What do I say during the interview?

Question

I worked at a company for eight years. I started as an assistant and worked my way up quickly. My supervisor was my role model mentor etc... and she always said i was so smart quick and dependable . I also had a great relationship with the rest of the staff and clients. I was in a car accident in early 2006 the physical nature of my job and injuries was no longer fit so i let her know she asked me to stay until the end of the school year and she would lighten the load and she did but it was still painful. I stayed until the end of the year. I then let her know I would still be leaving. The last two weeks there were awful. If i had a doctor appointment she would pretend she didnt see my time off slip and send me nasty text messages and yell in front of others etc... She feels like she taught me everything which she did. I had seen her vindictive side with others and now I'm worried about what she will tell my new potential employers. It has been 6 months. I have an interview tuesday.

Answer 1

Wow, how really awful of her. I'm so sorry! Your former boss (hopefully) knows that there are certain things she can and cannot say when your potential employer calls for a reference check--unfortunately, you don't know whether or not she plans on abiding by those laws. She may say too little (which isn't illegal, it's just mean) about how great you are, leading the prospective to think you were just mediocre, or she may say something negative--and illegal--to damage your chances. Call your boss and talk to her about why she behaved this way and try to resolve it first. Ask for a letter of recommendation, that way if she writes you a good one, she'll know that when they call for a reference check, it would be totally contradictory of her to say negative things about you. If she won't do that, consider trying to nip it tactfully in the interview at the END, telling them your concerns, and that you feel betrayed by her personally and professionally, but do it without sounding catty. You've got a tough problem! Good luck!

Answer 2

Your employer can only refuse to give a reference she cant actually give negative comments so nearly all references are good. In the interview be honest that due to your injurys etc you can no longer work where you have worked for 8 years. but whatever you do promise you wont ever be like you current boss I had a boss like that so I know how your feeling.