Anybody interviewed for a job where they asked for personal references, but not professional?

[NewJeffCT]

I had a job interview the other day for a pretty good position, but they later asked me for personal references and not professional ones. I told them I'd have to get back to them with the contact information, but I found it odd that they didn't want professional references, as I normally have those readily available... they specifically said they did not want anybody that was a former employer/co-worker. So, even people that were friends from work wouldn't count. (I made sure to clarify that with them as well)

Anybody have that happen before?

The odd thing is, since college, I have not really kept in close touch with a lot of my old friends and most of my new friends have been through work.

[suninvited]

1. That is odd

and, no I have never had that happen before. I guess maybe they consider your job history your professional references, but that is just weird.

I dont know about you, but my friends would say pretty good things about me. Thats why they are my friends.

[NewJeffCT]

2. well

I'd feel weird contacting some old friends that I haven't kept in touch with over the years...

[suninvited]

3. Well, you cant say that you dont have friends.

List DUers.

Otherwise, they might think you are unsociable.

[NewJeffCT]

4. well

I've never met any DUers in person...

and, the friends I have are mostly fellow D&D players, who might not be personable enough to give a personal reference - and the one guy that would be great has had major health problems over the past few years and is often medicated and a bit out of it.

I'll come up with a good list, but I just found it odd.

[EstimatedProphet]

5. I can see as why they might

If they have your resume, and it includes former supervisors, then they already have the professional references.

[madinmaryland]

6. That's more than a bit odd.

I've never been asked that, though I could see it being asked for an entry level person straight out of high school or college, who would have no professional references.