I kind of need help, i have a job interview tomorrow, and i've had an issue i dont really know what to do about. Basically, i got fired from my last job. As to why, i dont really know. The manager called me up one day and said he had to "let me go" and that was it, no explanation given, no paperwork, nothing like that. What i suspect is i was having a lot of problems with one of the other employees, who seemed to have a lot of ties with management, and i think he pulled some strings somehow and got me fired. I've talked with other people who still work there, and even they have no clue why they fired me. At the time, when they "let me go" i was actually pretty happy and didnt really want to get into it with them, as i really hated the place and i was activly looking for another job anyways.

Now...i have absolutely no idea what to say about this on a job interview. I've been on them before, and a few times i just lied and said i was laid off. Which...i guess COULD be true as far as i know, because they never specifically said i was fired, nor gave any reason or anything. Other times i've told the truth and said that i was fired, but they'd always ask for details and i really couldnt tell them why, which i'm sure made me look like i was trying to hide something or lie, or even just an idiot, but it's the truth.

In any case, i sort of really want to get this job, yet i still have no idea how to explain what happened at the previous place. Anyone know a good way to put it?

 

Be truthful and tell them what you said here,,, don't go on and on about it,,, just that they let you go and you aren't even sure why. If they ask you to guess, then say something about the other employee, or guess it was downsizing,,, but keep it general and un-accusatory,,, They won't want to hire you if you have an anger issue with your former employer.

Good Luck!!

 

For the short term, I'd call your prior employer and ask what they will tell anyone who calls for a reference. Most companies will only divulge dates of employment and possibly starting and ending salaries. If your prior employer will call it a layoff, then you can say that with a clear conscience.

Over the longer term, let me recommend a book which has been a great help to me. It's called "Sweaty Palms: The Neglected Art Of Being Interviewed". It's worth a trip to the library.

Good luck, and let us know how things went.

Hank Murphy
2008 F-150 XL

 

I don't know if I'd do that...It could make him look he doesn't get along well with others...i'd also say "let go" instead of fired.

Tim

 

As a hiring manager I agree with phil6608.

Now I have some questions:

Did you file for unemployment benefits? And was your application approved?

Your FTE profile states that you are in Ohio. Ohio is NOT a right to work state. Generally speaking, a company in a Non-right to work state has to give cause for termination. You may want to contact your local labor board to find out exactly what your rights are. Could be important to know.

 

I did file for unemployment, because i actually did think i was laid off at first. The unemployment office said that they reported me as being fired. Well...actually they didnt tell me that until they sent me this huge questionaire. One of the questions was "were you advised of company policies and working standards" or something like that. I said yes, then they replied to the questionaire saying i was rightly fired because i was advised of company standards and the reason the place gave for firing me was "not performing job duties".

I actually had a pretty long, and drawn out argument with the unemployment office, they never told me which duties it was that i wasnt performing, and the place i worked certainly never told me. In the end i just kind of threw my hands up and said screw it, as i didnt really NEED an unemployment check, and i was sick of dealing with that damn place and just wanted it to be over.

But...like i said, i was actually happy to be out of that place, no matter what the circumstances. I talk to people who still work there, and they're all miserable and hate it, and apparently they've been firing a lot of people lately, so i didnt feel that bad about it.

But yeah, the company itself never gave cause for termination, and i told that to the unemployment office and they told me that doesnt matter. The only way i found out that i was actually fired was through the unemployment office. So....i dont know what the hell the deal is.

Anyways...the job interview is in about an hour, i'll definitely say that i was "let go", as thats honestly pretty much all the company told me, i'll try to downplay it all but i'm sure i'll be getting some questions about it.

In any case i need to stop thinking about it and just clear my head, i do best when i go in relaxed....