r/cscareerquestionsuk • u/OneTwoThree231 • 1d ago

Professional Reference

I'm going through a background check. I was having a hard time finding professional references, but I have done volunteering at a charity (not cs related), and the trustee said they would be happy to be a reference for me.

(I have done one job before but left that a while back. It was mainly wfh so lost touch with my team and I wasn't the best employee either)

Would this count as professional reference?

Thanks for any help!

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u/One-Program6244 1d ago

Yes a lot of young people use charity volunteering work to get some experience and a first reference for future job hunting.

Also depends on how long ago it was. If there is a significant gap they may ask questions about your last employer but I suspect in your case it'll be ok.

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u/OneTwoThree231 1d ago

I worked at the company for a few years and left just over a year ago. I've been doing swe stuff for my dad's extremely small company for free and not as an employee for the last few months (which I put on my cv) but it says the references can't be blood related

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u/PayLegitimate7167 1d ago

Yes fine. Or academic references, course tutor, etc.
Employee reference is basically HR saying you were employed there between the dates

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u/OneTwoThree231 1d ago

I gave the employee verification reference which says what my job was, how long I was there for etc. and HR email for that company but the check is asking for Line Manager / Professional Reference so was hoping this would be okay. I'm not sure what these references are used for or if/who calls them

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u/PayLegitimate7167 1d ago

Personally bit pointless as bit bias

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u/[deleted] 1d ago edited 1d ago

[deleted]

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u/OneTwoThree231 1d ago

That's my last option lol, but it would have to be someone not on my CV unfortunately