[Hydrophobic1212]

Okay, so, I am having another dilemma. Things just keep going downhill recently and I'm not sure what to do.

I have no job at the moment, and I'm currently searching and applying as much as I can to try and find something.

I got a job interview at Kohls this past Tuesday and I think it went okay. I felt like I did decently enough. However, they wanted your work as your reference and for those who have followed my other posts, you might be able to guess why this concerns me. My boss was a *****. She was horrible. She blamed me for things that were actually her fault and I tried explaining it was a misunderstanding and she cut my hours because of it.

I don't know what to do, because I have a strong feeling she's going to tell them bad things about me and they won't want me to come work for them, even though I really, really, REALLY want this job. I've never wanted a job this badly before. I'm already expecting not to get the job, but if I don't, I'm going to be very, very depressed. I know it doesn't seem like such a big deal, but it is for me.

I'm not concerned about my first job where I missed a lot of work because my past job called them and they hired me, so I don't think he's saying anything bad about me. It's just my most recent job that I'm concerned with.

What do I do if she is saying bad things about me? I'm not ever going to get a job if she keeps telling them I'm unreliable or not a good worker, when that is totally BS. I was the only one doing a good job, aside from two others out of the 10 that worked there.

My mom said that I could ask why I didn't get the job and if they say, I can tell them that I admit I made some mistakes, but I'm really wanting to prove now that I can be a good worker.

But if she is saying bad stuff about me, what am I supposed to do about that?

I feel like the universe is out to get me right now, because my hopes keep getting built up and now they're being shot down one by one, leaving me feeling like everything is pointless and that my previous job and my boss's mistake is going to screw me over.

Why do the bad things have to happen to the good people?

[~Christina]

Okay .. Legally all your former bosses can confirm is :

* Did this person work from date X to date X
* Did she make X amount per hour.
* Would you rehire this person.

I really hope you get this job. But if for some reason you don't ... Keep in mind your age , you can and should just not list every job yoou have had especially if you think it would "look bad" , Your a college student. Employers are use to people your age not having long stretches of employment because your studies should come first .

Again the questions above are the only legal questions that can be asked.

Hope this helps

[Hydrophobic1212]

That's what I've heard they can ask, but I read somewhere that they can say anything about you they want as long as it's true. I don't know... I really hope I get it too. I really want it and I know if I don't, I'm going to sink really low again for a few days to a week. I'm really hoping it will go well. I really think I'd do well with this job.

Thanks for your help!

[bunnifoo]

I haven't seen your other posts, but if you worked for a large company (especially something like a chain) your direct supervisor probably isn't the one doing the employment verification.

My last employer actually has a third party company do all the employee verification.

I don't think there's a law that says employees can only give out hire/fire dates but I think most employers limit the information to prevent potential lawsuits.

Now if they are looking for a professional reference, is there someone else you could ask - like an assistant manager to be the reference. If you list them and Kohl's asks, why don't you have your manager as your professional reference you could say something like, "I wanted to use someone who had a closer working relationship with me."

[Hydrophobic1212]

It's way, way, way too late to change any of the references. I already put down what they wanted and it was a small nursing home. So I'm pretty sure she's going to talk to my boss, unless she talks to HR but I doubt that'll happen since I never directly worked with her.

I was also told by a friend whose father works in HR, that they can't really say too much about an employee, other than what Christina said. So who knows? I guess I will probably find out.

Thanks, though.