Dear Work Coach,
I was terminated from my job, nearly a year ago, because I decided to take a stand. There were some very questionable things going on within management. Since it affected the employees and the company in a very negative way, I started a petition within my department regarding the issues and more than half of the employees signed it. I submitted a letter, along with the petition to the compliance department, which got remarkable attention – resulting in a visit from the President of the company that included a one-on-one interview with everyone in the department. In the end, half of management was terminated along with myself.
I imagine they were uncomfortable with me staying there considering what I knew. The much needed change that was due to that particular department was granted because of my actions, so I am very happy that the employees have a better place to work, some of them had no positive outlet, including no high school diplomas. They had no way out.
I recently began seeking employment as a legal assistant and have gotten several call backs for interviews. How do I explain my termination without scrutinizing the company?
Zandria
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Hi Zandria!
First let me congratulate you on taking action that sounds like it wound up helping many employees. This is a tough thing to do and most people would have been afraid to take a stand like this, so I applaud you for wanting to make a difference. Sadly, it resulted in your departure – most companies just don’t feel comfortable keeping people who have taken such action, even if in the end the company benefits. I’m sorry about that for your sake, but I hope your next job will make up for all of it.
That said…there is no reason to mention any of the specific circumstances in your interviews. Nowadays, because of possible legal implications, most companies will not reveal details like this when contacted for references. Also, I would assume the company would rather not have its dirty laundry discussed in public. So I would guess they are hoping you don’t mention it either. (In the slim event they do talk about it as part of a reference, then you might want to have a talk with your former employer to explain that you are not discussing the details and would appreciate the same courtesy.)
Your best bet is to emphasize the good things and simply explain that there was a reorganization in which a layer of management was let go (or some such explanation). Be casual about the whole thing and keep your answer to this question short and sweet. The less mentioned about it the better. Main thing is to show only good will toward your former employer. Interviewers know that one day you might be leaving them and they like to hire people who won’t tell dirt!
Although your termination was part of a reorganization, CVTips.com has some thoughts that apply to any termination that wasn’t of one’s own choice. In their post, Answering the Interview Question: Why Were You Fired?, they emphasize being open in your answers:
“While trying to give a pleasant-to-hear answer do not hide the real reasons, i.e. if the company was going through financial problems, or if they were downsizing and found your position expendable, do not feel ashamed to say so. Emphasize how much you learnt from the past experience in the job and how much you look forward to move on. This will establish you as a mature person.”
Now that doesn’t mean you need to tell them the whole story. Just be open and direct about the fact that a reorganization happened and you were let go as part of the process. It’s such a common story nowadays, unless you make it into a big deal, a simple answer and a comfortable smile will suffice. The main thing is to emphasize you are looking forward to starting a new job in a company like this one. (It doesn’t hurt to have a few reasons why you are especially excited about this particular company.)
The bigger question for me is “What have you been doing in the last year since you were let go?” There is a one-year gap that, when coupled with a termination, could raise an eyebrow or two. Make sure you have a good answer that a new employer will be comfortable with. If you’ve done any volunteer work in that time or taken time to help a family member, be prepared to talk a little about that in a way that emphasizes your good qualities. (It never hurts to rehearse in front of a mirror or with a friend just to get comfortable with all the details of what you want to say. Just make sure you can still sound natural, as an employer is more interested in seeing the real you than hearing a “perfect” canned answer!)
The fact that you already have some interviews is a very good sign. You might even consider looking for a job within a union or labor law firm since you seem to have the spirit.
Just know that these things happen to most of us. Simply focus on what you have to tell that makes you a great hire and a good fit for the company. Leave the rest in the past where it belongs!
Good luck, Zandria. I wish you all the best in your new job.
Ronnie Ann
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Note: I’m one of the columnists on the Q&A site Job Lounge and on occasion will be sharing posts like this one here on my Work Coach blog.
Hi Confidential!
There are several articles on this blog that offer suggestions as to how to address these types of situations. Please browse the Popular Posts, Work Coach Cafe search, and categories, etc. to help you with the approach.
Basically, the idea is to be honest (without details) about there being some differences of opinion or whatever, and then to recover by showing this has never happened before – you have great references and experience, etc.
Always make sure you stay positive about your former employer – no matter what – and spend most of your response on showing why you are a great fit for this new company. (There’s too many possible nuances to address fully in a comment answer, but I hope you get the idea.)
My only additional thought is whether you might want to speak to an employment lawyer. You may have a case and/or you might need some good legal advice – just in case.
I wish you all the best!
~ Ronnie Ann
I was fired today from a financial institution because of a negative balance in my checking account. My husband and I had some money issues we were trying our best to figure out, and we finally had…….but then I slipped up. Everything else was going great with my job…..had been there over two years, was good at it too. I understand why they let me go. When you work with money on a daily basis, they want you to be responsible with your own. I get it. But how do i go on from here? Money problems are figured out, would another financial institution consider me? I’ve never been fired before.
Oh Erica! I’m so sorry. I can’t even begin to tell you how upset I am to read this. But then again, I’m sure you’re a lot more upset!
I’m not an expert on this particular subject – especially when it comes to current financial institution polices. I would think it matters by region of the country as well as individual institution. All the more reason to find a champion/mentor/ networking contact to make your case. And if you haven’t already done it, make sure you get a note added to EACH of the three credit score companies records for you.
Here is a post with some more thoughts and links I hope will help:
Will My Low Credit Score Ruin My Chances for a Job Offer?
Best of luck, Erica. Please let us know how it goes. And may I add…congratulations on working things out. Says a lot about you and I hope employers recognize that.
~ Ronnie Ann
Hi Ronnie Ann,
I was terminated last month ( May 2010) from a bank on the grounds of not abiding the set process and policies(misconduct). It was very unfortunate incident. I have worked with this bank for the past 2 years and have grown within the bank. I was promoted to Team leader from relationship officer position. I have been highly dedicated and committed to my work and have always overachieved the targets.
My managers and unit head are supportive and are willing to give positive reference about me to prospective employers.
My concern is Should i be applying for jobs with other banks. The suggestions i have received is that most of the banks will have HR reference checks and when contacted my HR would tell them that i was terminated for misconduct. They would not give the details as to how unfortunate it was for me.
I am thinking to go back to my home country and work there for a year or so and then come back again.
I am really very upset and was looking forward to grow. Having said that i am still positive but i am not sure whether prospective employers will understand my plight.
Since you have been banker yourself, kindly advice me what best should be done.
Regards,
Sam
Hi Sam!
Unfortunately, the details do matter here. If the misconduct was misappropriating funds, you will have trouble getting bonded ever again here and that will make a job in banking tough. But if it’s something of a less serious nature – although of course policies must be followed – you may have a chance. (The fact that you’re on good terms with your manager and unit head is very hopeful to me.)
Of course, I am NOT in a position to give you advice, but since you have good references and since, in most cases that do not reach a criminal level, HR errs on the side of saying less rather than more
, it might be at least worth a shot here. No matter when you come back, this may need to be faced since most employers here do extensive background checks. So why not give yourself reasonable time to try again to see if you can face it now and get past it?
Again…I’m not advising you, just offering a different perspective. I think the hardest thing for you may be facing your own shame at having made a mistake that cost you your job. We all make mistakes, Sam. I’ve made whoppers and still gotten back on my feet!
If you stay positive and sincerely explain you made a one-time policy/procedural error, still have good references from the firm, and have since learned big time from your mistake, then you do indeed have a chance. ( Focus on the learning and what you can offer the new firm.)
As I always say…it’s all in how you tell your story. Also a good time to ask your family and friends to suggest networking contacts. It will give you a leg up in your job search.
Best of luck, Sam. Please let us know what happens. And love your positive attitude!
~ Ronnie Ann
i was fired from a job that i worked for 13 yearsi am in the healthcare field. i don’t want to use the word terminated on my job application. i dont know if this employer will say anything nice about me. i was fired due to a family’s complaint against me
Hi axwilli6!
I’m sorry for what you’re going through, but I don’t have better advice to offer than what is written in this post and some of the links I included. In a resume, terminated is never used – but in a job application, you have to tell the truth because of background checks and since you can be fired later for lying.
Here’s a similar post that might help.
I Got Fired for Reading Patient Records. What Do I Say in a Job Interview?
We all make mistakes. The key is how you handle things and how you can show you’ve learned and are ready to commit 100% to the new employer. For now, try reading all these articles and the related links and you will find your best approach – there’s no way to undo what was done. As I say…it’s now about how you handle it. I hope you have some good references to help make your case.
Good luck.
~ Ronnie Ann
Hello,
About a month and a half ago I was fired at a job I worked at for 4 years as a Receptionist for accidently misplacing a piece of mail and it ending up getting sent overseas. I have an interview next week and after stumbling around the topic in previous interviews, I’m thinking of just telling them just the way it is. Something like:
“One of my duties as a receptionist was to sort and distribute mail and one day a peice of mail was accidently placed in the wrong office and I was let go as a result. However, I learned now to always double check and even, triple check everything I do to avoid making these kinds of mistakes again. I do believe I’m a very hard worker and I am looking forward to a chance to prove myself should I get hired for this position.”
How does this sound? Please give me any suggestions you may have on how I can word it better. Thank you very much for your help.
I was terminated after becoming sick and having gall bladder surgery. I was in the first few months of employment and not eligible for FMLA, so my boss told me to just take as much time as I needed. Two months later, I was let go and now they are fighting my unemployment saying they can let me go for any reason. Plus, I can’t find a job because if you say you had surgery and were let go for taking too much time off no one wants you. Help!
Hi Jill,
You need to find a different way to explain being unemployed – not a lie, but not that you were let go “for taking too much time off” after surgery. That explanation that is not likely to be encouraging to any potential employers.
Perhaps you could say (if true) -
You had surgery and the recovery was more extended than anyone expected, so you left the position.
OR -
You had to take a medical leave for an issue which is now resolved and not likely to cause you trouble in the future (right?). As a consequence of the time away from your job, you decided to find a better situation for your next job – a job that is more in line with your interests or with your long-term career goals (be sure to have those goals ready to share, if asked), or whatever is basically true about this job search.
Know that your former employer will probably be contacted about you. Most employers will only confirm that you worked there and the dates you were employed. But, sometimes people get chatty and might say more (or they clam up and people suspect there is “more to the story”).
It sounds like you might still be a bit angry with your former employer, and while you may be fully justified in feeling as you do, you can’t come across as angry about anything related to your former job. It “just wasn’t right for you” or something similar – do NOT dump on this former employer at all!
Be confident, business-like, and well-prepared in interviews. Practice answering the why-are-you-unemployed or why-did-you-leave-your-last-job questions. You need to answer those smoothly and acceptably and more on to the next question.
These excellent posts should help you:
* How employers view you being fired – by recruiter Harry Urschel on Job-Hunt.org.
* How to answer why you left when you actually quit – by Ronnie Ann here on WorkCoachCafe that is more applicable than you might think.
* Reason for leaving a job after 15 years – by Ronnie Ann on WorkCoachCafe, also applicable.
Good luck!
Susan