NM jinxing my job referrals??!

Ok so just thinking out loud here. I was told I was going to be terminated at my last job due to performance issues...whole other topic BUT now I'm job hunting. I have had 2 interviews in the last few weeks, but no offer yet. I've never waited like this and I don't even know what's normal. Is it normal to not hear for weeks, or do I assume I'm not going to be chosen? I am worried that my old NM might be telling my new prospects that she wouldn't rehire me. I feel like I have no rights here...and my right to work is being threatened if she is sabotaging my efforts. I don't know what to do. I need full time work. I am now without benefits and altho heathy I'm 58 yrs old. This is crazy!!
I would not say that "its OK to contact my current employer", or I guess that is if you are still there? Always remember how weird many healthcare people are, definitely not professionals in many cases. Best not to let them have a chance to open their mouths if you understand what I mean...You have to follow up yourself, and yes, often if you are not being considered further, they will not contact you at all to let you know this.

Yes but if I said that, then it would def. be showing there had been a problem. So I've always said very confidently "yes you can contact her!"I have left that organization and am doing a bit of agency work..starting to panic about no real job tho...

I found out I was being sabotaged when a prospective employer informed me. I went to an attorney who presented a cease and desist letter to my former employer of the manager who was doing this to me. One way to find out what is happening is to use one of the reference checking companies. Their services cost about $80.

Caliotter...never heard of this. But yes Ill pay to find out. Do I google Reference Checking Companies?

Probably worth the money to find out.....

Two weeks is a blip. Filling any one position is just one of 50 things on the to do list of the hiring manager and of the HR person assigned. Yes, that's tough when you're the one who is waiting, but it is the reality.Having said that, if you have the slightest bit of doubt about what a previous manager might say, simply indicate that you do not wish them to be contacted. I have always done that on every interview I've ever been on, because I have always been job searching while still employed, and I have never given any indication that I am looking to leave. This is common - it will not prevent you from getting another job.

Ok well its too late for these two jobs that I've applied for. I will keep it in mind for the future tho if I need to.That a good point..I am working some shifts with a local staffing agency. They sorta suck cause they're not getting me enough work but I'm still looking for something more dependable until I find what I Want to do. I'm starting to feel desparate because hubby can't work due to his new disability and umm the bills still have to be paid. Crossing my fingers!!

I called for my friend who thought her x employer was giving her a bad reference. I blocked my phone number when I called. In reality, her x employer gave her good review and didn't even hint at anything negative. Most employers wouldn't dare give a bad reference - I called another reference for my friend, but all they said all they legally could tell me was the dates she had been employed there and that she was eligible for rehire.

Quote from jodyangelCaliotter...never heard of this. But yes Ill pay to find out. Do I google Reference Checking Companies?

I found www.checkmyreference.com and its only $29.99I'm going to do this..just to relieve my mind. Ill let you know how it works!

This looks like the one I looked at, apparently they have lowered their prices, the web site has changed in appearance. I think it would be worth the effort.

Also be aware of your local and state laws regarding these types of things. Many states have provisions in place that do NOT allow former employers to offer information about the employee outside of a handful of questions (unless you listed them as a reference). Of course this doesn't always happen. If you were to use a reference checking service on yourself, be sure to know what things she was allowed to disclose and what things she was not, so that if you were to uncover that she was saying something about you that she was not allowed, you will be able to identify and deal with it. I used to work for a labor attorney. She would make calls all the time to former employers to make inquiries. There is a certain legality around doing this so I wouldn't do it yourself. If you think something sketchy is going on call an attorney. Alot of attorneys work on a contingent basis (no fee unless you win a case) so your out of pocket might not be as bad as you think. Unfortunately, the "would you rehire this person" is often a fair game question and not much can be done to get around it. But if she is engaging in conversation that would be appropriate of a REFERENCE and outside the scope of just being a former employer, you might be able to do something legally to resolve it.