Question about References

[MsPeachy]

I am going on a job interview next week and the company has asked me to complete an application to bring with me. A section of the application is for references and they have 2 areas - 1 for Personal and 1 for Professional references. My problem is this - I have been at my current job for almost 4 years and have lost touch with my former bosses. I can't use anyone from my current job since they're unaware I'm looking for a new job. There are a few people that I'm friends with that I've worked with in the past but nothing recent.

I don't know what to do about this. I've never not had anyone I could list as a professional reference before. Should I explain the situation to the company? Has anyone ever been in this type of situation before? If so, how did you handle this?

Any and all suggestions would be most appreciated!

Thanks!

[pixiecat]

Do you have a history of employee reviews that you could give to your potential employer instead of references? It would be great if you could find at least one live person for them to speak with, but your evaulations will also tell them a lot about your work performance.

:)

[MsPeachy]

Hmmm - that's a good idea. I do have at least the last 2 years of my reviews with my current company.

[kagbsc7]

Any like friends at your current job that know you are looking? Maybe not necessarily a "boss" but someone who is your equal that you have worked with. Otherwise, would put former bosses from 4 years ago. More than likely they won't call, but I am sure they expect to receive background check-like phone calls

[Sabrina]

Chances are that your former places of emploment cannot legally provide any information other than to verify your emploment dates. My company has a special "hotline" for such "referral" calls. Maybe your former employers have something like this set up?

[MsPeachy]

kagbsc7 - At any other company, this is exactly what I would do. In fact, I've done this in the past and one of my references is a friend and former co-worker. Unfortunately, at my current job, I have no peers who I trust nor would they be able to accurately represent my abilities.

Sabrina - I've never heard of referral hotlines before. It's a good idea though - even if it's just to confirm employment. I'm pretty sure my previous companies dont have this (the ones that still exist, that is) and I know for a fact that my previous bosses are no longer with those companies either.

In all, I had my interview yesterday and scrounged a few names to put down. I also brought a copy of my most recent performance review. I mentioned it to the HR person who coordinated my interview and he strangely, didn't seem concerned that my references may be out of date and he wasn't particularly interested in the review. At least I tried. I'm not sure I'd accept the position anyway but this was an interesting experience.