Struggling to Land an HR Job Without References? Let's Share Some Practical Advice

I have completed my MBA in HR in August 2013. I have been trying to find jobs related to HR, but I have not secured any. Whenever I attend an interview, they ask me for references, which I do not have.

Suggestions for Job Seekers Without References

Please provide me with suggestions on what I can do in such circumstances.

Anywhere you apply, they will seek references. You can have a minimum of three references from your college (lecturer/professor) or from the place where you did your project/industrial training (anyone from the HR Department). At this point, this is more than enough, and no HR will ask for any significant references. References are essentially taken to provide a third party's perspective after your interview. For example, if a particular recruiter has doubts about you, they may request references to gain a better understanding of you. Therefore, please have one or two references ready before you attend any interview.

Regards

You can provide a reference from your family doctor, who knows you well, or your neighbor who holds a good position in a corporate/bank, your school teacher, or any of your friends who are already in good jobs. It is not a formal inquiry; if at all the employer decides to do so, they may simply contact the reference person and ask for some basic details.

May I point out that the reason for not getting a job may be other than your inability to provide references? It's been more than a year, and I am sure you must have realized that references may not be the only reason.

I'd suggest that you seek clarity regarding the issue at hand. Getting a job and providing references are different issues, albeit interrelated. Hence, deal with them accordingly. Hope this helps.

Thank you very much, sir, for providing me with information about references. Is there anyone who has a vacancy in HR? I am in need of a job.

As Adityaoak said, there may be more reasons why you are not getting a job. You may not have a professional resume, or you might not be following interview etiquette, or you may be lacking in communication skills. Try to figure out the actual reason why you are not getting job offers.

Regards,