Everything is going just peachy. Not only have you answered every question with confidence, but your answers have shown you are more than qualified for the opening. However, this confidence only grows in you once answering another question successfully. Before each new question your leg shakes under the table in anticipation for the question that will drop the bomb on this entire interview. You were fired from your last job and you have absolutely no idea what to say about it. Finally, the question is asked , “So why did you leave your last company?”
Are you prepared for a situation like this? Here are some tips to get you through this part of the interview:
- First thing I’ll mention is that those who were laid off have a free pass in this situation. Layoffs are well documented, and don’t always point to your performance. Simply state the reason for the layoff and provide a few more details about what happened and you should be on your way to the next question.
- Call your previous employer and try to find out just what will be said about you when a reference check is completed. It’s helpful if you can somehow match what will be said so it proves you are honest about the situation. Finding out you lied on an interview is about the fastest way to receive a rejection letter
- Never talk bad about your previous employer, manager, or co-workers. Maybe the reason you were fired was because of a poor relationship with your manager. Something you could say is, “My manager and I never saw eye to eye on how projects should be handled, but I did exactly what I was told and followed the processes he/she outlined. In the end, they felt our differences were still present so I was let go.” This shows you stuck it out and did not quit on the manager or company.
- Smile and stay confident throughout answering this question. Make it quick and to the point and move away from it. A terrified look on your face will not help the situation.
- Find ways to emphasize your positive work qualities. Possibly you were fired for a project that didn’t turn out in your favor. On this project you worked extra hours spending nights and weekends on it. You worked with internal and external customers on the project, and learned quite a lot. Talk about those things! Find ways to turn it around for you.
- Remember, this isn’t a trial! You do not need to defend yourself, stay focused on the fact that you are there to talk about your strengths. Seeing as they liked your resume, or maybe even your phone screen, the company already feels they could benefit from you.
Once the interview has concluded, make sure to evaluate the answers you gave regarding your termination. If the company doesn’t hire you, you can practice for when that question is asked again. Also, make sure to send a thank you note to the interviewer. Your overall positive attitude and eagerness in their position may surely outshine any negatives about the relationship you had at your previous employer.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Perhaps in the current economy, being laid off does not carry a stigma, but when I was a recruiter at a start-up, the hiring manager told me to avoid people who were laid off, because in his experience often those that are laid off are those not carrying their weight. Qualifying your layoff with a non-personal slant if you can do so within the bounds of honesty is a good idea I think. For example–”they closed our department” or “they discontinued our project.” Then the layoff is not about you as much as it is about the employer’s restructuring.
Len, that’s a great point. Large scale layoffs are well documented, and even prove the honesty of the candidate. Thanks for adding some thought to this!
Rich,
Great topic! It is relevant now, and will be increasingly so as the economy & job market come back around (whenever that may be). I suspect that employers are going to get used to seeing and/or hearing ‘laid-off’ referencing the time period surrounding the current funk we’re in, and will probably not question one’s honesty when using the phrase; generally speaking of course. When applicable, I plan on dressing up ‘laid-off’ with a phrase that unmistakenly lets the interviewer know it was during the time frame of when unemployment was at or near 10%….just sounds less generic and less likely that I’m masking being fired for behavior or performance reasons.
James – great point. With so many people out of work, recruiters and interviewers will be used to so many people coming in from a layoff.
what can interviewers ask your previous companies???? what are the guidelines/laws??
i mean, what do interviewers ask your previous employees most of the time?
Richie,
Good work bud! Could you cover self reviews? I don’t see them as much but from what I have dealt with in the past, many people do not take them serious enough. They feel that they will just accept what their managers say and go from there. This is a prime opp to have your voice heard and to change how you are viewed by management. I know this was my biggest pain point in working with/coaching my direct reports.
Hello Rich
I am from India. I worked for an MNC for 2.5 years and recently I was laid-off. In my relieving letter it has been mentioned that I have resigned voluntarily, nothing about me getting terminated or laid off. So in this case if a reference check is done and the previous company tells the interviewer that I voluntarily resigned, wouldnt the imterviewer think that I lied about getting laid off!
Please give your valuable suggestion!
Thank you
Richa
Hi Richa – thanks for your comment. I’m confused why they would say that this was a voluntary termination, instead of a layoff. Do you still have contacts at the company that you can reach out to and ask about this? It could be a mistake with the letter. Did you sign any forms admitting to voluntarily resigning?
Hi Rich,
The company made it look like I have resigned voluntarily because they wouldnt want us to face difficulty finding a job in future. At the time they asked me to leave the firm, I was given two options.
1. Termination
2. Resignation
So, had I denied to resign they would have terminated me. They had even kept the resignation letter ready and I have signed it. That way it would look like I have resigned. Also I do not have contacts at the company.
Thank you,
Richa
Hey Ed, I’ll try to do a piece on this at some point and will make sure to clue you in when you should check back!
Thanks for your comment and suggestion. I’ll surely let you know when this will be covered.
-Rich