Can you use family as a job reference?

Question

i am preparing for my first interview. i have never had a real job before, so i dont have a lot of references. however, i painted my uncles fence and did some other work for him so would it be okay to use him as a reference? should i mention that hes family?

Answer 1

If you did work for him, then I would say that it is acceptable to use him as a reference.  Although, I would only use a relative in that one case.  You are going to need other solid references though as well.  Try teachers, neighbors, people of that nature...

Answer 2

From my experience you cannot put family as a reference.  I know it sucks but its the truth.  

Answer 3

no cause a real job has to file tax papers and a bunch of stuff. If you've never technically been hired, then you can't use them as a reference. I got my first job this summer and it was hard. I couldnt put any jobs like helping people move once as a reference.

So just put no experience.