What is best to say in a job interview concerning your termination from your last job?

Answer 1

This can be a rather difficult question for some in job interviews. If you were fired from a previous job your potential new boss will want to find out why you were fired.

It is not a good idea to fail to mention that you were fired from a previous job on your application form, because the employer will find out - they always check your employment history. In reality, the employer is testing your honesty - would YOU hire somebody who was dishonest or tried to hide things? No, you wouldn't.

When an interviewer asks you about your previous job termination, remember to remain calm at all times. Do not panic, do not stutter and do not refuse to answer. These will indicate dishonesty.

The moment you hear the question being asked, stop and think clearly before you respond. You should always accept the interviewers offer of a glass of water before the interview starts. This glass of water will help you if your mouth runs dry, which is bound to happen because you're naturally nervous for the interview. A glass of water is also a great distraction for time, pick up the glass and sip slowly - this will give you precious seconds to think about an answer while hiding that you are stalling for time.

Another important thing is to smile. Don't let any negative body language or negative facial expressions take over when you hear the question. Believe it or not, people think better when they are smiling than when they are frowning.

One of the important rules of job interviews that you usually will not hear anywhere is to have the ability to turn a negative into a positive. For example, if you are poor at numeracy, mention to the employer that you plan on taking evening classes to boost your numeracy skills, but need to have some income first to pay for it - you have just turned a negative into a positive and most likely impressed the employer with your positive thinking, strive for learning and plans for the future.

It is rather easy to turn a job termination into a positive during an interview. Understandably your mind will "go blank" for a few seconds at the Horror of the question - which is why the glass of water is a crucial part of an interview.

You should keep your answer to the termination question brief but informative. People are known to ramble on a bit out of nervousness, especially if they feel the termination was unjust - this can put the potential new employer off you. So remember, brief but informative. Be honest but not "too" honest.

You might be able to get away from any after-questions concerning the answer you gave by adding a question at the end of your explanation.

You should also avoid saying anything that may "disqualify" you from the job. For example, if you procrastinated a lot in the last job due to lack of motivation, try to keep that to yourself, otherwise the interviewer will see you as "lazy" and cross your name out with a red pen.

Another tip is to avoid using the word "fired". There is a lot of stigma around the word "fired" in the employment business. Instead use terms such as "let go", "termination", "discharged", "laid off" or "released".

Here are some examples of how you can word your answer to the question "Why were you terminated from your last place of employment?". Feel free to twist them so that they are relevant to your situation:

• "Being cut loose was a blessing in disguise. I am now free to explore jobs which are more interesting to me, fit my interests, skills and qualifications. My research into your company suggests that this job is perfect for those combinations. Would you like to know more of my skills in engineering?"

• "My skills and competencies were not the correct match for my previous job or employer. However I can see that they are an excellent fit for this brilliant job within your organisation. In addition to my computing and IT skills, would marketing promotion skills be valued here?"

• "Although circumstances caused me to leave my first job, I was very successful in college. I got along well with both students and staff and worked well both independently and in teams. Perhaps I didn't fully understand my boss's expectations or why he released me so quickly before I had a chance to prove myself."

• "My previous boss and I agreed that my last job was not working out so well. We both agreed it was best for me to move on and find employment elsewhere rather than being stuck in a job that just wasn't suitable for me. So here I am, ready to work for this great company."

• "I had a long thought about my termination and I realise that I should have done some things differently, which would have prevented me being laid off. That job was a learning experience and I think I'm wiser now. I'd like the chance to prove that to you."

• "I had personal problems at the time, which I now have solved. Unfortunately these problems upset my work life. These problems no longer exist and I'm up and running strong to exceed expectations in my new job."

• "I wanted my career to move in a different direction, I realise now that my mental separation from my last job set up the conditions that led to my departure. But by contrast, the opportunity we're discussing seems to be made for me and I hope to eventually grow into a position of responsibility."

• "There was a large downsize at my last job. I survived several downsizings previously, unfortunately the last downsize included removing me and most of my department. Sign of the times, I guess."

• "I was desperate for work and took the wrong job without a second thought. It was a mistake that I won't make again. I'd prefer an environment that is congenial, structured and team-oriented, where my best talents can shine and make a substantial contribution."

Good luck with your interview. Remain calm, smile and turn negatives into positives.