If you get fired, how do you explain it during future job interviews?

Question

Hiring managers usually ask why you left your last job. Well, what if it was because you got fired? How do you handle something like that?

Answer 1

I was fired from a job .......................... I tell them the job was temporary!

Answer 2

#1, be honest and direct. Just about everyone has been fired at one time or another. Yes, that includes me. Unless the reason you were fired involves possible criminal actions (assult, theft or drunk on the job) it is ALWAYS possible to put your dismissal in the best possible light. Let me present an example that is a common reason for people being fired. If you were terminated for arriving to work late an excessive amount of times perhaps you just need to explain why. As an example....transportation problem. Inform the interviewer that you have corrected this problem by fixing your car, purchasing a bus pass, joining a carpool, taking a bike to work,etc. It will go a long way in demonstrating that you that have addressed the problem and fixed it so it won't impact your new job. If you were terminated for theft or assult....it will be an up hill battle but the best way to address these situations is to present several key success factors or skills that you have which may help in balancing the scales with your potential employer. These success factors should demonstrate how they will benefit the company (increase sales, decrease expenses, improve efficiency and the like) or their customers. I would not foucs on showing that you are a good person who works well with others! I have been in positions of authority where I had to hire and fire people and these are the things I looked for during interviewing new hires.

Again, let me reiterate...be honest and up front. Being terminated for lying during the interview or on an application after you have been hired will follow you and follow you and follow you....
Good luck.

Answer 3

This really depends on what you got fired for. But you can always tell them that you and your former employer mutually came to the decision that it would be best for you to pursue more profitable career opportunities. Tell them the lack of advancement opportunities became an issue and the level of negativity at the job became unbearable and that you are now seeking a position where you will be given a chance to grow professionally and maintain a positive attitude :)

Answer 4

i think i would tell them the truth, but reassure them it was never going to happen again, i would convince them that i am a good worker and if they hire you,you would prove it. for real it is really hard to get a job after you are fired from another job, because employers don't want to hire people that don't take their job serious but on the other hand , they will respect you for telling the truth. they are just like everyone else and they know that every one makes mistakes.GOOD LUCK

Answer 5

Don't say you was fired just say something like you found a better job or their was no room for advancement or you were looking for a new line of work. Try and see!

Answer 6

I felt that it was time for me to search out other opportunities in order to find what was best for me as a person. That way, I can be sure to benefit my employee.

Plus, when jobs call other jobs, they can't tell them that you were fired. Only if you worked there or not.

Answer 7

Honesty is the best policy...always!!! Explain with out totally incriminating yourself and blowing a potential position, yet DON"T LIE!...ie: if calling out of work continously to go play golf got you fired.....you could say that a social obligation conflicted on ocassion with your work schedule. It would be the truth, yet is sounds better than I called out sick too much to play golf. Ya see what I mean? Good luck!

Answer 8

Find out if your past employer provides a neutral reference and confirm what info is provided to someone doing a background or employment check. Often companies will only disclose your dates of employment, latest title and latest salary. Then try & give a positive reason for leaving....looking for more of a challenge...that sort of thing.

Answer 9

Well I would be honest and just explain what happened. Remember that if they do a background check on you and you lied about it during your interview don't expect to get the job.
Good luck.....

Answer 10

Just say that you and they had a difference of opinion. And after the difference you decided to find another job. This is a true statement after all.

Answer 11

Your focus is on law enforcement and security, Stay focused on that and embellish a little when explaining the termination from the fast food industry. I'm sure you can handle that.