How would it look to a potential employer if I didn't allow them to contact previous employers?

I’ve sometimes avoided giving that info to potential employers in the past and it’s never stopped me from getting a job. All you have to do is be honest in the interview and tell them basically what you say above. Others may disagree, but that’s been my experience.

I’ve had some bad separations from former employers before and what I try to do is just be honest and give them that option to do so if they wish. I know it could make or break it if they do indeed contact that employer, but the point being is, I’m trying to impress the potential future employer.

Although, on my resume there is no contact info and says, “References available upon request.” They never really request them though. Well, not until you’re filling out stupid paper work.

By the way, why do you have to fill all that shit out anyway? I mean with all the advancements and transitions into making everything on computers, don’t you think they could have that info already input into forms and just print them out for your approval and signature? I hate writing my name, address and phone number like 50 billion times.

@Austinlad Thanks. I shouldn’t be worried, but I am a bit. :)
@Axemusica I know! I hate filling that stuff out over and over again. I’m totally be honest about what happened in the past. That’s a good point about the resume.

@Axemusica is right, and chances are, the interviewer will appreciate the honesty and consider it a quality in your favor.

I wish you good luck. However, I would never hire anyone who would not let me contact any and all former employers.

I’m not am employer, so take what I’m saying with a grain of salt.

We’re in a shitty economy and lots and lots of qualified (and over-qualified) people with glowing references and stellar resumes are looking for work.
Why would someone chose to hire someone who hasn’t gotten along with past management (especially in more than one situation) when they could hire someone who has references saying they’re amazing and wonderful to work with?

If you are in the U.S., it is legal to ask, “Would you rehire this person?” If the (former) employer answers, “No”, then it is noted and may be enough to put an application on the bottom of the pile. Personally, I’d rather have an applicant provide the reference and tell me their side of the story as a heads up before hearing that “No” from said employer.

Any good employer knows that there is always the “He said/She said” factor. There are more important qualifications to take into consideration. Do they meet requirements? Do they have the preferred skills? Can they remain within a company or job for a decent amount of time, or are they a habitual job-hopper? These are just examples of information that we looked at before even getting to the interview process and reference check points.

suspicious

What if the place I used to work at went out of business? I’d tell them that if they asked, right?

Yes, of course. That can even be put on the resume.