For the past few weeks, I have been filling out job applications as if my life depends on it (and it does in a way). My main issue tough is that many places require a minimum of three contacts in their references section. This is further complicated by the fact that these references cannot be family. I only have two non-familial adults who can--and are willing--to fit into this role. Because of this, I was not able to apply to a number of jobs. My question is: should companies punish those not able to reach a reasonable minimum of references?
I wouldn't call it punishment as so much as a background check of sorts. I'm not really sure to be honest, I've always had enough people I knew, having families we are close to at church and such. I don't know if they also always contact those people to verify, but it would make sense to get people who know you. That's basically what it's there for, to show enough people know you and what you say on an application is valid. I suppose three is an ideal minimum, but I can also see two being acceptable if they thoroughly investigate it. In the end, it doesn't make a difference whether I think there should be three, none, or even a hundred references, that's up to the company in question and it is their right to have a standard one must follow.
I have been filling out so many applications over the past 6 months but I have only ever had to give two references with optional more if I wanted. I suppose the number is up to the company but you could always ask if two would suffice and if not then you can always try and find another person. Is there really no one else? A family friend? A leader of some group you are part of, a past job manager you may have had (I didn't have one of these) but there must be someone. I don't think it should be something to hold you back which is sad really, so you could always provide just two and see what happens because all they are doing is verifying you are the sort of person that they want. Sadly, sometimes rules just can't be bent.
I WOULDN'T recommend family... A lot of jobs look at how close the family to you. Mainly because the whole: "Oh, this is their mother, of course they'd say good things." Attitude. Some jobs don't need it, but unfortunately with the job market as it is, it's more and more of a demand to have a reference. That and they spend money to train these people, being fair, if you spend a certain amount of training someone and they leave two months later, causing them to rehire and train someone else, or the person has to be fired, except for an emergency, it isn't good for the company, which is their main concern. I would recommend teachers or friends. Teachers who know you work hard, (which is what they're looking for) and try your best. If worse comes to worse, flipping burgers always is appealing, along with other jobs. I hate to say it, but like my mom says: "It's a job."
You don't have any past jobs you could use? Maybe a supervisor from a past job? If your still in school/college, how about your adviser as a contact? Sports coaches? Former coworkers? I just say this because they do actually call those folks and you want to make sure you have your bases covered across different areas. I had a former Girl Scout leader of mine meet me at the store one day and she told me a prospective employer had called her. Before that, the Mouse had called my last boss, while I was still working there, to get the scoop on me. So it does happen.
From my experience, this is, unfortunately, the case for most companies. Back when I was trying to apply for a simple part-time job, luck wasn't on my side, and I figured the only way I was gonna work was to apply to a job where I actually had a reference. Granted, this was when the economy was at its worst. But it got me thinking... perhaps this method companies are using was a consequence of the economic crisis. Companies are no longer willing to take risks with people who they're not sure can be a good employee. They've become "too safe."
A lot of people aren't like: "Oh, I quit..." After two months... But none of the employers, unless you worked there before, know that. How long you spend at a company is a good reference in itself. Recently at the job I'm working at now, I lost my reference because she started believing all the bs spread about me by my employers who have taken a severe dislike to me since a few months in. I have worked there for four years and my mom simply said when I told her: "You've worked there for four years straight, that alone will say something about your work ethic and loyalty.
Yes and no. In your case it's not fair, but I think it's a good idea for them to do that. When I applied for jobs, I had that problem too. I work with a producer and he was the only reference I really had, meanwhile they wanted two others. But keep in mind, you could also use past employers, teachers, professors, etc.
