Application Questions
Here's my favorite: "Please provide 3 references not related to you and not an employer that have knowledge of your work performance."
... uh, not possible. Especially in my case, I work directly under the company owner(s). No one but my employer(s) has any information concerning my work performance. Not even the customers, and providing their contact information is a breach of confidentiality and ethics.
Unless I really, REALLY screw up and it makes the news. So, what can an applicant do?
Also, anyone else have any favorite application questions?
Try a co-worker, or past colleague... in other words a peer, who wasn't "your employer".... and technically speaking, unless your boss owns the company, one's boss or supervisor isn't necessarily one's employer..
Here's a novel approach. Try honesty!
Where the space is in the reference boxes, just write (or type) in "None available, work directly for employers'.
Will that 'satisfy' the potential employer? Unknown, but that certainly addresses the issue openly and honestly.
Don't forget, you can also list folks you've done 'freebie' jobs for: helped a friend with his landscaping, neighbor for whom you mowed their lawn. Anyone that can attest to your willingness to work and work ethic.
Use who you know and get letters of recommendation
Hi, Brandon. Are there any people you have worked with on a volunteer basis, such as church, synagogue, or community organizations like scouting or soup kitchens? They would have witnessed your quality of uncompensated work. This could reflect your dedication, drive, interpersonal skills and organizational skills. See if you can find somewhere on the app to explain what you've explained in your second paragraph. Incidentally, I loved your reference to making the news! Good luck to you, Brandon.
If there are any co workers that think highly of him he should use those. They are not employers. Also any one he may have done business with as a independent contractor. Also any fraternal organizations that he may have belonged to and he worked with them.
How about the trickiness of asking if its OK to call a previous employer. Right off the bat if you say "NO", they know something is wrong and they may just bypass your application because of that response. I have tried that because of the fact I am in litigation against my former employer and I'm trying to avoid having my name smeared but it seems like a "NO" answer to the question is all the smearing they need.
Well I don't have no reference
Wow, I've never heard of that before! What's the point of a reference if they can't speak to someone who knows how you work as an employee? I guess maybe use HR personnel at your last company as references?
The only logical solution if in a purchasing or management position is to use sales reps that work closely with you and have seen you operate