How to Fight Being Blackballed at Work

ANSWER: Getting some self-esteem would be Job One. Throughout your email, there seems to be an air of self pity and self loathing. Getting past that will immediately improve your chance of finding work. It's not a bad idea to perhaps seek professional counseling to help you out. In addition to that:

Seek recourse. What kind of recourse? Contact your state's Department of Labor to see what options are available to you. A couple warnings: 1) recourse is not revenge - go through the proper channels; 2) seeking recourse could increase the amount that you're blackballed - weigh the risks against the benefits. You may or may not obtain a measure of satisfaction - there's no guarantee in this area.

Develop success. Failure breeds failure and success breeds success. Continued success also breeds confidence. While big failures are easily obtained, big successes are not. More often, it's a slow process. Start with small successes - these will provide needed ego boosts. Slowly but surely, your successes will become larger and overshadow any blackballing that may have happened.

Build your network. Allies are your biggest job searching resource. The more allies you have, the easier your search will become. Sure, your former employer may be a big fish, but big fish aren't always the most liked fish in the pond. Bond with other employers who are out of your ex-boss' sphere of influence and you're likely to have a shorter job search.

Disregard. That's right - disregard the blackballing. Refuse to accept it as the end-all, be-all. At this step, you've sought recourse, developed success and built your network. When employers refuse to even take your application, tell them it would be a mistake to pass on someone with your skills and talents. Briefly explain your background (try the advice found here and here) and laugh off your firing as a blip on the screen - an anomaly.

Look elsewhere. If all else fails...if every employer in your field is involved in blackballing you, then look for work in adjacent towns. Or, if your small pond is remotely located, consider moving to a new pond, lake, river or ocean.

IN A NUTSHELL: To get past being blackballed, call your DOL office to find out if you have any recourse, develop success, increase your network, refuse to accept it as the final word, and, if needed, change ponds.