Phone interview - Should I say I was fired?

Question

Hello. I am having a phone interview for a Customer Service position (call center rep. not as a teller) with Wachovia Bank in about 20 minutes. The problem is, that I was fired from my last employer because of difference of opinion between me and an asst Manager. However, my manager then, told me that I could always use her as a referrence since the incident was not between myself and her. I was fired for "misconduct" and am unsure if to tell this to the person that will interviewing me. My cousin has told me she is ok to say she is my manager and cover for me saying that I still work there, good employee, blah blah blah - but - is this wrong? Or should I just build the courage and say that I was fired? And when asked, what do I say? I don't want to say that I was fired for "misconduct" (obvious reasons) but am afraid of what might be said by my manager even if she said she would always serve as a referrence for me? God I'm nervous.

Answer 1

Don't say that you were fired. Just say you left for personal reasons. The company that you worked for will probably not go into any details as to why you are no longer employed there.
If the interviewer pushes for a reason, say that it was a personality conflict. Don't go into a lot of details.

Answer 2

you never tell the next person you were fired. and your ex asst. man. is not allowed to say that you were fired or why. that's a law. they can only tell that you did work there and that's it. now if you get your cousin to do it then make sure she is prepared to give answers but not to much info. asst mang. say you can use them as ref's, but you never know they might say the opposite of what you think is good.
good luck