How to Explain a Termination in a Job Interview

How to Explain a Termination in a Job InterviewHow to Explain a Termination in a Job InterviewIf youhave been firedor otherwise terminated from employment, one of the toughest interview questions to answer is why you were terminated. Its difficult enough to talk about losing your job with family and friends. Its even harder when youre talking to someone youd like to offer you a job. Whats the best way to respond? How can you frame your departure from work in the best possible light? What should- and shouldnt- you say about your tenure with your belastung employer ended? It can be a challenge to come up withgood answers to questions regarding terminationfrom a prior job. You dont want to jeopardize your chances of getting a new position because of how you answered questions about how your last job ended. That said, becauseemployers check referencesand your previous employer may disclose the reason you were terminated, its important to be honest. If possible, talk to your previous empl oyer so youre sure that the reason you give and the reason the company gives match up. Options for Answering Questions Respond and move on. The simplest approach for responding toquestions about why you were terminated is to answer the inquiry directly and briefly so you can move on to other topics. Bring it up before the interviewer does. Another option is to bring up the issue before youre asked about it. Mentioning that you were terminated prior to being asked can be a way to explain your departure on your terms and move on to the rest of the interview. Keep it simple. Dont go into lengthy explanations and dont point blame. Its not a good idea to disparage your former company or boss. Dont blame yourself either. In fact, try your best to keep it positive by focusing on the fact that it was the job that wasnt agood fit. Dont give the interviewer any indication that you wont be a good employee if youre hired. Avoid Answers That Disqualify You Whenever possible, focus on iss ues which wont imply that youre not qualified for the job for which you are being considered. Avoid mentioning the word fired- you can avoid some of the stigma surrounding being fired if you dont come right out and say it. Terms like let go, the job wasnt the best fit and even termination sound better than fired. Mentioning a personal shortcoming which is not specifically related to the job youre interviewing for, while also referencing things you were successful at doing at your previous job, can be an effective way to respond to interview questions about why you schwefellost your job. Examples For example, you might have been terminated because of limitations with your ability to create computer programs for a technology platform. However, perhaps you excelled at resolving client problems and teaching others to use the software. If you are now exploring training, technical support, or sales positions the company might still maintain an interest in you as a candidate despite yo ur termination. Sometimes an employee is terminated because of a skill deficiency which can be addressed through coursework or seminars. For example, you may have been cut loose because you were unable to create complex Excel macros, but have subsequently taken a course where you have mastered Excel and can document your current competency.You can mention how you addressed the issue during the interviews. Downsizing and Restructuring In some cases, a termination might be at least partially attributed to downsizing or the de-emphasis of a product or service by a previous employer which was related to the candidates job function. Sometimes an organization loses ground to competitors and needs to eliminate staff while its product line is restructured. In this case, if you think you could excel at a function like sales support, or marketing with a more viable product line, for example, you might be able to pursue similar jobs with other more competitive employers in your industry. Overcoming Termination for Cause One of the hardest employment situations to handle, and to discuss in job interviews, is being terminated for cause. Do keep in mind thattermination for causeshould be a learning experience whereby you either reassess your strengths and weaknesses in order to move in a different job direction or to devise a plan to work on problem areas if you decide to stay the course in your current career field. Once you get your next job, youll have the opportunity to rebuild your career reputation and it will be much easier to job search next time around.