Don’t be so defensive

If, in an interview, it comes up that you left on bad terms, “You will need a defensible — not defensive — strategy to explain the departure,” says Roy Cohen, career coach. “That’s where you acknowledge what happened but you also provide some context that appears unbiased. An example: One of my clients lost her job when it was discovered that her boss was stealing holiday money intended for temp employees. Although she was not aware of his activities or involved in any way, management felt that she was guilty by association. How did she explain the separation? By appearing to be honest, open, and transparent.”