Are employers allowed to do this crap?

[Easyguy14]

Went for a interview today and all seemingly gone well until the employer became a ******* and wanted to know about all my past jobs. I gave him the best answer I could give so he goes ok. Then he tells me about the company and shows me around introducing me to staff. Usually when the interviewer does that you're basically on board but a slight problem arises when he acts like a real dick in refusing to discuss the salary and he knows my experience in the business so that bothers me and then he tells me to get some good references from the past 3 jobs and to get back in touch after I do that. This guy even went so far as to tell me he's gonna be making calls too. This dont sound so ethical at all and I'm thinking this wont work out. Whats this guy's problem?

[Balzac]

Often salary is not discussed until the offer is made. What's your objection to calling references & prior employers?

[mammasita]

Ditto with above. Asking about salary (benefits and vacation included) during an interview is a huge faux pas.

[Balzac]

Have you been unemployed or switching for other reasons?

Few people enjoy the interview process and the waiting.

[Easyguy14]

Often salary is not discussed until the offer is made. What's your objection to calling references & prior employers?

 

I hated my last boss and we cussed each other out several times so I'm not giving that reference so yea its a problem. The good references I do got are from actual coworkers that seen my work and worked with me but when Ive offered them as reference he scoffed at it and insists on boss reports and its annoying the crap out of me. Past jobs never done all of this. Bosses are now a bunch of *******s because they can thanks to the shaky economy. And at this moment I'm a freelancer in the funeral business so work is unsteady.

[Balzac]

I can appreciate your feelings. Most bosses or employers HR people confirm that you were employed from start-end date. Your position or job title. Some, if asked directly will tell if you are eligible for rehire.

 

Most bosses, regardless of what happened between you, understand that you need and want a job. They won't say much if anything negative.

[CarrieT]

Usually salary is brought up after an offer is made - and by HR - not during an interview.

 

Sounds like your disgust has shown through and put up red flags to the interviewer. If the qualifications are a match, than the interview process is 90% personality and playing the game...

[Balzac]

I think the process varies by size and ownership of the business. Often a sole proprietor flies by their own set of criteria.

 

Coming out of a bad situation, in a tight employment period, it's easy to be fearful and defensive. There are many bad bosses out there.

Try to reason this through and come up with what this guy has asked for.

[Shaun-Dro]

I think the process varies by size and ownership of the business. Often a sole proprietor flies by their own set of criteria.

 

Coming out of a bad situation, in a tight employment period, it's easy to be fearful and defensive. There are many bad bosses out there.

Try to reason this through and come up with what this guy has asked for.

 

I know what it's like to have a jerk-off for a boss. One time I got fired from a job and the supervisor tried to make sure I couldn't get a job anywhere else just because he was angry with the way I spoke to him. He thought he was God or something.

[MuscleCarFan]

Often salary is not discussed until the offer is made. What's your objection to calling references & prior employers?

 

While this is true it is nice to know the salary range at least because you don't want to quit a job for something else that doesn't pay enough.

[pink_sugar]

This doesn't sound that bad. My husband has actually had some really nosey interviewers who have even gone so far as to ask how we pay our rent if he's unemployed and what my salary is like and where I work. THAT crosses a line. They CAN ask why you've been unemployed so long, but the details of how you are paying your bills is none of their business. I wouldn't work for an employer like that. I can understand your frustration, but it doesn't seem like he's done anything unethical.

 

In response to another poster, I wouldn't go to a job interview unless I AT LEAST knew the salary RANGE. I am employed looking for a job and don't want to waste my time or their time by going through several interview steps to find the pay is too low. Now it would be a different story if I was unemployed.

[JamesM]

I hated my last boss and we cussed each other out several times so I'm not giving that reference so yea its a problem.

 

THIS is why he wants to know how your last jobs went. He wants to know if you have a problem with authority. Getting references only from coworkers is not only suspect, it also doesn't explain how you get along with bosses. It doesn't explain how your last company viewed your production.

 

No one wants to hire a person that will give them more trouble than production.

[Els]

Huh? From what I've seen, it's pretty much normal for an employer to request for references from previous employers. I haven't seen too many who don't.

[KathyM]

It's perfectly normal and understandable that he would ask you plenty of questions about your past employment and your current employment, and to check your work references. It's also normal not to discuss salary until they are ready to offer you the job. They only thing they are not allowed to ask is your age, your sexual preference, your marital status or how many children you have, your ethnicity and your religious preference, or questions about your personal life that have nothing to do with the job.

[pink_sugar]

Huh? From what I've seen, it's pretty much normal for an employer to request for references from previous employers. I haven't seen too many who don't.

 

Agreed. OP, if you don't want to give out certain references, then put no to contact.

[ON MY OWN]

I think what OP is saying he is concerned about a negative interaction with the ex boss. I agree with the responses that it is normal and I wouldnt pay much attention to it. However, I think some people may miss the fact that OP is nervous about the WAY in which the potential boss went through it. Maybe he was cocky or something. Unfortunately, some of the people are like that b/c of the economy. Keep in mind, if he is that cocky from the first meeting, there is usually much more behind that and consider how bad you want this particular job and if you would be able to work for this person.

 

Best of luck to you. I feel your pain.

[spiderowl]

Employers can and do check out your references. They can ask for references from your employers. You don't have to give any of this information but it might mean they don't employ you. If you are unhappy with this guy's approach of asking a lot of information from you without offering anything tangible in the way of what salary to expect if you are hired, then apply elsewhere instead.

 

If he said he's going to make some phone calls, it does sound as if he was suspicious and if you were reluctant to provide the details of ex bosses as referees, that's presumably why.

 

Personally, I wouldn't want to work for someone who gave me no idea of salary beforehand. I could be wasting my time and energy for nothing. I expect them to be upfront if they want me to be equally upfront.