavers who would not have had much work experience due to their age.

Yep, another vote for this view.