How to handle a termination in a job interview
Dear Sam:
I was just let go from an administrative assistant position I held for 14 years. I loved my job until about five years ago when the company hired a new supervisor. Since that time, I have just seemed to have constant disagreements with that person, stemming from different philosophies and approaches to work. Although my recent separation was mutual, I am concerned about how this will look on my resume and in an interview. How can I present this situation?
Dear Sunny:
First, there would be no need for any mention of why you left an employer on your resume. But during the interview be sure to smile, stay positive and remain focused.
Script your answer and practice it in front of a mirror (so you can recognize any non-verbal cues you might be exhibiting) and in front of a family member or friend. The hope is, by practicing your response, that your answer doesn’t seem scripted and allows you to stay focused without revealing too much information.
To answer why you left your employer I suggest stating something like, “As you can see, in the 14 years I spent with the company I thoroughly enjoyed my position, made significant contributions and played an integral role in the effectiveness of the administrative environment. Recently, however, I felt the company and I stopped sharing the same values of collaboration, teamwork and cohesion. I took the opportunity to reassess my career goals and seek a position that better emulated the culture and environment that I enjoyed so much—one focused on empowering team members, holding individuals accountable and fostering collaboration to drive shared successes. Hence my interest in the opportunity to join your administrative team.”
The point in answering the question is to do so in a way that reinforces the positive aspects of your candidacy, staying away from stating anything negative about the company.
Dear Sam:
What is the best way to handle the inevitable “Why did you leave your last employer?” question on an application? I was terminated after being employed for three years. While I have been successful using a networking contact to secure another position—bypassing the requirement to complete an application—I need to pursue a full-time role with a higher hourly wage.
— Anonymous Dear Anonymous:
Explaining why you were fired can be nerve-wracking. Was it a true firing for lack of performance or was it a reduction in force? Of course, the latter would be much easier to explain. If you were terminated for lack of performance, the key is to present a brief, positive explanation.
First, script and practice your answer to that question, being sure you don’t sound too rehearsed, but do know your lines well enough to not over-explain the situation. Avoid making disparaging remarks about your former employer or supervisor. Instead, focus on what you learned from the situation. Did it teach you in what environment you worked best or how you needed expectations clearly defined by a supervisor? Present an explanation which says, “Yes, this happened, but this is what I learned, and this is why it will never happen again.”
Most candidates have a skeleton or two in their closets that they will have to explain during the interview process. Don’t let this misstep continue to impact your career. Do you have a resume or job search question for Dear Sam? Reach Samantha Nolan at dearsam@nolanbranding.com. For extended content, visit Dear Sam Live at nolanbranding.com. For information on resume writing services, visit nolanbranding.com or call (614) 570-3442.