Teachers, coaches, coordinators of volunteer work, community leaders or a workplace where you did unpaid trial shifts can all be referees. Choose someone who has seen you show up reliably and can speak to your behaviour, not just people from paid jobs.
Employers ask for referees to check that you are who your CV says you are and that you behave the way you claim. None of that requires the referee to have paid your wages. It just requires them to have watched you operate over a reasonable stretch of time.
Who counts as a referee with no work history?
Anyone in a position of some authority or oversight who has seen you consistently is fair game. A sports coach who has managed your attendance and attitude for a season, a teacher who supervised a project or work experience placement, or a volunteer coordinator who relied on you to turn up are all solid choices. What matters is that they can talk specifically about your reliability, not just say nice general things.
What if you have genuinely never had any structured role at all?
Even without formal volunteering or clubs, most people have something close enough. A neighbour you have done paid or unpaid odd jobs for, a family friend who runs a small business and has seen you help out, or a school dean who knows your attendance record can all work in a pinch. Be upfront with the employer that these are character or community referees rather than employment ones, so there is no confusion when they call.
How do you actually line someone up as a referee?
Ask directly and give them a heads up rather than just listing their name and number. A short message explaining what job you are applying for and what you would like them to mention helps them give a stronger reference.
- Ask in person or by phone rather than just texting a request
- Tell them the job title and one or two things you would like them to highlight
- Confirm the best number or email for the employer to reach them on
- Give them a rough timeframe of when they might be contacted
- Thank them afterwards regardless of whether you get the job
- Keep the relationship warm in case you need them again for the next application
Key takeaways
- Referees do not need to come from paid employment, they need to have seen you show up consistently.
- Teachers, coaches, volunteer coordinators and community contacts are all legitimate options.
- Always ask permission first and brief them on the role and what to mention.
- Being upfront with employers that a referee is a character reference, not an employment one, avoids confusion.
- A well-briefed referee is worth more than a rushed one who barely remembers you.
Frequently asked questions
Can a family member be my referee?
Most employers prefer referees who are not immediate family, since it is seen as less objective. A family friend, coach or community contact who is not related to you is a stronger choice.
How many referees do I need if I have never worked?
Many NZ employers ask for a couple. If you cannot find two strong ones, one solid referee plus a note explaining your situation is usually better than padding the list with someone weak.
Should I list a referee before checking with them?
No, always ask first. It gives them time to prepare and avoids them being caught off guard by a surprise phone call from an employer.
What do I do if I genuinely cannot think of anyone?
Think beyond formal settings, someone who has coached, taught, supervised volunteering or even overseen a group project can count. If you are still stuck, focus your application on other strengths and mention referees can be provided once shortlisted.
If building your first CV and cover letter feels overwhelming without work history to draw on, try the CV + Cover Letter Writer to put together something solid from what you do have.