u/gorge-chip

The situation, in short, is just like the title says. I had a good opportunity for a new job, and the recruiter seemed interested, but they insisted on speaking to someone from my old workplace. I thought our relationship was good. I had even met my old manager for lunch and we talked about the position and the reference call, and she acted like she was happy for me. No warning, nothing.

This afternoon, the staffing agency called me and said I didn't get the job, then explained why. My old manager said things she had never said to my face. For example, she said I didn't know how to handle project timelines, even though that wasn't even part of my role when I worked with her. The agency themselves sounded surprised, because the rest of my references said positive things about me, but by then the company had already decided to move forward with someone else.

Honestly, this broke me a bit. I thought being let go from the job was hard enough, but now I feel like I can't even use the only Canadian reference I have. I thought about removing that job from my resume, but having my first local work experience is very important when you're trying to find a job here. I've already been struggling for a while to find something new, I have around two years left on my visa, and I'm scared that this alone is making some recruiters hesitate. I don't know if this is now the thing that will finally make me give up and go back to my country.

I'd appreciate any advice, but mostly I think I just needed to get this out somewhere.

I really feel like I see this exact phrasing in so many job ads.

I've even heard managers say verbatim: "This role is high-speed, and if you can't keep up with that pace, you won't fit in here."

I quickly discovered that whenever I talk about my financial situation, whether in an interview or with colleagues, it often causes problems. If my direct manager or even someone higher up finds out that I don't rely on their salary, or that I won't accept any unreasonable request just to keep my position, I immediately become a target.It's truly perplexing how these companies claim to care about their employees or society, yet at the same time demand absolute loyalty and servitude.

Honestly, I am incredibly angry and completely shocked right now.

Around early March, I received an internal transfer offer to another region, over 1500 miles away. They wanted me to start on April 1st. It was a great opportunity - a good job, a reasonable salary, and the team seemed nice. The problem? They expected me to pack up my entire life and move halfway across the country in just a few days. I objected, spoke with my manager and senior staff, explaining the difficulty of such a rapid relocation and finding a place to live in such a short time. In the end, we agreed on a May 1st start date.

After confirming the May 1st start, they initiated the internal transfer procedures to move me to the new department. I thought everything was set.

So I took it seriously. I notified my landlord that I was leaving, arranged a long-distance moving company, booked temporary accommodation for when I arrived, and even rented an additional storage unit in the new city. I started getting rid of many of my belongings and household items. I was truly committed to this relocation.

Then, early this morning, I received an email. Apparently, due to "budget constraints," the entire position has been canceled. They will not be hiring anyone for it at all.

My apartment has already been rented to a new tenant. And my old job? That's gone too; apparently, it was "eliminated" during the transfer process.

So now, I'm practically homeless and need to find a way out of this predicament.