I was applying to a new school district. My interviews went amazing. I got a phone call from the hiring principal saying that they’re writing me an offer and that contacting my references is just a formality along with meeting the superintendent. In an email, he congratulated me. HR said I’m the top candidate and while it wasn’t a written offer just yet, it was a verbal offer.
They asked for 3 references and one of them has to be my current supervisor. I did not tell my principal I was looking for other jobs (because why would I?).
They called my references the next day. That evening, they revoked the offer. HR gave their HR answer that they went with another candidate. I emailed the hiring principal and asked to speak with him. He agreed.
The phone call with him was essentially him telling me that my reference calls were not all positive. He said what my coworkers said did not line up with what my supervisor said. He admitted to asking her a question about areas that I need to work on.
All my evaluations have been proficient. Areas of improvement are always part of evaluations but have never raised a strong concern to do anything to my evaluations. I got 3 letters of recommendation for a college program I was applying to just 2-3 weeks ago, and one of them is from my principal. It was a glowing recommendation.
I’m at a loss. I don’t know what she actually said but it clearly was the entire reason I lost the job.