Trouble getting a reference!

[bloodline76]

I started my new job 3 weeks ago and it’s going really well however when I first gave my 2 references they failed to tell me they both have to be professional ones. My previous employer gave there’s no problem but I’m having a job getting one from the job before them. I’ve messaged my old manager twice now and she’s just ignored them, the other girl no longer works with them so I will have to go to the owner who I know full well will make if so difficult. Other than that my previous employers either no longer exist (gone into administration) or I’m no longer in contact with them and I doubt they’ll even remember me as during 2020 I had a few temp jobs!

I have a character reference so do you think this will be okay to give as it’s becoming impossible at the moment to get any response! Never had this problem before and it’s baffling me as to why something so simple is proving impossible!!!

Note: I’m still in training at the moment but I’ve been payed and signed all the forms including contract (Nothing in there states references)

Has anyone else experienced this?

You can still get it from the HR department if they have one. Reference is usually, you worked there from x to y. They don't need to know you, just confirm you worked there.

 

[Rroff]

I wonder how many employers actually request references from previous employers listed on an application form. I bet many dont bother...

We rarely bother at work, I dunno about management hires, but for run of the mill stuff it is rarely useful.

Aside from my current job I'd struggle, my previous references either the business no longer exists or has changed so much due to acquisitions, etc. they probably couldn't even confirm I worked there let alone anything more and so on.

 

[Felon]

Not sure if it helps, but if you login to your HMRC portal - you can get it to pull down all your tax records for all of your previous employers, it'll give you the company name, start and end date and amount paid, for each role - up to around 5 years I think.

It's not a professional reference, but it will help you prove that you worked/were paid by the company.

 

[roxyroo92]

So little update I finally managed to get one so hopefully all is well now. I think the problem and urgency of having a professional one was due to the fact the hr staff member asking for it is new so was probably following policy. I did say if that won’t do they will have to just take my character one.