Unfair References

[Dave S]

Hi Guys,

I am hoping to get some good advice as I'm in a bit of a pickle.

I have been looking for alternate employment for about 8-months and have attended five interviews that were all quite promising. At all of these interviews I told the prospective employers that they may check my references with pleasure, as I have nothing to hide. Subsequent phone calls when they do not respond have highlighted that I was not successful at any of the applications, with reasons ranging from "overqualified" to "too expensive".

The latest application and interview I attended, I was offered the job and told that they would complete the paperwork during the following week. I phoned on Friday as I had heard nothing, only to be told that I was unsuccesfull, so I asked the question, "how did we get from "You have the job" to "you were unsuccessful" in such a short time"? I was told that my references from my current employer were not acceptable, however they would not disclose exactly what was said.

I need some advice on how to proceed from here? I genuinly don't see any reason for a poor reference. Obviously, I have made my share of mistakes along the way, but none that would ensure me to be unemployable!!!

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