Completely Unrealistic Self-Perception... or Maybe I'm Blacklisted [no really]

I don't really understand at this point why no one will hire me?

I'm intelligent and can at least seem personable- I mean I put up a good enough front that i can deal with people in a retail setting long enough and well enough that they don't want to hit me. And frankly, i do go out in public often enough that this is not necessarily standard for retail employees anymore, I feel.

I can do math. I work hard. I have pretty extensive, varied, and successful experience- with long stints at various places. Never been fired, never involved in any shifty situations.

I think... and I know this sounds REALLY crazy... I'm starting to actually suspect something weird is popping up on a background check or something?

I interviewed a while ago for a peer support position. I have a lot of experience in this area and went through to the final round of interviewing and frankly, not trying to sound vain or full of myself or whatever- they really seemed to like me a lot? I thought I had a pretty good shot.

But then... they never called my references. Which I thought odd.
And then when i called them to try to follow up after three, then four weeks went by... I was frustrated. Then mysteriously received a boiler plate "thanks but no thanks" letter from them. When I tried to call to find out what it was they wouldn't answer or return calls. I just figured... I don't know. Human services organizations are sometimes overworked and chalked it up to- I probably need certification.

And then... it was starting to be like... retail position after retail position followed a decent pattern of calling me in for an interview, the interview goes well, often to the point of discussion what department or schedule I would like to work, they find me I don't know charming or something... and then don't hire me with no explanation.

So... wow.
Ok most recently I apply at a company that I've worked off and on for the past five years. When i first worked there I worked over three and ahalf years straight- always good work history, my supervisors really liked me. I never could go over part time, but had good performance reviews, blah blah blah and they said, from that store, they would give me references whenever.

So when I moved to another state, i worked seasonal here, in this state last winter.

I applied for seasonal again at the same store, and I had done a good job last season- they had told me they would have kept me on as permanent but they weren't keeping anyone, etc...
So I go for an interview a few days ago. I interivew with one of my old supervisors, she is pleased to see me, I say all the right answers, she says the head of that department will call me in a couple days.

...i get a standard "sorry we can't offer you any positions at this time" email this morning.

So... I don't like to jump to conclusions.
But... I just don't know what is going on. it makes me feel pretty terrible.

Like no one wants to hire me at this point or tell me why.

I've never encountered this before in my life.

It's weird and makes me feel like crap.
It's pretty surreal.

I want to think it's coincedence, because thinking anything beyond that is... kind of odd, and actually past odd.
It's into crazytown.

...I don't even know.

sorry you are going thru this, been there, it's not fun. Sometimes you never know, either. I wish you the best! I know some folks who got into a position re volunteering tho. Take care and i truly hope it gets better for you

hi Josie,
could you contact the old supervisor and run some of your questions by them to see if there is something going on that you aren't aware of? might help either way to know. I hope you get work soon

Hey that sounds like a great idea - get feedback from your references. Ask them to be honest about the weak points you need to improve on. Maybe one of them will give you a mock interview, even. There must be someone who can give you feedback on your interview performance.