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Tricky employer question

Axtman

Axtman

Supporting Member
Mar 3, 2008
2,572
4,708
Seattle, WA
#1
I got laid off (fired) from my job a few months ago and have been looking for a new job. One question that is bound to come up is "Why did you leave your last job?"

Well to be honest I don't really know. I know that I was not the world's best employee and that I made mistakes along the way....nothing egregious however. Heck there were employers there than even had a client fire them and got the firm into a lawsuit....and those employees are still working there.

When they let me go that said it was due to "performance" and did not get anymore specific than that.

I believe that a few people just plain did not like me and that they just wanted me to go away.

So how do I answer the question from my future employer when I do not know the answer myself? :confused:
 
#2
Just keep it brief and honest, and moving. Get past the sticky part quick. I forget if it was mutually agreed upon or not, but you might be like "the job wasn't working out so the boss and I decided I should move on to a position that is better for both of us. Here I am."
Or you could totally spin it off...
"I wanted my career to move in a different direction, and I guess my mental separation set up the conditions that led to my departure. But by contrast, the opportunity we're discussing seems to be made for me and I hope to eventually grow into a position of responsibility."
 
#3
Nice Ray. Mental separation.....I need to work that into a conversation today.

I would be honest and say you were let go because of undocumented performance issues. It may cost you another job down the line, but you made this bed.

-Mike
 
#4
Ideally, you should have pressed for more specifics when you left your last job. Your ability to understand why the fired you would be pretty useful in ensuring your future growth. And if they didn't have a good reason, then you know it for sure.

But that's (apparently) water under the bridge. Unless you want to contact the HR folks and ask them now. Couldn't hurt.

Ray's right with "Just keep it brief and honest, and moving". But I would also recommend that you don't answer the question with "I don't really know". As a hiring manager, to me that would be a "red flag".
 
#5
This seems relevant:

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#7
...Pretty much what everyone's posted +1. Be honest about it.

I'm certain that I got my job (that I start at soon) mainly because I was so calm and honest. They asked me about myself, why I wanted to leave my current job, where I see myself in ten years, greatest weaknesses, strengths, dislikes in a workplace...I kept it 100% honest, and I guarantee that's what set me apart from the other guys. How do I know? I had no prior experience for the position, basic math eludes me, I don't know how to read a blueprint, and I know nothing about the oil industry...The position was for a CNC opporator in an oil tool shop.
 
#9
How long were you at that job? If it was a very short time (a few months) then you don't really need to include it in your resume'.

Down-sizing and Right-sizing due to the economy are also good, generic answers.

Also - and I am completely unsure about this - I think your previous employer is not allowed to say anything that might prevent you from getting a job. Thus, if they were contacted all they could do was confirm that you did work there - not offer info about why you left or salary or other things... But again - I am not sure about that.
 
#10
tZer said:
Also - and I am completely unsure about this - I think your previous employer is not allowed to say anything that might prevent you from getting a job. Thus, if they were contacted all they could do was confirm that you did work there - not offer info about why you left or salary or other things... But again - I am not sure about that.
Click to expand...

that is interesting...why wouldn't they be allowed to discuss a former employer's performance? Isn't that what a reference is all about?
 
#11
stevetx19 said:
that is interesting...why wouldn't they be allowed to discuss a former employer's performance? Isn't that what a reference is all about?
Click to expand...

Like I said - I am not sure about that. But if I had to venture a guess, it's because if they let you go or you leave, they are not allowed to do anything to prevent you from getting another job. Giving a 'negative' review of you as opposed to simply verifying you worked there would be considered actionable.

And there is a big difference between 'references' and 'employment history'. That's why they are separate aspects of your resume'.

A prospective employer needs to know where you worked and for how long. This is one way for them to gauge whether you 'job-hop' or are the kind of employee who they can count on to stick around or if you seem to get hired and leave a lot for whatever reason.

They can ask the people you list as personal and professional references for their feelings about you as a prospective employee. But unless I am mistaken, they cannot ask your previous employer for anything other than verification that you were employed.

And actually - I think a prospective employer can ask anything they want but it's the previous employer who takes on the liability if they choose to answer in a way that could possibly prevent you from getting another job.

I think...
 
#12
Thanks for everyone's answers and help.

To answer some questions.

I worked at my previous job for almost 10 years. So I am hardly a job hopper and have to include this on my resume.

A month after I left I did invite one of the partners out to lunch. We did discuss my termination but again he was vague and kind of avoided the question. I know that I was not a model employee but there are still people there who have done very serious things......like get the company into a lawsuit. Another possibility for my termination is that they had a client that did not like me and in order to save face with the client, they let me go.

I can't really say it was due to the economy since I was the only one let go and was immediately replaced.

I know the legalities of what an employer can and can not say, but we all know it is a small world. I would not be surprised if employers called up their friend, my boss, and said, "Hey Bob! This Joe guy is interviewing with us. I see that he worked for you. He looks like a very competent and talented guy. Why did you fire him?"
 
#15
Axtman said:
I know that I was not a model employee but there are still people there who have done very serious things......like get the company into a lawsuit.
Click to expand...

You could always take this approach in your interview.......

"Yeah, I kind of suck now and then, but no one ever sued us on my account like some of the other guys I worked with there."

:D

-Mike
 
#16
Axtman said:
I know the legalities of what an employer can and can not say, but we all know it is a small world. I would not be surprised if employers called up their friend, my boss, and said, "Hey Bob! This Joe guy is interviewing with us. I see that he worked for you. He looks like a very competent and talented guy. Why did you fire him?"
Click to expand...

Exactly. Our HR folks go to great lengths to find out as much as possible about potential employees. The one thing that you want to be certain of is not getting caught in a lie. That would certainly disqualify you.

I think 10 yrs of acceptable service with a company ought to count for something. But you want to make sure that you potential employer knows you weren't terminated for any gross misconduct (suspicted of embezzlement, DUI in a company vehicle, stuff like that).
 
#17
LSquared said:
Exactly. Our HR folks go to great lengths to find out as much as possible about potential employees. The one thing that you want to be certain of is not getting caught in a lie. That would certainly disqualify you.

I think 10 yrs of acceptable service with a company ought to count for something. But you want to make sure that you potential employer knows you weren't terminated for any gross misconduct (suspicted of embezzlement, DUI in a company vehicle, stuff like that).
Click to expand...

That's why if you use Facebook, keep it private. Most HR departments at larger companies will take more interest in a Facebook profile over a background check. A background check doesn't show if you are a closet drunk that can't get up for work. Facebook does :)
 
#18
I don't know what to tell you.

On one hand you say you were fired/laid off with little or no reason given and on the other hand you feel that your employer is likely to breach ethics and go out of their way to both screw you out of a new job and risk legal repercussions...

Something just doesn't align here.

What do you think your previous employer is going to say about you? Sounds like you have some idea.
 
#19
Maybe I should use the terms "dismissed" or "let go"?

"Fired" implies some horrific event and a fired person is not eligible for unemployment benefits.

"Laid off" implies seasonal or cyclical work (construction, agriculture, etc.) with possibility of being rehired when business picks up. Laid off workers are eligible for unemployment benefits.

It is interesting that my state defines "fired" and "laid off", then uses those terms interchangeably. I guess even they are confused.

I was not "fired" because I did nothing criminally wrong or egregious. I was not "laid off" either since I will not be hired back. I am collecting unemployment benefits.
 

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