What suggestions would anyone have when you lack work references?

Why do you lack work references? Is it because you are looking for your first job? Or because you have left jobs on bad terms?

I just lost contact with people and I would feel awkward calling after time has past now that I want to start looking for new work again. My last job I was the union rep so I did leave on bad terms but it was all for good reason.

There is nothing wrong with reaching out to people you have lost touch with. When I had a management position, it happened all the time. Just be sure that when you call you remind them of who you are. "Hi. This is Joe Smith, I worked there as an accountant from 2002 - 2005."

If you can not provide a management reference from your last job, find someone else you worked with to use. As Union Rep, did you resolve a difficult situation for a coworker? If so, then use that person as a reference.

I did help a few people but they have since left the job and I would not have any way of contacting them I know because a few people I once worked with tried contacting them but with no such luck.

You can still put them as references with the past employer's info as their contact info. The prospective employer can then decide if they want to make the effort to track the people down.


Also, do you volunteer anywhere? Did you do a project for anyone? These can be sources for references.

I have worked as a volunteer but again it has been many years and I could not use a few names anymore some have died. It is very limited. I am not sure how to get around this one?? Most of my previous female bosses did not like me because I have a strong personality and spoke up for myself and most female bosses don't like that they have an equal, even if I was not working at their level, yet I am well liked, just not by female bosses.