Explain the reason for the firing in a job interview.
If you've been terminated from a job, you may be worried about explaining your situation to potential employers.You don't want to get caught up in a lie and make yourself look good at the same time.It's important to be honest and confident, no matter what happened.You will need to learn how to turn a negative into a positive in order for your interviewer to look past your previous firing.
Step 1: Tell the truth.
Honesty is the best thing you can do when your interviewer asks you a question.Making up stories will make you look bad.If the interviewer calls to follow up on your story, what should your employer say?It's important that you don't say anything that will change the story of your former employer.You need to own up to the fact that you were fired and not just say you resigned.It's important to address the question at hand.Changing the subject will make you seem suspicious.
Step 2: You should stick to the facts.
Even if you feel strongly about why you were fired, try to keep your emotions to a minimum.Provide a brief description of the events that led to your dismissal.Don't come across as overly apologetic by sticking to the facts.If you apologize for your actions during an interview, you will make yourself seem desperate.Instead of saying "My boss was mean to me and I couldn't handle the pressure, so I made some dumb mistakes, which I know was really bad," try saying something like, "The way I work is very different from the way my former boss works."He thrives on deadlines and I like to prepare for them in advance.I wasn't always able to get the results he was looking for.
Step 3: Don't point a finger.
A prospective employer isn't likely to believe you if you blame your firing solely on your former employer.If you say that you were not the right fit for the company's culture or the specific job, be sure to comment at least somewhat on your own role.Everybody in that organization violated company policies but never got caught.I am lucky that I got caught.You are self-righteous and irresponsible if you blame others for your own mistakes.Don't think about your wrongdoings either.Keep this brief and then move on to more positive comments.
Step 4: Don't whine.
It's never a good idea to say bad things about your former employer during an interview.Even if you're still angry about being terminated, do your best to stay calm.You don't want to look like a person who is angry.
Step 5: You can save the details of wrongful firing.
It's best not to let your interviewer know that you are pursuing legal action against your former employer, even if you feel discriminated against.It is illegal to not hire you because of this, but the interviewer may see it as a red flag.You don't want your prospective employer to think that you will cause legal problems in the future.
Step 6: Show that you've learned from your mistakes.
When you acknowledge what went wrong at your last job, it's important to communicate what you've learned.Discuss how you would deal with the same situation if it happened today.If you were fired for violating company policy, try saying something like, "I didn't realize that violating the policy would be taken seriously."This incident made me more responsible and respectful of rules.I have more respect for the company, the position, and the responsibility that came with it because I understand the gravity of what I did.Make it clear that you won't make the same mistake again.You may come off as lacking in confidence and desperate for the job if you are overly critical of yourself.Don't berating yourself to show false modesty, just talk about the lessons you have learned in a subtle and positive manner.You shouldn't be selling yourself short.
Step 7: The negatives should be surrounded with positives.
To avoid sounding overly negative, surround the statement with positive remarks and make sure to say something a little bit negative.If you were fired because you had a difficult time getting along with your coworkers, you can try to fit this information between statements about your enthusiasm for doing a good job and the lessons you've learned about teamwork.
Step 8: The attention should be on your other work.
If you have only been fired once and have a good record, emphasize the fact that it was an outlier for you.
Step 9: Don't be embarrassed by a layoff.
Being laid off isn't the same as being fired.Your interviewer knows that it probably had more to do with the company's bottom line than it did with your performance.If you were laid off, don't worry about how it will look.Say something like "My position was eliminated" or "the company let many employees go due to financial issues" if you were laid off.
Step 10: Cut yourself some slack.
It's important that you don't eat yourself up about it, even if you were fired for something.If you do, it can have a negative effect on your confidence, which can be seen by prospective employers as a lack of competence.
Step 11: You should talk to your former employer.
You may be able to get support from your last employer.When you are looking for a new job, talk to your former employer to get a reference.Since the employer will always be a part of your work history, it's important to maintain a positive relationship even though you were fired.It will probably be necessary for you to own up to your mistakes.If you were fired because you weren't efficient enough, try admitting your mistakes and explaining what you've learned from them.If you've learned your lesson, your former employer might be willing to recommend you.Even if you can't get the support of your manager, you may be able to get a good reference from someone else.Don't be afraid to ask.You won't have much luck if you did something really bad, like stealing from the company or attacking a coworker.
Step 12: The details need to be saved.
Unless the question is specifically asked, you don't need to state why you left your last job on your resume or cover letter.If you are asked to provide an answer in writing, keep it brief and nonspecific.You can give more information during the interview.It would be beneficial to explain a terminated contract before you are put on the spot.This is up to you, but keep in mind that you might be better able to explain it during a face-to-face conversation, rather than with a few sentences in your cover letter or on an application.
Step 13: Improve your resume.
If you were out of work for a while after being terminated, you may be worried about how your absence from the workforce will look on your resume.Show your prospective employer that you spent time enhancing your skills, instead of looking like you didn't do anything during this time of unemployment.If you can, get a new degree or certificate and take a few classes to learn new skills.Try your hand at work.It will make you look like a leader even if you don't have much business.If it's related in some way to your field, volunteering can be a resume booster.
Step 14: Woah professionalism.
One of the best things you can do if you want to get a job is to be professional.Give your interviewer no reason to doubt your ability to get the job done.Dress well, arrive early, and silence your phone if you want to practice good interview manners.It's important to research the company and be prepared to answer questions about the industry and job requirements.