I left my previous position due to burnout. I am not equipped to talk to clients all day, every day. I told my manager my reason for quitting and she was incredibly understanding. She told me to use her as a reference for my next job and that if I ever wanted to come back to my old position, I could. I trusted her and decided to use her as a reference.
A few months later I found a great position where I would have minimal interaction with clients. They would also be willing to work with my schedule. The hiring manager seemed excited to meet with me and after the first interview she immediately scheduled a second interview.
When I arrived for my second interview the hiring manager was visibly less excited. She told me that she had called my references, my previous manager told her that she was worried about me and my burnout. I was so confused because I told my manager why I quit. I told the interviewer why I left my previous job and that burnout shouldn’t be a problem since I would have minimal contact with clients. Well, that was the deciding factor in my application and I didn’t get the job. I have half a mind to blow my ex manager’s phone up and ask her why she would sabotage me?? I’m so confused and hurt. If she was genuinely concerned about me she would come to me and not mess with my LIVELIHOOD.