What do you tell an interviewer...

How can you explain to an interviewer about you being fired from a previous job, without sounding like the asshole and them not considering you for the position??
Lie or not to lie, is the question....


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Submitted by madashell on Wed, 02/22/2006 - 21:39.

I was at my previous job for only 2 months before they fired me for getting ill. I had an interview today and didn't even have that job on my resume. I just found out I got this one and start tomorrow. Ya have to do, what ya have to you.

I worked with a woman who pretended to give 2 weeks notice at her last job, turned out she was actually fired at that job for another stupid reason. It's called survival, she had to do what she had to do. She turned out to be a very nice person, and we are still friends....

Submitted by wolfietherat on Wed, 02/22/2006 - 21:49.

I was fired when I worked at a placement agency. I had applied for another position, the other company called my current boss and she flipped out and fired me. It was a shock at first I didn't know what to say when I interviewed. One place, as soon as I said I was let go, the interview ended. I guess it was a good thing, I wouldn't want to work for someone that unreasonable, he didn't even wait for an explaination. Where I am working now, when they asked why I left my last job, I said "I was let go." There was a pause then I added my explaination about the guy calling my current boss and one of the interviewers said, "well, I have had bosses like that, it happens." I was relieved and was offered the job, I have been here 7 OK years. Nice place but I am going nowhere.

As long as you were not fired for gross negligence or theft or shooting up the place, most screw-ups are forgiveable, forgive yourself first though so you have a clear conscience.

Submitted by Evil_luna on Thu, 02/23/2006 - 05:43.

It depends what you were fired for. If they ask then you should be honest but just be economical with the truth. Only give them the absolute minimum amount of info. Most places accept that things like that happen, and as long as you werent doig anything illegal then I wouldnt worry...

Submitted by Trampmajor on Thu, 02/23/2006 - 09:58.

Got to spin what you can of the truth with what you need to fabricate. That whole, 'I wasn't happy and the company found out I was applying for other positions, so they let me go', looks like a damn good bet. Otherwise you could try, 'it's none of your fucking business shithead!' But I'm swinging towards the former.