Lack of professional references- who do I use??

Question

Am applying for a job which asks for 3 professional references. I was self employed and also worked for family for a while, and to my understanding family can't be used for a reference. The other place where I worked was over 3 yrs ago and that supervisor has left. Who can I use for a reference, I do volunteer work would those supervisors count, also what about a pastor from my church? Any info is appreciated and thanks!

Answer 1

Yep, you betcha'.
Those who give you your volunteer assignment, those who volunteer alongside you, and your pastor are all professional contacts. How about a landlord? Your pastor can speak objectively about your character or work ethic, he's a great reference.
The whole idea behind references is to scout out the bad lemons and avoid them. You're good to go!
Also, if you needed, you could use anybody of whom you are a client or customer: beauty salon, auto mechanic, video store - any of these who are used to seeing you may be in a position to vouch for your conduct, demeanor and appearance. Good luck!

Answer 2

You can use volunteer work as a reference.
You can also (depending how long you've been out of school) ask teachers for a character reference.
In working for the family, was everyone a family member? If not you could use a person that was an employee.
In terms of self employed, you may have some good contacts with people you did business with.

Answer 3

You say you were self employed implying you had customers. That would be a professional contact and referral from a customer is as good as it gets.

Ultimately a 'Professional Reference' is a professional person who will attest to your sense of responsibility and work ethic by virtue of their personal experience. Obviously, the higher the person's stature the better. Be sure to contact the proposed reference for permission prior to submitting their name.

Answer 4

* Check out this website for more info:

Locating Professional References :

In General
-References may be from academic experiences, work/employment, volunteer/community activities, and professionals in your field. Go for a sense of variety with your references.

-Before listing someone as a reference ask for permission. Approach a potential reference with a tactful request similar to the following: “Do you feel you know my work well enough to act as a positive reference for me?” You might follow up a “no” to this question with: “Is there any information or way I could demonstrate my skills that would help?”

-Do not assume people will act as references for you. Many people will reluctantly say yes if you just ask them to be “a reference.” This can work against you later when they provide weak or negative references.

-Ask your advisor for any field-specific suggestions for compiling references.


Contacting Your References:
-Ask to meet in person. Show up promptly and prepared. Bring copies of the same materials you would bring to an interview, such as your résumé, portfolio, licenses, etc.

-Provide information on how long you've known the person and in what capacity, and a list of achievements you've demonstrated while working with them. Provide examples of your relevant job skills. Don't assume your reference will remember every detail about you.

-Ask what address and phone number you should use. Don't assume!

-Potential employers may contact your references via telephone. However, some positions in academia will require a written letter of recommendation instead of a simple reference.


Maintain Positive Contact :
-Thank your references for the time they've spent with you in the preparation meeting and for serving as your reference. Keep in contact with them throughout your job search.

-Don't forget to drop a thank you note or call your references when you get hired.

-Once you get a job, do not lose contact with your references—they can always be helpful in the future. Send a note or call once or twice a year to let your references know about your progress.

-Keep track of your achievements and always be prepared to provide information about your abilities to others.


Preparing a Reference Sheet (See a Sample Reference Sheet):
-Mail a reference sheet with your résumé only if it is requested. If it isn’t asked for during the application process, then take it with you to the interview.

-Your name, address, and phone number should be at the top of the reference sheet.

-Include a heading of “References” or “Professional References.” · Include the reference's name, professional title, address, and phone number. You may indicate the relationship to you, but this is not required. Include 3-5 references.

-Print the reference sheet on the same color and type of paper as your résumé.

-Be sure to get summer contact information or other relevant information to help employers if your references will be hard to reach.

See website For more information about resumes, cover letters, and searching for a job.