Getting creative with references?

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It's only a 4 month job, but my past experience fits nicely with it. But they want three references... I have two from the past, and MAYBE a third that remembers me, but would most jobs find you crazy by including people like your husband or your uncle? This is a teaching job involving birds.

Everything I've read about resumes says that you shouldn't include family members, although I think you could get away with it if they had a different surname from you. Friends might work, if they work in a field relevant to whatever employment you're seeking.

I'm currently using references from a past university tutor and my old thesis supervisor. My rule of thumb is that anyone who isn't a relative who seems impressed by you is a potential referee.

I don't know how relevant this is to you, and since I haven't even found my first job you should take the above ramblings with a lot of salt.

I semi-came out to them and said I had a big employment gap and only two references due to disability (I'm mentally ill on top of any possible AS) I'm torn between teaching and scientific work and applying to both kinds of jobs, this job is one that combines both a little.

Family is a poor reference. Friends are pretty good personal references, but bad business references.

Well, I used a former coworker and my last supervisor, I have had recent contact with both of them, though honestly the coworker is now a friend I sometimes visit with, shes familiar with how I work, but now its personal too.

I emailed the application yesterday, I got an acknowledgement email today that it was received and will be considered.

I'd say anybody who doesn't share your last name & can vouch for your knowledge is fair game. I've used my mom's reference successfully before since she kept her maiden name & I've done I.T. cleanup for a lab she was managing. As long as you can do the work (which seems just about perfect for you) there's no need for extensive formalities. Any academics in your extended family might be quite helpful for example. Just for future reference of course... work always shows up from somewhere.

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