Job reference?

[femaleacid]

Ok, some of you probably ready know I'm not happy with my current job for various reasons. I love the JOB but the company I hate. Anyway, I work for a managed service but work in a secondary school. I'm not under the schools contract but I provide them IT help (technician)
So I was thinking about leaving until I saw the 'reference' part on job applications. My reference won't be good from the company but from the school it would be.
Can I get a reference from the school as a previous employer since I work for them or would it have to me from the managed service company?

(my first job so I dont know this stuff!)

Thank you x

[missyburd]

A reference should be from the folk who have worked alongside, have seen how you go about your job, how you are with the kids and such. They will know you, not the managed service company. A referee should be able to inform your next potential employer about your capabilities, a company who only knows you on paper isn't really going to do you justice. In my opinion anyway.

[femaleacid]

A reference should be from the folk who have worked alongside, have seen how you go about your job, how you are with the kids and such. They will know you, not the managed service company. A referee should be able to inform your next potential employer about your capabilities, a company who only knows you on paper isn't really going to do you justice. In my opinion anyway.

Thanks :)
I guess you're right because my boss never sees me work so I guess it should be down to the school for a reference.

[missyburd]

You can have a friend of the family as a reference, or someone you might have volunteered for, depends on what job you're going for and what the job description might entail. Basically anyone who can safely confirm you're not a crazy lady...? :-P

[femaleacid]

Haha :P jeez that would of been hard hehe.

Its took a load of my mind anyway.

[missyburd]

Would have, would have, would have...do they still administer lines as punishment in secondary school? :-P :lol:

[femaleacid]

Oh lord, I didn't even realise I put that lol!

[missyburd]

Oh lord, I didn't even realise I put that lol!
I've seen you type it before, thought I'd let you off that time but couldn't resist this time :smt083

[jambo]

Been in a similar position, here's what I'd do:

Under employment history put your employer as:
"Managed Service Company" (Placed with: "School")

References:
Available on request

I've never been asked for a reference yet, but as your CV already has the school's name on the employment section of the CV, it won't look at all unusual for any background check to come back from the managed service being your employer, but the reference you provide to be from the school.

Jambo

[femaleacid]

I may do just that then.
I have a diploma in IT and 12 month experience surely I shouldn't have problems getting a job, especially because I'm young.

[jambo]

Look while you're still employed.

Walking out the door feels good, but if the employment in your field, at your experience level, in your area, at the money you want isn't good at the moment it can be a nasty feeling chasing jobs you don't really want.

I was made redundant a few years back, and finding work was significantly harder than I'd imagined.

Jambo

[femaleacid]

Yeah I may apply and then if I get a interview and job, leave.
I'm too much of a goody goody though! I can't just say I quit to my boss lol.

[Spank86]

Speak to whoever is high up and knows you at the school and ask them if they'd be okay if you put them as your reference.

Then just do it. There's no real rules, as long as you don't misrepresent their or your positions.

[missyburd]

Aye, forgot to mention that, make sure the person who you would like to be your referee knows that they may get a phone call in the near future. Some folk really hate giving references, not that it should be a problem for someone they like.

[femaleacid]

I've already got a person in mind :) they already offered a few week ago when they knew I wasn't happy. He's a sound chap.

[femaleacid]

Update - I've applied for 5 jobs :)

[DaveyF]

References are little more than confirmation of that you did a particular job at a particular place.

I don't think an employer is actually allowed to give a bad reference.

Whenever I have had requests come to me they have simply asked to confirm the job and the dates worked on the CV.

[femaleacid]

Well that has eased my mind a little. Do they ask for a attendance record by any chance? ... Only 2 of 5 applications asked for a reference anyway and only 1 asked for contact details. The rest of the applications just asked for a CV which I re-wrote this evening since mine was a little dated from when I was 15/16 and aimed on IT mostly.

I'm hoping I get the Legal secretary job I applied for than the others.

[Spank86]

They don't ask for an attendance record, lots will only ask if you worked there and others if you were a good worker, it's illegal to give a bad reference they can only refuse to give one.

I really wouldn't worry, they'll no the drill... Normal meaningless praises.

[femaleacid]

*phew* I was just worried because I've had a written warning. But I've put the school down anyway.

[Mako]

I was a legal secretary once, it was my first ever job and I had it for four years. What kind of firm are you applying to?

Also, whilst they won't ask for an attendance record per se, they might ask how many sick days you've taken.

[femaleacid]

I was a legal secretary once, it was my first ever job and I had it for four years. What kind of firm are you applying to?

Also, whilst they won't ask for an attendance record per se, they might ask how many sick days you've taken.

Alpha Solicitors in Rochdale :) I don't mind being a secretary I like the idea of it. The one thing that has gave me high hopes is the fact the don't require much experience as they give you training.

I hope they don't! Ill be screwed...

[missyburd]

*phew* I was just worried because I've had a written warning..
ooo dish the goss :-P

[femaleacid]

ooo dish the goss :-P

I was a naughty girl and found call of duty more important than work. Whoops! I stop doing it ages ago though :D I'm good now!

[Mako]

It'll be sick leave for the last 12 months if they do ask for it, not historically.

A lot of people think being a secretary is all making tea and being somebody's PA, but it really isn't. I think I can count how many cups of tea and coffee I made in four years on one hand and they were all for clients.

If you get an interview, stress attention for detail, typing accuracy (speed is ultimately secondary), the ability to prioritise under pressure, the value of confidentiality and being able to cope with heavily fluctuating workloads. Nowadays, every interviewer and their dog are into competency based questions where you have to answer their scenarios with examples of things you have done. Some common ones are "Name one time you made a mistake?" and "Tell me about an occasion where you were under a lot of pressure and something urgent came up?" They'll be expecting you to briefly explain a situation which occurred, how you solved it and what you learned from it.

It's a smashing job. I'm an administrator now for an insurance company and it taught me everything I needed to know.

[missyburd]

Call of duty? That mean you a) had a liking for the toilets b) had a "special r'ship" with the boss or c) liked a certain video game?

[femaleacid]

It'll be sick leave for the last 12 months if they do ask for it, not historically.<br />
<br />
A lot of people think being a secretary is all making tea and being somebody's PA, but it really isn't. I think I can count how many cups of tea and coffee I made in four years on one hand and they were all for clients.<br />
<br />
If you get an interview, stress attention for detail, typing accuracy (speed is ultimately secondary), the ability to prioritise under pressure, the value of confidentiality and being able to cope with heavily fluctuating workloads. Nowadays, every interviewer and their dog are into competency based questions where you have to answer their scenarios with examples of things you have done. Some common ones are "Name one time you made a mistake?" and "Tell me about an occasion where you were under a lot of pressure and something urgent came up?" They'll be expecting you to briefly explain a situation which occurred, how you solved it and what you learned from it. <br />
<br />
It's a smashing job. I'm an administrator now for an insurance company and it taught me everything I needed to know.

Thanks Mako, at least I know what to expect when it comes to an interview IF I get one. I had a interview with a very high internet provider and got the work experience out of 60 candidates so I must be pretty confident.

I'm gifted with typing, I type like the speed of light I'm surprised I don't have flat thumbs lol.

I have my fingers crossed anyway!

[femaleacid]

Call of duty? That mean you a) had a liking for the toilets b) had a "special r'ship" with the boss or c) liked a certain video game?

ROFL at B. Luckily it was C, but hey I'm a typical teenager :D