What Do I Put If I Have No References?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,
  1. Current manager.
  2. Former manager.
  3. Team leader.
  4. Senior coworker.
  5. Mentor.
  6. Job coach.
  7. Hiring manager.

Is it okay to not have references?


Employers have a right to be suspicious without good references

, but you can try to calm their nerves and give them some extra assurance by showing them who you are as an employee. Then THEY can be your recent reference!

How do I apply for a job without references?

Start by

going back to teachers

or professors you’ve had in college or high school. You could also ask a coach, someone you worked for as a volunteer, or someone who managed a project you worked on. If you really have to dig, you can even ask someone in the community you grew up in or someone you babysat for.

Can you be employed without a reference?

Unless your business is regulated by the Financial Services Authority, generally

there is no legal obligation on an employer to provide a reference

for an employee or ex-employee and you are entitled to refuse to provide one.

What do I do if my previous employer won’t give me a reference?

If your old employer doesn’t want to give you a reference, you could ask

them just to give a short one – known as a ‘basic reference’

. For example, they could confirm when you worked for them and what your job title was. A lot of employers only give basic references, so your new employer won’t think it’s unusual.

Can I fake a reference?

Are fake references illegal?

Fake references are illegal

– if you’re caught. Directly lying is incredibly unethical, and if caught, you could be fired or face legal trouble. Companies rarely sue for lying, but the people you named on your reference list have every right to.

Do employers actually call references?


Employers typically contact references toward the end of the hiring process

. … Employers could ask for references at any point in the hiring process. It’s usually helpful to prepare a list of references when you first start looking for jobs so you can offer it whenever the employer asks.

What do I do if I don’t have 2 references?

If you’re applying for a position and the employer asks for references, find either

an academic contact or close character reference outside

of a professional setting. Ask your favorite teacher or the coach if they will be a reference as you start your first career move.

Can a friend be a reference?

Friends… But Only if They’re a Professional Reference

Most of the time, it’s best to leave your friends off your list of references. However, there are two

occasions

when using a friend as your reference can be acceptable: They’re currently employed at the business to which you’re applying. They were your supervisor.

Can I put my mom as a reference?

Hiring managers generally assume your parents can’t give an objective view of your work history or how you’ll behave as an employee, so

don’t put them down as references

. That goes for all family members, as they will most likely think you’re pretty great, Banul says.

Can you sue for a bad reference?

The answer is

yes

! You can file a lawsuit against your former employer for giving out negative references about you. You can potentially sue for defamation. … Your former employer must have made false statements about you.

Can I get a reference if I was dismissed?

Getting a reference


Your old employer doesn’t have to give you a reference

– but if they do, it has to be truthful and fair. You might get a bad reference if you’ve been sacked for poor performance or misconduct. … Many employers do this, so it won’t look odd to a new employer.

Can ex employer give bad reference?

It is commonly assumed that a previous employer must give a reference and is legally prohibited from giving a bad one. … Your employer can give you a bad or unfavourable reference, but

only if they genuinely believe it to be true and accurate and have reasonable grounds for that belief

.

What can an employer say in a reference?

Employers

can usually be truthful

during a reference check, but they should be aware of their rights and responsibilities under state law. There are no federal laws that address what an employer can or can’t say about a worker.

Can a previous employer disclose why you left?

In many cases, if you were fired or terminated from employment, the company can say so.

They can also give a reason

. For example, if someone was fired for stealing or falsifying a timesheet, the company can explain why the employee was terminated.

Can a former employer bad mouth you?

In short, yes.

There are no federal laws restricting what an employer can

or cannot say about a former employee. That being said, some employers are extremely cautious about what they do and don’t say to minimize their liability in the event of a lawsuit.

Rachel Ostrander
Author
Rachel Ostrander
Rachel is a career coach and HR consultant with over 5 years of experience working with job seekers and employers. She holds a degree in human resources management and has worked with leading companies such as Google and Amazon. Rachel is passionate about helping people find fulfilling careers and providing practical advice for navigating the job market.