How to Explain Being Fired From a Job During an Interview

How to Explain Being Fired From a Job During an Interview How to Explain Being Fired During an InterviewDont get burned during your first interview after getting fired.Your first job interview after being fired can be intimidating. You probably think you have no chance at getting the job. Who wants to hire someone that has just been canned? You are probably nervous about how to answer when the recruiter asks about it. Being asked about why you were terminated is one of the most challenging and intimidating interview questions. It is uncomfortable and awkward.First, dont panic and dont be embarrassed. People get fired every day. behauptung people go on to find new jobs, and you will find aelendher job too. Dont beat yourself up or doubt youll be getting a job after being fired. Remember all of the good you have accomplished in your career. You will (without a doubt) be asked to explain being fired so be prepared to discuss it during an interview. If you were the recruiter, wouldnt you want to know?Have no fear. You can answer the question. Your answer could even help you land the position if done correctly. So what is the best way to respond? These tips will help you maneuver through the dreaded question and help in getting a job after being fired.Honesty is the best policyThere is no easy way to explain to a prospective employer that you were fired from your previous job. The best approach is simple. Be honest. Tell the truth and be transparent with all of your answers. The worst way to handle the question is to lie about it. Lying is like a forest fire. It spreads. One lie will lead to another and another. There is a chance that your potential employer will find out about the lie, and no one will hire a dishonest candidate. Truth has a funny way of always coming out. Dont let it cause you to get fired again.While you should absolutely be honest when you explain being fired, you do not have to give every nitty-gritty detail about why you and your old boss did n ot get along or how your error cost the company billions of dollars. Keep your answer high level. Explain the circumstance briefly and move on. The last thing you want is to draw extra attention to the situation. You do not want to overemphasize your termination.Leave emotion outResist the urge to badmouth your previous employer. Even if you believe you were wronged, remaining objective and not placing blame are key. As much as it may pain you, stay positive and avoid saying anything negative about your previous boss or company. It will only make you look distasteful and defensive. The recruiter and hiring manager are more likely to side with your previous employer if you start to play the blame game. Start and end the conversation on a positive note. The employer is evaluating if you will be a positive plus-rechnen to his team. No one likes a whiner.Show that youve learnedTake responsibility in your part of the situation. There are always two sides to every story. Even if you feel as if you were the victim, your actions had something to do with it. Remain mature and professional by showing how you grew personally and professionally through this experience. By answering in this fashion, you will demonstrate strength, self-confidence, and character. The hiring manager will love to hear that you turned a negative situation into an asset.Nobody is perfect. Not you, not the recruiter, and not a single employee at the prospective company you are interviewing with. Perhaps even one (or several) of the people you talk to during the hiring process have been fired in the past. The hiring manager does not expect you to be perfect. He is going to realize that you have made mistakes. The important part is that you have learned from them. Share how much you have grown since being terminated and how you will approach similar situations in the future. Use the learning experience as an advantage for your next job.Practice makes perfectIf you are at all nervous about answering questions on your termination or explain being fired, the best thing you can do for yourself is to practice what you will say. Getting fired is an emotional experience, and it may take some practice to talk about it openly and objectively. Write down your thoughts. Practice in front of a mirror or even videotape yourself. Ask someone to give you a mock interview. This will help prepare you for the real thing. Watch your body language and confidence level. Keep practicing until you like what you see.Remember that people get fired all of the time. It does not mean you are a bad employee, and your interviewer will not think poorly of you. Nor does it mean youre never getting a job after being fired. Dont make a big deal out of it. Remember that you are your worst critic. No one is going to judge you for being fired. In fact, most workers will be fired or let go at some point in their career.Answer the question with confidence. Chalk it up as a learning experience. Show the recruiter w ho you are and what you have to offer. You are a strong candidate. Your termination was merely a speed bump in your career path. Follow these tips and strategies outlined above, and then walk out with your head held high. Focus on the future The past is behind you.Want more help preparing for your next interview? Check out our sister site, TopInterview.Related Articles