How do I explain why I was teminated to potential employers?

Question

Me and a coworker got into a heated argument and things were said. Now I'm put on suspension until corporate takes a look into the matter. I'm positive that with the circumstances I'll be let go.

Now, for future resumes what is some good advice that I can use to try to make it look acceptable? I've worked at the place for about six months and I do have to take responsibility for what happened with that event. How do I go about telling my potential employer about the situation without him automatically declining me? Should I spare some of the details, or just not elaborate on it so much?

As well right now I'm in the process of filling out applications with my suspension time. When it asks "Have you ever been terminated from a job" what should I put?

Answer 1

For one, you could put down that you had a personal conflict with another employee. You can also tell them how you would deal with such an incident in the future (what you learned from the experience will put you ahead of the game, there.) As to have you ever been terminated from a position, you HAVE to disclose that you were. They will check out your places of employment and it is way better if YOU give them the heads up. BUT, don't shift the blame onto the other employee, take responsibility for your part and explain what you would do in the future and the steps you have taken to prevent this.

Answer 2

Honesty is the best way to go... but you probably need to really examine the way you phrase that honsty. Don't just say "things were said" as you did here. That leaves the door open for the interpretation that you may have threatened to kill the co-workers children or something. Think about what "things" were said and explain why you said them. Not necessarily WHAT you said, but why.

You could say something like "I had an argument with a co-worker and I said something very inappropriate. I was really angry, but it was a stupid thing to say, and I just wasn't thinking. I've learned my lesson the hard way, I guess."

It's honest, apologetic, reassures the potential employer that you're not just a firecracker waiting for a light, and it doesn't give away too much. But don't say it if you haven't learned your lesson. Honesty is key.

Good luck!

Edit: the Y!ABut gave you some great advice there, too.

Answer 3

As I understand it, your former employer, when asked about you, will not say more than "we would hire him again" or "we would not hire him again." More than this makes them vulnerable to lawsuits.
What your prospective employer wants to know is, under what circumstances you might leave them.
I would advise you not to lie, but not to tell them more than you have to. If they ask, you can tell them in very general terms what happened, as you did in your question. If this happens, don't blame others, even if they are partly to blame, because the new employer doesn't want a malcontent. Let them know that you understand that you didn't handle the situation well, and show that you know a better way to respond in the future.
If you haven't been terminated yet, you can honestly still say that you haven't been. You don't know for sure until you get fired officially, so don't say you have when you haven't. You may never have to explain it, or you can explain it later when you have to.

Answer 4

I would put down "personal reasons" if you think you can do that. If they want to ask you for details, they will, and then you can get into as much or little detail as you want. It is no secret that sometimes personality conflicts disrupt work situations, and maybe you can end up leaving before they terminate you. If that is a safer alternative, then you won't have to lie about anything and can say you left of your own accord.

Answer 5

My oftentimes rules - -do not voluteer being "fired" from a job. If the employer would not develop the question, there is no reason to deliver it up. -there is in basic terms about continually more suitable than one clarification why a job is now no longer a robust "in good structure." So, do not concentration in on one particular undertaking or incident. as a replace communicate as a rule matters. as an social gathering, one topic, you would say "that is mandatory to me to artwork in a place of work with extreme criteria." provide examples of ways that ecosystem did not implement such criteria. One social gathering is that workers were allowed to deliver their toddlers to artwork and go away them unsupervised or waiting to misbehave in very disruptive strategies. in this age of the internet and residential depending agencies, you may start up a sparkling "interest" on any given day by technique of starting up your own organization or starting to be a member of a few different person's living house depending organization community, so there do not opt for to be massive gaps in employment. Having a job would not propose you'll want a suitable income, and jobs might want to be section-time, finished-time, settlement, internship, temp or volunteer. don't be brazenly dishonest, yet when no longer requested, i might want to ward off pointing out that i become counselled to seek different employment till you comprehend for particular that they'll call that employer for a reference. strong luck!

Answer 6

I would put "personal conflict with a co-worker" if it comes to that. Right now, you haven't been terminated so you can honestly say "no". If you are lucky enough to find a job before you are terminated, then you can quit and then you can honestly say you have never been fired. If it was me, and I felt strongly that I was going to be fired, I would definately quit before I gave the b@stards the satisfaction of firing me.

Answer 7

Ive always found honesty is the best policy - however, you may want to skip some of the fine details...especially if they make you appear responsible for the entire ordeal.

Either way, I wish you much luck in your search. Cant keep a good pirate down for long...

Answer 8

Well it sounds like you haven't been terminated yet, so I would answer that question with "no." If you are positive that you are going to be fired, and you have another job lined up, I would quit. I think that it is better to quit than to get fired.

If you are asked about it in an interview say that there were different views or philosophies.

Answer 9

just be honest if your work record is good they may well like your honesty