How to Explain Dismissal at Your Next Job Interview
While there is probably little you can do when faced with a layoff , you can control how you deal with it afterwards. If you’re getting ready for an interview for your next gig, well, first of all, congratulations. But what do you do when it’s time to talk about getting fired? There’s a good chance you’ll be asked to explain any gaps in your resume during an interview, so it’s in your best interest to be prepared. I spoke with Tony Frana, Leading Career Expert at FlexJobs and Remote.co , for some tips on how to deal with being fired from your previous job while you’re trying to find a new one.
Get ready and stay positive
When it comes to layoffs, Frana says it’s good to take a look at yourself first. Layoffs happen in all industries , and hiring managers understand that this is not always indicative of the ability of the applicant, so it is in your best interest to be open and direct. “There is no need to make excuses or try to embellish the situation,” she says. The best tactic is to “quietly [admit] that this was a major layoff due to business decisions and not the result of your past work. Be clear about the facts, explain that you are looking forward to new opportunities, and move on.”
So, how exactly should you describe your own firing experience? Frana gives an example of what a strong candidate’s response might sound like:
“ Yes, I got fired at my last company. You may have seen on the news that they have cut staff to create a more sustainable business model. Unfortunately, my department was completely liquidated. While I was disappointed, I realized that this decision reflected the changing business climate the company is in. I now see this as an opportunity for a new role where I can contribute to an organization like yours .”
Obviously the specifics will vary, but whichever wording you choose, be sure to write an example script beforehand so you don’t get caught off guard and left looking for words.
Practice reformulating the conversation
It’s natural to feel stressed explaining why you were fired from your last job, but having a plan for how you’ll answer a question and practicing the answer before an interview can help you calm down. After you talk about the layoffs, Frana advises redirecting the conversation to “[bring] attention back to what you have to offer as a candidate.”
If you’re still stressed out, think of it this way: getting fired is a short chapter in your professional history. What’s more, Frana adds, despite how it all ended, “you most likely gained a lot of experience and skills while working at your last company.” You can positively reframe the conversation along these lines by saying something like:
” I’m still grateful that I spent time [at your last job], despite how things might have ended, and that I look at the situation as an opportunity for new challenges and opportunities .”
Frana points out that instead of focusing on one negative experience, you added a positive touch that allowed you to focus on the larger history of your work.
Don’t feel obligated to bring this up on your own
Finally, unless your interviewer directly asks why you quit your last job, don’t go out of your way to bring it up. Frana reminds us that you are not required to disclose why you left your previous job.
However, do not just hope that the topic will go unnoticed. Asking a candidate why they left their previous job is a standard interview question, so be prepared. “It is important that if you are asked a question, you are honest, clear and transparent about why you were fired,” Frana says. After all, your interviewer understands how impersonal layoffs can be, and he’s not going to annoy you. Answer their questions, stay confident, and move on with the interview.