[quietman58]

I am filling out my application for employment. Problem is I have no references to list on my application. I don't associate with anyone. I am pretty much a loner. Outside of family members I don't know anyone. Can I put "I DON'T KNOW ANYONE" and get away with it? I could just make up references but that would be bad I know. Any suggestions?

 

[supersoshychick]

i put down my sisters friends, hmmmm i understand what you mean though it's sad. becuase in most jobs they want you to be socializing so if you put down, "I DON'T HAVE ANY" or something like that. They won't hire you because they wouldn't think you're socializing.

 

[quietman58]

i put down my sisters friends, hmmmm i understand what you mean though it's sad. becuase in most jobs they want you to be socializing so if you put down, "I DON'T HAVE ANY" or something like that. They won't hire you because they wouldn't think you're socializing.

I can't even do that since I live in a separate state from my family. How pathetic is my life when I don't know of 1 person that I can use for a reference. I'm alone in my little world. It puts it all in prespective.

 

[lastofthekews]

I know how you feel. I always worry what will happen if I lose my job as I haven't any idea who to put for references. I can't rely on my current boss as i've known other people ask for references and he hasn't given them; my previous boss died a couple of years ago; and all the other places i've worked have now closed down. Outside of work I don't know anyone I could put down for a reference.

I've always got my jobs through my dad (who isn't alive now), and my previous boss (who is also deceased). I've never had to apply for a job or go for an interview, but I know that after this job i'm going to have to do these and I don't know what i'll do.

I don't really know what to say about who to use as references. People say ask your doctor or a family friend, but if you don't talk to anyone how do you do this? I've also considered putting I don't know anyone to put as a reference on a job application when/if I have to find a new job, but I don't know if its a good idea.

 

[LostPancake]

I guess if I had to I'd put something like "I'm really shy and don't have any people I'm close to, other than relatives" and then list some of your nicer relatives. Depending on the type of job and how much social interaction it required that might be okay.

When I applied at a temp agency a while back I didn't list any references, and in the interview I just said I just moved here, and didn't really know anyone yet. She seemed a little confused by that, but I guess it was okay, because I did get a decent job through them.

 

[OneIsALonelyNumber]

References are tough. I remember running into that problem when first looking for a job. I ended up getting another phone hooked up in my apartment (with a different #) and then listing that phone # as a reference. Of course I never answered that phone. Hm... now that I think about it, maybe that's no longer a good solution. Don't a lot of newer phones display the name of the person you're calling?

For my second reference, I used my Mom, even though I wasn't supposed to because she's family. She had remarried, and had a different last name, so I just put down her new name and didn't mention she was related.

Another option (in case you're not aware) is to look around for an application that doesn't ask for references. Not everyone wants them.

 

[cakesniffer]

I would recommend volunteering so that you can get one or two professional references. A lot of employers won't accept personal references, not to mention phantom ones. I once had absolutely no references either, but I started volunteering simply because I was bored. It was there that I got two solid professional references! Then I did an internship, and scored another. It's not as hard as it seems, but you do have to work a little for them.

 

[erdecis]

It depends on the employer, I think - some actually call your references and some don't, so if you know that they won't try to contact them, you can put anybody on there...

I ran into this issue just last week; went to a temp agency and they wanted to get in touch with two professional references. The two that I did list weren't reachable anymore with the contact info I had and I never kept up with them or anything, so I asked my sister (different last name) and one of my husband's friends. Technically I did work with them before, so it wasn't a complete cheat-out but I did feel like crap a bit for not having "real" references. However, thanks to them I am currently working

Good luck with your job hunt!

 

[hyacinth_dragon]

I've used friends , teachers, relatives. Luckily I've met some people who seemed relatively understanding. I don't know what I will use for a reference in the future though.

 

[Aurora]

I have the same problem and when I ask a professional (like an employment agency) they tell me to 'network' yourself. Umm, I have SA, how the heck can I 'network'.

 

[shyvr6]

My only guess would be to put down "Will discuss if needed."

 

[Futures]

I remember my parents calling the neighbors and asking them to be a reference for me (how embarassing). I had my previous employer + 3 neighbors since most applications ask for 3 or 4 references.

Then I found a 1 month temp job that didn't ask for references and when I completed that job I gained one more professional reference.

Ironically enough, when I got my 3rd job and they were doing my background check, my previous job reference didn't remember who I was when they called him. So they called me to question me about it and I had to clarify to them that it was because the job was so short that is why he didn't remember. My manager from my first job also didn't work at the company anymore so they had to verify my info with the HR department of the company.

 

[CarlitoBrigante]

I've always hated having to do that. Just put "References available upon request" and just tell your boss/interviewer your situation in as few words as possible if asked.

And if they don't ask you anything... even better!

 

[Moon Fire]

Can references mean professionals that you know such as former employers, teachers, landlords, doctors? I never knew that it meant FRIENDS.

 

[Zephyr]

Lack of references is a problem for me as well, and I'm not sure how to get around it. I could be honest and say I don't have any, but that would probably not be too efficacious. All the references I had were from summer jobs while in university, and now that's some time ago so I've really got nothin'.

Can references mean professionals that you know such as former employers, teachers, landlords, doctors? I never knew that it meant FRIENDS.

Usually it doesn't. In my experience they usually specify they want work references, or possibly teacher/professor etc. They don't accept friends or family.