How To Discuss Being Fired During A Job Interview
“Why did you decide to leave your last position?” can be a dreaded interview question for anyone, but especially if it wasn’t actually your decision to leave. In the event that you’ve been fired from a role and now find yourself unsure of how to approach this topic, it’s best to plan ahead for your interview with these five tips in mind.
Be honest
When it comes to answering any interview question, honesty is the best policy. When you’re telling the truth, you’re speaking from experience and are able to confidently deliver your answers. Sharing this news honestly and confidently will show the interviewer you value integrity and are prepared to answer the following questions. On the other hand, being dishonest in an interview could potentially jeopardize your new role before even beginning. For example, if your reference tells a different story about your previous experiences or you're caught in a lie later on.
Remain positive
Never speak poorly about your past role in an interview – the company you worked for, your manager, co-workers, etc. When discussing your reason for being terminated or any similar question about your previous position, be sure to keep all of your remarks as positive as you can. This will show your interviewer that although you may have experienced a negative situation in relation to these aspects, you’re able to rise above and can still speak about your experiences in a responsible way. If you do end up getting this new role, the interviewer will know going forward that they have chosen a positive candidate to join their team.
Focus on what you’ve learned
Being fired from a position is never ideal. It’s understandable you’ll experience a mix of different emotions – confusion, anger, sadness, insecurity. However, if you look hard enough, you might just find a silver lining. Perhaps being let go from an organization will be the push you need to find a role in your dream field, make a big move to a new city, or take a step back from your career and focus on your wellbeing. In the long run, you will also come to realize what did and didn’t work in your previous role and what you want to look for in the next one. If your termination is brought up during an interview, it’s these aspects you want to focus on. What good came out of being let go? And how did it prepare you to come back even greater?
Keep it simple
When it comes to discussing your termination from a role, remember it’s possible to tell the truth without going into extreme detail. Keep your explanation short and sweet in order to answer the interviewer’s questions, but be sure not to drag the story out or include any details that aren’t necessary – especially if they paint you in a bad light. To an interviewer listening to your story, providing too much detail can feel like you’re overcompensating or scrambling for an answer rather than speaking the truth.
Know when to move on from the conversation
In an interview, you never want to avoid a question or tip-toe around your answer, but after confidently offering an explanation as to why you were fired from a previous role, it’s important you know when to move on in your answer. Redirect the conversation into who you are now and the changes you have made in your professional and personal life since being terminated. Let the interviewer know that despite this challenge, you are ready to start fresh and are excited to potentially be moving forward in the hiring process. Show the interviewer you do not dwell on the past but acknowledge that it has made you who you are today.
Reentering the workforce after being let go from a role can initially be pretty intimidating. Not sure where to begin? Contact Nexus today for a personalized recruitment experience.