What can I tell them in the interview when they ask why I left my previous employment?

Question

I have absolutely no idea why I was terminated. Everything was going well. I had just finished up two large projects, both on tight schedules, and everyone was pleased with my work. I got along well with all my colleagues, and never had any complaints from clients. I was completely blindsided by the termination.

I was with this employer for 6 months as a temp, then 1 year as a permanent employee. When it was time for my performance evaluation, all the comments were good, but all the scores were marked as low. My boss offered to give me a good reference. It just doesn't add up.

So now I need to look for work, but how do I explain why I left my previous employment when I, myself, have no idea?

Answer 1

If i was you i would try to find out. Ask your old boss - say you would like to know so that if you were lacking in a certain area then you can improve yourself in your next workplace. Hopefully your old boss will reveal the reasons.

If he/she doesnt then try to find out from old workmates. It is good for you to know.

When they ask why you left your previous employment be honest. Honesty is always the best policy. Tell them exactly what you have said - that you were a temp for 6 months then became a permanent employee (this will look good for you). Then tell them about your performance evaluation - the good comments and then tell the truth and say that your previous employment were happy with you and you dont know why the position ceased. You could guess and say "perhaps the position was no longer needed, or perhaps they had to cut costs and reduce staff".

Sometimes in an interview they will just go on to the next question because you have given an answer - even if they dont realise that the answer didnt really answer their question!!!

Best of luck

Answer 2

It's a sad fact, but as so-called "at will" employees, we get to keep our jobs only as long as it pleases our employers, and we can be discharged at any time without cause. Note that this is not the same thing as being fired because you fit into a particular cagetory (i.e., being a woman or a particular ethnic minority). That kind if thing is technically illegal in most jurisdictions, and most employers don't want to go anywhere near that one... the lawsuits can be pretty costly.

Most of the time when somebody is fired, they get something called a "pink slip," and on it you normally find some short little sentence about why you are being discharged. "Position eliminated" is a common one when there's a layoff. Once I had a job that was a total wrong fit, and after six months both me and the employer agreed to part company. On that pink slip it simply said "Skills not compatable with position." Did you get something like a pink slip? If so, what does it say? That might give you something to start with.

If your former boss actually said that they'd give you a good reference, I guess we can take them on their word and if that's true, then you could say that you left your prior job because your position was eliminated. That's so common these days that nobody really cares.

Now, most former employers actually won't say anything about a former employee in terms of being a "reference" because they are so allergic about possiblity liability, so all they'll typically do these days is verify dates of employment and they stop there. I don't know what your last employer will do, since it sounds like they're not acting in the most responsible way in the world, but just keep in mind that most people don't give references. And most hiring people don't really take them seriously even if they are given, since most people are only going to list references who they know will say good things about them, so there's an inherent lack of validity in the whole process of references.

I know it's hard to really internalize this, but remember that one door that closes means that others that you didn't even know about can open. After that six month gig at the wrong company in the wrong job, I didn't know what I was going to do... But I ended up taking a job with a large company working with a very cool bunch of people, and really found an environment where I could do extremely well. I ended up getting a number of promotions, and at the point where I was getting a little bored, they really went out of their way to get me into doing something new... which is how I ended up relocating to Singapore from the United States to take on some new responsibilities working in Southeast Asia. I've been with this company for almost six years now, and none of it could have happened if I didn't loose that dreadful job with the other company! Same kind of new possibilities can come up in your case now that the last door shut - - making new ones potentially open for you!

Stay positive, and you'll do great!

Answer 3

The truth that's all, don't worry if u are professionally good u will get another job.

There are many reasons for services being terminated, other than inefficiency. It includes reducing the manpower, financial distress, and mostly in such scenarios the juniors get the sack according to their efficiency. There are other pressures that work also so don't worry to much. U got a long way to go u will be going through these situations with u or a friend, Chin Up and tell the truth and carry on Good Luck

Answer 4

Noooo!!!! by no potential ever communicate undesirable a pair of previous employer. the hot employer notably much by no potential hires everybody who talks approximately their previous. you may basically tell the hiring supervisor that in the beginning you had an spectacular dating with all your previous co-workers and supervisors, yet you had an argument with the boss yet you does no longer opt to speak undesirable approximately him/her. Say it replace into basically movements inwhich the boss had acted upon no longer something serious. while you're in ok status with that previous boss i might enable the hiring boss understand which you're keen to permit him to call the boss and hear his area of the story... if no longer plenty, in all threat enable him realize it replace into in basic terms a private conflict between the two considered one of you yet you would be happy to furnish different supervisors telephone numbers as reference. wish this helps! sturdy success!

Answer 5

You can say it just wasn't the right fit, or that your position was downsized.
If your boss is willing to give you a good reference, ask them what they are going to say when the new employer asks them why you left. Or get the reference in writing, and just say your company downsized.

Answer 6

The best answer you can give that will not make you look stupid is..........you left your previous employer to advance your career options........ you felt you had gained what you could from the previous employer and it was time to move on. It had nothing to do with your salary or wages. You felt you needed to move on and grow. I hope this helps. Good Luck to you.

Answer 7

Tell them the truth!....that you don't know Why either, and they ought to find out from your ex-employer--and that would be doing you a favour too!
When you say all this real candidly, it will also give ideas to this new HR dept how much they need to streamline their own methods.

Answer 8

Maybe the company down-sized and eliminated your position entirely? Doesn't hurt to talk to your ex-boss since he/she offered to give reference. Ask whether the termination is performance related, and if so, don't argue or justify, ask him/her to give pointers on how to improve.

Answer 9

Talk to your old boss first but perhaps you could say you needed a new challenge as there was no room for self development in your old job. Good luck. xx

Answer 10

Pursuing career advancement. Seeking better opportunities, etc.