I recently worked for a commodities trader/photographer (strange combo I know) who then retired. We were on decent terms the entire time until the final day when he threw one of his famous tantrums over me not being able to teach him web design - the job ended with him withdrawing the recommendation he wrote me and we haven't spoken since. I can honestly say the tantrum was unprovoked and I was glad to leave before it got worse.

Here's the problem. It's been 4 months and I can't even get an interview for jobs I'm over-qualified for. My boss was very vocal about his past assistants/coworkers short-comings and threw all-out tantrums fairly regularly (luckily only one was directed at me on that final day).

The man is also a big fan of psychedelics and believes he gets tips on the market from taking ayahuasca and peyote. Face-to-face it takes all of five minutes to tell he's a little unbalanced. With someone who's been vindictive in the past and is noticeably unstable I'm wondering if there's any way he's sabotaging my job search. Can potential employers reach him before even talking to me? What would they ask him if they did? I'm just very worried because I'm at the start of my career and probably should not have dealt with someone like this. Any help would be much appreciated.

It's possible. Do not list employment with him on your resume. Don't put his phone number on there either. Explain the gap of employment in person to the interviewer. Try to get interviews outside of the immediate area and don't get paranoid. You will get a job!

A good way to find out is to have a PO Box or address of a friend or family member with a different last name than yours... a PO Box that could get mail in a company name has worked for me in the past... perhaps in another town, but then send in an inquirey to him asking about his feedback on you and your work habits... You may have to write something up that you sign as if it were giving a new potential employer permission to investigate your background... You should be able to find something on line or at an office supply store along these lines... but anyway, when you get the feedback from him, you will have your answer... if he is spreading lies about you, you then might have a good legal case against him. This PO box method worked for me when I wanted to find out what professors had written about me in forms where I had to waive my rights to see their recommendations... They say it is hard to fly with the eagles when you work with turkeys... Perhaps the fact that you did work with this guy makes others who know him nervous about you?

Both of the above answers are good advice, but I'm also wondering about some of the practical steps that potential employers go through before granting an interview... can they reach him (he's very hard to pin down and is always traveling)? If so, what can they ask him? How much stock is put into what he would have to say? I'm not clear on what kind of damage he could do at this stage and am worried. Thanks to those of you who responded.