How do you explain in an interview why you were fired from a previous job?

Question

I have worked in banking, sales, fast food/food service, and in offices...I was laid off working in sales, and I am being laid off august first from a banking position, so I have those covered...I did get fired from one bank (not stealing or anything like that) for a security breach...some customer information was left out unintentionally. I don't want to say, "I was fired," I don't want to be honest because it is something I'm ashamed at...I just want something nicer to say...like, "oh it was a mutual choice," but something that makes me sound much better.

Please don't give me the, "just be honest" or the, "you should've been a better employee" comments...I know what I did was wrong.

Thanks you guys :)

Answer 1

Why even mention the previous job? I like "H N"'s comment about boasting the company you are applying at. This is a great way to lead off the track of your previous indiscretion. Or, if you MUST mention it, then say something like: "I had a momentary lapse of judgment, that I learned from and used it to better myself. And due to the fact I didn't feel I had a true connection with that previous job, It was a mutual choice, that worked out to both of our benefits. But, this company's outstanding reputation for blah,blah,blah gives me a renewed sense of motivation and determination. I am looking for a fast paced environment where I can prove my talents as (whatever it is you are going to do)" and quickly go into your strengths. This is admission without self defamation, and leads quickly into your positive qualifications. Employers do understand mistakes, especially when you are starting out. If the employer wants you to elaborate more, I know you don't want to hear the "Just be honest" thing, but, if they find out that you lied, it will be much worse, and much more embarassing to be labeled as a liar. So, say something, anything as long as you admit to it to some extent, without lingering on the subject. You catch my drift? Also, all your previous employer will be able to tell your prospective employer when they call to verify, is whether or not you are re-hireable or not. By Law, there are not allowed to give out the reason, but, this is enough to sort of tell the prospective employer what happened between you. Best of luck to you!!!

Answer 2

Your interviewer might not even ask for details so don't stress until you get there. Don't lie on your application though - if they hired you and later discovered that you had lied that would be grounds for dismissal (falsifying an application). Usually an application asks for the dates you worked at different places and the reason for leaving. Don't be afraid to say 'security breach.' As a manager I interviewed many applicants and unless I noticed a trend - say being fired from several jobs - I would not be overly concerned - especially in younger applicants. If you are asked to explain state what happened briefly and then be silent (don't go on and on about it). You could say something like: I made a careless error but learned from my mistake. It would be nice if we could go back in time and undo our errors, wouldn't it? But - we can't so I've just moved on and am a much more careful employee now.

Answer 3

You say you don' want to be honest because - - - -

Stop making excuses. You start off on the wrong foot by being dishonest in the first place.

"I made a mistake that I shouldn't have, and I was dismissed for cause." The only thing that "will make you sound better" is telling the truth.

If I ever find out one of my employees did that to me, he would find himself on the street a second time. Mistakes I can forgive - but I will not tollerate lieing.

Answer 4

You should always bring up how great the place you want to get hired in is.
You should say something like: I knew I was working in the wrong place because I had no connection with that job. But when I see the reputation and high standards of this company..... and here you boast some 'great' assets of the company you would like to work for. Look like you looked into it in your own time out of interest.

Answer 5

You do two things here. First, you don't admit to being fired from the previous job, rather, you contact the previous employer and negotiate a reference. That's what you tell the potential employer and if they do a reference check, it will be confirmed by the previous employer. Next, the potential employer is probably not interested in that retail position since it's largely unrelated to the position you're applying for. At most, they may simply inquire about whether or not you were a good employee and that's all. They won't ask specifics about that position. Although you were fired from a job that doesn't mean you still can't get a good reference. In most cases when someone was fired there were circumstances surrounding it. It's very seldom entirely the employee's fault. Between the risk of legal action by the employee, the fact you no longer work for them and the need for someone to get re-employed, the former employer will often give a good reference. The only time a former employee is not given a reference is that they did something SERIOUS, as in illegal (i.e. theft) or gross misconduct (i.e. fistfight) So you told a customer to "f" off, I'd think someone at that former employer will give you a reference. Just call the HR department and ask if there is a way to get a reference. It may not be great but it will be good enough for you to pass a reference check and that's all that matters. Just start by admitting your fault in the matter and that you need a reference to get a new job. When someone is going to be hired, the reference checks are usually for positions that are related to one you're being hired for. Retail and logistics are very different jobs so I doubt they will weigh the retail job reference very heavily. They may not even check it. If they do, it will just be "was he a good employee" and the answer will be something like, "He did a good job, just needed to work on his customer relations skills" It's not bad enough you'll fail the check and it won't matter for a logistics position. Best, -- Andy

Answer 6

Don't put it on the resume.

if you put it on the resume, and the topic is never brought up, dont bring it up. Beat around the bush.

If the topic comes up, make it look like you left. say phrases like, "I decided to leave because I felt I wasn't being challenged", or "unfourtently, things didn't work out, so I gave notice, left and decided to expand my field" Just avoid the "I got fired" or "I quit" or "they laid me off". Be creative. Write out a dialog

Answer 7

Don't tell them you were fired. If they call the Bank all the Bank will do is confirm your dates of employment. Layoffs are very common today and there is no shame in being laid off. So you've been laid off three times, big deal.

Answer 8

Just say I worked on Apprentice for Crazy Donald T.

Answer 9

Just explain that a mistake was made and they had to let you go, and that you learned from this mistake. Bosses know people make mistakes.

Answer 10

You could say "My supervisor and I agreed to disagree, she won and I am looking for a new position"