Service/Reference Letter for Volunteer Work

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  SF3 on 03/07/2021 - 13:01

  +3

  The appointment letter at the not-for-profit org did not mention about the number of months I should be working to get a service letter/volunteer certificate.

  Can you ask them?

  Inb4 others say “they said to ask in OzB” ;)

  • 

    hispeed on 03/07/2021 - 13:50

    Many thanks for responding! sorry, should have mentioned that in the question. I did ask them - they're now saying that I should have worked for 6 months or more(haven't completed 6 months yet), whereas the appointment letter did not have any mention of it. So, would like to understand how I can provide evidence that I volunteered at the non-profit org, if they don't agree to provide a reference or a service letter.

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  mskeggs on 03/07/2021 - 13:19

  +2

  Can you clarify what your concern is?
  Is it that you think your employer might view the volunteer work as a competitor? Are you seeking evidence you volunteered for your resume or something?

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  hispeed on 03/07/2021 - 13:51

  Thanks a lot for your response! So, would like to understand how I can provide evidence that I volunteered at the non-profit org, if they don't agree to provide a reference or a service letter.

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  hellobargain21 on 03/07/2021 - 13:56

  The new employer already gave you an offer though? Or was it subject to condition? Very odd to think they would verify your credentials and work experience after giving you an offer. Who do you report to at the NFP, surely you can use them as a direct reference if you ask them.

  • 

    hispeed on 03/07/2021 - 14:03

    Thanks for responding!

    The offer at the new employer is subject to background checks. This is the first time I'm being employed full time in Australia - hence, checking if a service/experience letter would be mandatory for a volunteer position. At the NFP, I don't have a constant reporting manager, people keep moving in and out of the role. But, I do have a reference to a person who was my reporting manager earlier(he's currently not working for the NFP though)

    • 

      hellobargain21 on 03/07/2021 - 14:06

      +3

      There's got to be at least one person there that is aware of you working there, the manager of the place? Even if you didn't work there for 6 months and get an official certificate, it still counts as work experience for x amount of months. You just need to ask the NFP to be your reference. If the employer does call, the NFP will say yes 'hispeed' worked here for x amount of months etc….

      • 

        hispeed on 03/07/2021 - 18:46

        Thank you - they're not being responsive at all, so wanted to check if there's anything else that can be done from my side.

        • 

          hellobargain21 on 03/07/2021 - 20:54

          @hispeed: I think you should be alright. When you move companies it's normally a reference phone call check to to your previous employer not formal documentations. Anyways good luck with the new job!

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            hispeed on 26/07/2021 - 23:09

            @hellobargain21: Thanks so much - I was quite stressed as this was the first time, they managed to check with both the NFP(based in Australia) and the prior organization(overseas). Thanks again for your inputs, much appreciated!

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  mskeggs on 03/07/2021 - 14:25

  I think you are imagining much more procedural formality exists and is necessary.
  Just tell the new employer the dates, and give the email/phone of the current supervisor at the charity.
  That will be plenty if you are who they want to hire.

  • 

    hispeed on 03/07/2021 - 18:46

    Thanks a ton! If you move from company A to B, don't you have to usually provide a service/experience letter during onboarding?

    • 

      mskeggs on 03/07/2021 - 20:37

      I have never been asked for this, or heard of anyone being asked for this.
      It might happen in some industries I guess, but I would find it odd for an IT job.

    • 

      robberbutton on 04/07/2021 - 19:09

      I've never once had to provide any sort of paperwork on previous roles when starting a new job. Only ever a phone call from the new employer to the old for a reference check. All IT roles in my career for reference.

      • 

        hispeed on 26/07/2021 - 23:10

        Thank you both!

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  freefall101 on 04/07/2021 - 15:26

  If you've been made an offer it's almost certainly fine, background checks don't always cover checking historical work as it's more focused on the police check side of things and strict qualifications required for the role (i.e. checking your certs). Going through the background check process they just confirm a whole lot of info, often they won't need a formal letter but will simply ring them up and go "hi, I'm X doing a background check, how long did hispeed work here for?" and hang up but I've never heard of that happening before (it would take to long and cost too much to confirm all historical work for people, that's why they do two reference letters).

  Since this is your first job in Australia, it's likely they won't even finish the background check before you start work anyway. Once you're there they won't care if they can't confirm a 6 month stint at a NFP. Those background checks come back with yellow and red flags, yellow is something HR will note on your file, red (i.e. criminal record) are the only ones that matter.

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    hispeed on 26/07/2021 - 23:11

    Thank you so much! Realized that formal documentation isn't required and a call phone should do - thanks again for the detailed info, much appreciated!