Asked why my former manager was not listed as a reference during an interview
Hello job hunters! I had a third interview yesterday with a company that I would love to work for, but I was asked a question during my interview that really threw me off and I can’t seem to stop spiraling about it. Just a bit of backstory: I was unfortunately let go from my job a few months back for perceived insubordination, which it wasn’t at all, it was a genuine misunderstanding and miscommunication. My manager at the time did not have the best communication skills and she saw this as insubordinate and fired me. I have since been telling interviewers that this was due to the company restructuring (which is true) and one of my main job tasks being significantly cut down (which is also true).
The interview was going fairly well, and the interviewer asked a lot of questions about my previous position as it was very relevant to this position I was interviewing for. All seemed good and then she asked me “so if we look at your references, will your former supervisor be on there?” This took me aback as I didn’t expect a question that invasive. I told her that my former manager has since moved on to another position and that I didn’t work as closely with her as I had other managers at previous workplaces (which again, both are true).
I’m just curious as to what would prompt an interviewer to ask such a question. It makes me a little upset because I don’t feel it’s her business to ask that or delve so deep into why I was let go and am now on the job market, but it also makes me nervous as I wonder if she felt I was lying. I guess I’m just looking for some insight because the anxiety I have right now over this is awful. Thank you for any input you have over this situation!