Many a times when we are searching for a job, we are unsure of how address any previous employment issues like termination or gaps on our resumes. We want to make ourselves look good, but we also don’t want to be caught up in a lie. No matter what led to your termination, it’s important to be honest and confident. You will also need to learn how to turn a negative into a positive so that your potential employers will look right past your previous termination.
Being terminated can happen to any of us, unfortunately. It can occur at any time and even when it’s not your fault. There could simply be a personality conflict between you and your supervisor. Your idea of what the job was going to be like might be different from what the employer had in mind. You could have simply made a mistake. It happens… and you’re not alone. Each year, workers are fired for cause or unjustly fired, but regardless of the circumstances, you’re left wondering: What should you do if you’ve been fired? Where do you go from there?
Getting fired
First and foremost, don’t beat yourself up. And don’t dwell on it. Instead, focus on what you are going to do next and how you are going to find another job. There are ways you can address this issue and put it in a neutral & mdash if not a positive & mdash light by focusing on your strengths and the direction you want to go.
Resumes and cover letters
You job-search communication and your approach must be positive. There is no need to mention that you were fired in your resume or cover letters unless the application asks specifically. If it does ask, acknowledge the termination aspect in your cover letter and make sure it addresses the proactive steps you are taking as a result. Be brief. Save the full explanation for a phone screening or in-person interview.
Applications
From the first application to your final interview, be honest but avoid being negative. The truth is bound to come up in one way or another. If the application specifically asks if you were fired, you need to answer yes. Lying on a job application may cause you to lose the opportunity and it may be considered grounds for dismissal at any time in future, which could potentially cost you future unemployment benefits.
Interview
This is where the topic of being let go and how to address it usually matters most. You will most likely be asked the question; “Why did you leave your last job?” Keep it short, keep it honest, and keep it moving. Explain why if it was as a company circumstance beyond your control (e.g. downsizing, merger etc). If it was as a result of something within your power or responsibility, tell your potential employer you learned a lesson and explain how you benefitted from the experience. Take the negative and turn it into positive. It’s not easy, but honesty is the best policy throughout the job-search process. If it wasn’t under your control (e.g. mass layoffs, company went out of business), mention it without sounding negative toward your former employer.
Remaining honest and confident in the job-search process after a wrongful termination is the only way to go. A prospective employer is not likely to believe you if you blame you termination solely on your former employer and don’t accept any personal responsibility. It’s never a good idea to say anything negative about your former employer in job searching no matter the circumstance. Once you acknowledge what went wrong at your last job, it’s important to communicate what lessons you learned from that experience. Talk about how you would confront the same situation if it happened today.For more help please visit...Wrongful Termination
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