If I don't have references for a job, how can I work around that? (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 year ago by MossBear@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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I asked a job related question the other day on here and got some really helpful answers, so I was hoping you all could give me some further insight into this.

Basically, I have a chronic illness which means I spend most of my time at home and I'm largely disconnected from other people and don't really have anything in the way of references. I've owned my own business for the last several years selling products online, but that business has been declining for awhile and I'm looking into customer service type jobs that I could do from home.

If a company asks for references, how would I work around that?

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[-] MiddleWeigh@lemmy.world 30 points 1 year ago

Tbh...just lie. Base it firmly in reality though and get your story straight. Astroturf the entire reference with people you know, who may or may not have been involved with the reality. Make it believable to the rest of the application. Chances are your references will be passed over entirely anyway while whoever is doing the bare minimum to get through their work day checks over your application.

This may or may not be good advice. 🤷

[-] AFKBRBChocolate@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago

I've been a hiring manager for many years. I rarely check references, and when I do it's because I'm on the fence about someone. If I checked a reference and had even a hint that it was bogus, it would turn me into a hard no. My bar for ethical behavior is pretty high.

I think it's much better advice to just be honest. There's no harm in providing friends as references as long as you explain it and are up front about it.

this post was submitted on 10 Aug 2023

68 points (98.6% liked)

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