How do you answer an interview question about a previous job when you got fired?

Question

I was fired last November and have not had the courage to get another job but now I need one so I sent my resume out and got an interview tomorrow. I have not ever been fired before in my life but to be honest I am just starting my career and that job is my only experience in my field! I dont know how to make the being fired thing not sound like a big deal...Please help!
Background: I was fired because I am still a student...which was understood upon hire and I dont know everything...apparently I was supposed to know more than I did and asked way too many questions and finally my boss decided that I was not an asset and let me go. Please help!

Answer 1

There's a difference between being "let go" and being fired. Fired means you did something wrong; broke policy, were insubordinate, violated dress code, and like that. If you were let go because they're expectations of you were not met, then you have nothing to be ashamed of. When you go to the interview and they ask you why you left your previous position, simply answer, "It was not a compatible position. After speaking with my supervisor, we both agreed that it was not the right job fit and I felt I needed more opportunity to learn." Or something along those lines, where it sounds like it was; not your fault. You had more to learn, you have now learned it and your are still willing to learn. Point out that you are not afraid of asking questions, and that your previous employer can agree to that, and that you are looking for a work environment that can help you while you help them. Good luck. Don't be nervous, be yourself.

Answer 2

You don't need to worry because this is actually an easy one! LOL!! What you do is you contact your former employer and you both agree on what reason is to be given. You will be amazed at how accommodating a former employer will be in helping you find another job even though they fired you! Not only will they NOT mention you were fired, they'll say the most absolutely WONDERFUL things about you!! It'll make you wonder why they ever fired you in the first place! LOL!!

People get fired all the time and often, it has nothing to do with being incompetent. So long as it wasn't anything illegal (i.e. theft, fraud, assault, ... ) or you PO'd someone important there, they will help you. First, you don't work for them anymore so why should they do anything to prevent you from getting hired somewhere else? A reference is costs nothing, even a written one. Next, and more importantly, helping you with a reference avoids any possible litigation over your termination. You can't get reference from someone then sue them! The former employer will pounce on the opportunity to close the book on the bad experience because the last thing any employer wants is legal action (huge cost and HASSLE!!) Giving a good reference solves that! I've had former employers who fired me give me such glowing references, it made you wonder why they ever fired me!! It's truly amazing what they will say!

Now the important point for the interview is that what you say about the former employer must match the reference they give. That's why it's crucial you speak with the former employer and AGREE on what is to be stated: the reason and also what you did for them. It must match exactly to avoid any suspicion. If you do that, you're not only safe, you're ahead of the game with a glowing reference!

-- Liam

Answer 3

There is your answer - you were dismissed because your former employer needed someone with more experience and did not have the time or inclination to bring you up to speed. It is a very common problem in young people - bosses hire with high expectations and no ability or time to train it is not your fault. Explain what you appreciated about the experience and you hope one day to be good enough at your job that you can be a better supervisor/trainer since it is clear that the expectations you both had were not met. Never speak ill of a past employer but be clear that it was not negligence or criminal activity merely a poor skill match and you both agreed you would be better off with a job that offered more support than they could provide. Good Luck!

Answer 4

never tell an employer you were fired. tell them you were "let go" due to scheduling conflicts. Spin it in whatever way you can to get them to sign your paychecks. You have one goal in this interview, make the new employer feel like you are an asset, and not an ***. Good luck.

Answer 5

I would just tell them that technically you were a useless addition to your job, and that you were bringing down the morale of the other employees at your old job. I think the honesty will really help bring a new light to the interview table and they will let it go. Or tell them you were sleeping with the boss and he let you go. Or tell them that it was a racial issue but that you don't like lawsuits and you let it go. Or tell them a sob story and maek them feel so sorry for you that they have to hire you. Whatever you do, don't blame it on schooling, thats so cliche.

Answer 6

answered this for someone else recently and i said say something like you were downsized or left by mutal decision or just left b/c the job wasnt right for you. i think its illegal for a former employer to say you were fired or why..