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Help me with this Q for interviews
So, I don't know if this is something that is making me fail at interviews, but it's the question I dread: Why did you leave your last position?
My usual response is "Well, there were a lot of layoffs going on around me, the company's main clients were car dealerships so when they started going out of business, the company business was affected as well". Which is true, but obviously not what happened specifically with me. I think I told the truth about what happened at two interviews, and obviously that didn't go anywhere.
I was always told to not say at an interview I was fired from my last job. But I always feel like I hesitate and give off a "lie" vibe when I say my usual response, which probably hurts me.
I just feel like it's a black mark on my record, no matter what the reason (for refresher, I was fired because the recruiting department found my resume on a couple job sites, and because I wrote a "rebuttal" to my negative review I got, even though I was given that option, none of it was due to the inability to do my job, or being insubordinate).
I need help with this question!
On the plus side of things, I go in for training on the 19th for a temp job (5-6 weeks), but I may or may not be able to take it, due to my vacation next month. I'll have to wait until I meet my supervisor to see if they'll be ok with letting me go for that week. Gives me a little bit of hope, but not knowing if I can work there just yet is a little nerve-wracking. Looking for work is just so damn depressing, it's hard to be positive after 8 months of no work.
Re: Help me with this Q for interviews
That's a hard one and I'm not sure if it is what is holding you back or not - it's hard to say. A friend of mine almost didn't get a job because she was laid off twice and the hiring manager had never been laid off before so he didn't understand that being laid off was because there just wasn't enough work not because there was something you did. She ended up getting it because his supervisor was like um duh that happens all the time.
Anyway, back to your question - I think if you tell him you were laid off and they check with your previous employer and they tell them why you really left that might be causing you some trouble.
I think it is fair to say that you believe you were relieved from your duties because you were searching for new work and HR found your resume online. I think I'd leave out the negative review thing only because it might make you seem like a trouble maker even though you aren't.
Either way, good luck with the temp job!! I hope they'll be able to work around your schedule!!!
This, exactly. Be honest, but don't divulge too much. As Carrie said, they can call your previous employer, so definitely let honesty be your policy.
Wow, that is really tough.
I'm going to be completely honest. (Disclaimer: Since I know you, this is not what I think. However, this would be my view as a potential employer that doesn't know you from the next girl). If that is the reason you gave for leaving your other job, I would think there is something you're trying to hide. First, the fact that they let you go for posting your resume and looking for other work is one of those 'they must have been looking for an excuse to let you go' situations. Which raises the question, 'why?' Then if you go on to say that you wrote the rebuttal to the negative review, they're going to wonder why you had a negative review in the first place. It's a slippery slope.
I'd say you were looking for different opportunities, and when the management found out, they let you go. Hopefully, that will suffice. Though, like I mentioned above, they may question why. Regardless, don't mention the review. If they want additional information, maybe say that lay-offs created a tense work environment and you no longer felt secure. Tell the truth, but keep it vague unless they press for more. Don't get into details if you don't have to.
If I were in your shoes, I would jump at that temp opportunity regardless of whether or not they'll give you the time off. With the gap in your work history and the way your last job ended, having something to fill in the space would be huge (and hopefully alleviate that awkward question). I'd cancel the trip in a heartbeat if it came down to it. That said, I'll keep my fingers crossed that it's not an issue!
Good luck!
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I agree with andrea, I've left most of my jobs and then a hostile work environment and a shady boss fired me for...unsatisfactory labels. it actually says that in my dismissal letter. For reals.
I know if varies from state to state but unless you use them as a reference the company can ONLY verify that you worked there during the time frame you said you did. They cannot tell a review, they cannot disclose how the employment ended, nothing.
I have to agree all around. Vague is your best bet and I'd try to replan the vacation.
Thanks all! I will use that route in my next interview (whenever that will be). That will definitely make me feel better about answering it.
I'll have to see what I can do about the trip when I know if I have to do something. Right now, I'll leave it as is, and hope they can let me go that week. If it does come down to it, I'll see what I'm able to do about rescheduling (the hotel package stuff is a free trip thing, so I'll have to call to see what I can do about that). I definitely want this temp job to add another thing on my resume more recent!!