Job Search: How to Explain Getting Fired to a Potential Employer was originally published on Ivy Exec.
Discussing your termination during a job search can be stressful and quite intimidating. You may worry that no employer wants to hire you after another company lets you go. The thought of explaining the situation may also make you shy away from applying for new positions.
Regaining your confidence after getting fired may take time, but it doesn’t have to stop your job search. Since interviewers will likely discuss this topic, knowing what to expect and preparing adequately is essential. Here are some pointers to help you explain termination.
✔ Be Honest
It’s tempting to lie about the reason for getting fired, especially due to performance issues. There isn’t an easy way to say you didn’t meet some expectations, but the worst thing you can do is lie. If you fail to tell the truth, your potential employer might find out and remove you from the pool of potential candidates.
Protect your integrity by being truthful about why you lost your job. Share the most important details without overexplaining them. This will prevent you from blaming other parties and allow the interviewer to form their opinion on the matter.
✔Avoid Being Emotional
Talking about your termination can trigger negative emotions. It’s easy to get carried away and deviate from the primary conversation.
When preparing for an interview, try to come to terms with the job loss. Understand why your boss let you go and take time to self-reflect. This way, you can easily manage your emotions when discussing the matter with a potential employer.
Badmouthing your previous employer can hurt your chances of landing a job. Avoid saying negative things about them even if you believe they were wrong. Revealing your bad experiences to a recruiter might make them think you love whining, which is a wrong first impression.
If you’re unsure how an explanation for getting fired sounds, try telling it to a friend. After that, ask them what they gathered from your response and determine if that’s what you want to communicate to potential employers.
✔ Accept Your Responsibility
Accountability is a vital skill in any employee. Recruiters look for candidates who recognize their mistakes and work toward self-improvement. If you want to impress a potential employer after getting fired, ensure you accept responsibility.
Explain how specific actions affected your relationship with the employer, causing you to lose the job. Doing this will display courage, maturity, and responsibility. It shows that you realize the impact of your actions and that you are ready for a fresh start.
✔ Outline the Lessons Learned
Getting fired gives you the chance to reflect on your conduct and performance. It allows you to reevaluate your career goals and the steps you must take to achieve them. When discussing a prior termination with a potential employer, highlight what you learned.
For example, if you were fired for not being a team player, you can talk about the importance of building relationships with colleagues. Focus on the steps you’ve taken to be a better workmate and employee. Such may include working on your communication skills and learning to preserve boundaries.
Another way to show growth when explaining getting fired is to discuss how you would handle things differently. Share your fresh perspective on the matter leading to your termination. After that, highlight how you would avoid making such mistakes in the future. It’s critical that recruiters notice your commitment to personal development.
✔ Know the Limits to What You Can Discuss
While honesty is critical, avoiding oversharing the reasons for getting fired is vital. You want to avoid portraying yourself in a highly negative light. At the same time, some situations, like signing a non-disclosure agreement, will limit the information you can provide during an interview.
Knowing what you can share about your termination will help you provide accurate information. It also protects you from penalties and lawsuits from your previous employer.
A recruiter can contact your former boss to find out why they fired you. They may also take this step to verify the details you provided about the events leading to the termination. You want your explanation to match the one your former boss might provide.
One way to ensure the details align is by checking any documents provided during termination. For example, you can read your termination letter or notice email. Likewise, try to remember the explanation given during the termination meeting.
✔ Highlight Your Skills
Potential employers may need reassurance that you are a good fit for their company. If a firm lets you go, it’s normal for other recruiters to have doubts.
Don’t let negative experiences overshadow your skills and expertise during an interview. You want the primary focus to be the value you can add to the company despite your work history.
Express your interest in the job position and sell your skills. Ensure the transition from the discussion about the termination to your expertise is smooth. This measure will prevent the recruiter from thinking that you are avoiding the topic. It also allows you to create a positive image, which can be helpful during candidate selection.
✔Tips to Help You Navigate Interviews After Getting Fired
It’s common to feel anxious when attending interviews after losing your job. You can bounce back if you focus on your strengths and correct past mistakes.
Before attending interviews, deal with negative emotions by talking to a counselor or loved one. This will help you release pent-up feelings, making it easier to communicate with potential employers.
Here are other helpful tips to navigate interviews after losing your job:
- Take a self-improvement course
- Use terms like ‘laid off’ or ‘let go’ instead of ‘fired’
- Ask for a letter of recommendation from your former boss
- Get references from your professional network
Your first impression can influence a potential employer’s thoughts about your prior termination. Be punctual during interviews and ensure professionalism. Additionally, be confident about your achievements so your failures don’t overshadow them.
✔ Don’t Let Getting Fired Stop Your Career
Losing your job is devastating and may cause you to doubt yourself. However, it doesn’t have to end or derail your career. Take accountability for your mistakes and enhance your skills to be competitive. Moreover, understand each factor that led to the termination and apply the discussed tips to land a new job.
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