Dear cherryblossom:

No doubt, luck does play a significant role in life.

Why do you think what you have done before in job searching is no longer working? Is it a change in the economy, in the function of companies (for example downsizing often to cut costs).. ???

I wonder if you are worried about your former boss giving you a bad recommendation? Reads to me like for his own reasons he is not going to give a potential employer a negative review of you..?

anita