Trashy blonde again...Question...Is it ok to ask...

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a potential employer (post interview) WHY they didn't select you as a candidate? I was told that they went with "another candidate" yesterday. (Still sort of fishing the waters for a job closer to home).

My main reason for asking is that I wondered if it was r/t negative references. (Mind you, on the fax for reference check it asks if employee is eligible for rehire....that would pretty much say it all, wouldn't it?

You all might remember my post about my former boss telling me my blonde hair looked trashy....

Thanks for any input. I just wondered how to professionally "word" the question to them. My former boss still hasn't gotten my W2 to me to file my income taxes yet.

I keep thinking, "haven't I taken ENOUGH abuse from her already?"

P.S. I touched up my roots last night. hehe

Emma

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Specializes in Emergency Room, Cardiology, Medicine.

Professionally speaking, the only thing your employer can say if your new potential employer calls her is:

(1) : Whether you actually worked for that employer

(2) : How long you worked for that employer

I imagine that have time to talk about other thing.. but PROFESSIONALLY, that's all that should be exchanged. If she did mention anything negative about your hair, she would lose her credibility.

Kudos for trying to find another job. If another candidate fit the bill, well.. shucks.. but keep looking! That just means it was the perfect one for THAT PERSON, not you.

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Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.
Professionally speaking, the only thing your employer can say if your new potential employer calls her is:

(1) : Whether you actually worked for that employer

(2) : How long you worked for that employer

I imagine that have time to talk about other thing.. but PROFESSIONALLY, that's all that should be exchanged. If she did mention anything negative about your hair, she would lose her credibility.

Kudos for trying to find another job. If another candidate fit the bill, well.. shucks.. but keep looking! That just means it was the perfect one for THAT PERSON, not you.

I'm not sure if that's true... the part about asking whether a former employee is eligible for rehire. I interviewed yesterday and had to sign a pre-printed request for emploment information. On the part to be filled in by HR was a question "eligible for rehire". If it's not legal to ask, I'd like to know.

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They can (and will) ask your former employer if you're eligible for rehire.

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Specializes in Addiction & Recovery, Community Health.

As far as the hair thing...

It shouldn't matter. Some chicks look kinda cute that way.

Alot of people color.

I always remember what Dolly Parton's comeback is "It costs alot of $ to look this cheap."

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Specializes in critical care.
As far as the hair thing...

It shouldn't matter. Some chicks look kinda cute that way.

Alot of people color.

I always remember what Dolly Parton's comeback is "It costs alot of $ to look this cheap."

That is GREAT!!!LOL:cheers:

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Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

I don't think it would be out of line to speak with the interviewer to ask whether an unfavorable refererence was given. Some may be candid about it off the record. It's not unprofessional. You may have made a great impression at interview. Also, I would make a call to HR of your previous employers whether you are eligible for rehire. They don't have to know why you're asking. For all they know, you want to reapply. The worst thing that can happen is they tell you they can't give you that information. It's worth a try, right? What's there to lose?

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Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.

And if they say it's not a bad reference, then ask what was the reason you didn't get hired.

Worded very nicely of course: "I'd really appreciate it if you could help me see how I can improve my chances of getting the job." You may just hear that the other candidate had more experience; then again, you might hear something useful such as "we are looking for someone more assertive."

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I would ask them what set you and the other candidate apart and what you could do to improve your chances of employment in the future...

I would also have a friend call the previous employer and attempt to get a reference from him like they were considering hiring you. That way you will know EXACTLY what is being said!! I had to do this once years and years ago after I left a job when my payroll was bouncing and I had to chase my boss down on weekends to get my pay, It really sucked. I had reported him to the labor board and he was giving me bad references until I found out and got the LB and my hubby on his butt.

About the tax papers- he has until tomorrow to get them to you. If not, you can call and ask where they are and also there is someway to call the IRS I think to report him.

Good luck.

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Specializes in Advanced Practice, surgery.

Personally I encourage anyone I interview and do not appoint to make an appointment for interview feedback to help them prepare and improve interview techniques for next time. If it is a reference problem then in the UK you do need to tread carefully as the data protection act will prevent you disclosing information within the reference if this is specified by the referee but this does not mean that you cannot give some feedback about the interview.

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Specializes in Cardiac/ED.

Have a friend call your previous job and ask for a reference for you and see what is said...Thats what I would do.

P2

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I would call and ask for feedback. There is nothing wrong with that. You can ask if they have suggestions, advice, etc. You can inquire about a bad reference as well. They may or may not be forthcoming with the info, but it isn't unprofessional to ask or to try and better your interviewing skills.

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