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Finding work after being fired-advice needed
Hi ladies,
I haven't posted on these boards in years, but I need your help. My situation is below.
I left my job of several years in the summer of 2010 to move to another job that offered higher pay and better benefits, as well as career advancement. I was only there for 2 months, and they let me go, without any explanation given (since I was on probation, they were legally allowed to do that). Ever since fall 2010, I have been out of work, looking for a new job (BTW,my record is spotless except for that one position).
On my resume, I do not even bother listing the 2 month job and just list my previous experience with my past 3 employers. During the interview, I always get the question of why did I leave XYZ in the summer without anything else lined up. What should I say to interviewers when this comes up? I have tried saying that I left to pursue another opportunity that wasn't a good fit, and I never seem to get ahead saying that (I haven't gotten any offers). Can anyone recommend a better line? I have an interview later this week and I really need the job and the money, so I would appreciate any pointers.
Thanks!
Re: Finding work after being fired-advice needed
I have never been in this position; but maybe just be honest?
Is it possible for you to find out why you were let go? That would bother me to no end, not knowing.
I was able to get unemployment and the UI person who did my case was told I was let go because the manager wasn't happy in her selection with me as an employee for the dept.
I honestly believe is was just a BS reason.I was never told that my work was bad, and I barely had started even working. I think it was more like one person on the team didn't like me and complained to her best friend (the manager) to get me dismissed. They also never refilled the position so it also could have been to save money....I don't know...
I don't think you need a "line". I think the explanation you gave ("it wasn't a good fit") is fine, and isn't necessarily impacting your chances.
Alternatively, you could say you have bene looking since the summer, and had a short-term position that didn't work out for either party.
Our little Irish rose came to us on March 5, 2010
Don't drink the water.
Disclaimer: I am not an MD. Please don't PM me with pregnancy-related questions. Ask your doctor.
If the position was never filled, and you qualified for unemployment, then you can honestly say that the position was eliminated, or that you were laid off.
Where I used to work, if an emplolyee was "laid off," nobody was allowed to fill that position for another six months-year.
And it's not that unusual! At my former company (same as above), they would hire people, then three weeks later turn around and lay them off. It svcked, and I felt so bad for the people who had left a good job, only to come to our company and be let go. They did this more than once (very cyclical industry).
Hmmm. I guess I would be uncomfortable that position was not disclosed in your employment history. If I asked you why you left without something lined up and you told me you did have something lined up and you just omitted the position from your employment history, I would think you were hiding something big. On the flip side, you might have troubles getting interviews when it listed. Sometimes the omission of that position could actually be reasons to let you go if you got hired and they found out about it later.
If anything, I would go with your position being eliminated and I might also try to justify why I omitted it, such as the position was eliminated while I was on 2 month probation (make sure it was clear it was a ?trial employment? probation and not that you did something bad and were given ?one more chance? kind of probation).
After working in HR I realized that being fired is not the kiss of death. I list my two jobs I was fired from on my resume and if they ask me I say I was terminated because the focus of the position transitioned to sales. Be honest, I will hired you if you were fired before - I will not hire you if you lie to me.
I agree with this. You may be under the impression that it was political/personality-related, but the fact that they never gave you a reason, they never filled the position, and you were able to qualify for UE all points to the position being eliminated - not *you.*
"Unfortunately the position was eliminated at the organization, so I was let go and received UE benefits for a short time. This brings to mind a question - can you tell me more about how this position is funded?"
(I don't know what field you're in, but I'm trying to basically have you ask them if your future employment is based on your ability to secure new clients/projects/etc. in which case you are master of your destiny of sorts or if you are an administrative person whose position is funded by other sources, etc. and in which case it is dependent on the powers-that-be deeming you and/or your position worthy enough to remain funded)