Terminated While Interviewing Elsewhere
I was let go from my job last week, terminated without cause if that helps. I had another thread going, but basically my boss and I didn't see eye to eye with one another and he knew I didn't want to be in the industry for the rest of my life. He called it "a mutually parting"...I guess it helps him sleep at night.
I knew it was coming so I started the job search process about a month ago. I am in the final stages of the interview process with several other firms. Since they received my resume several weeks ago, it lists that I am "Current" in my old position. I have gone through multiple phone screens while still employed by my old firm.
My last day was Friday. Should I be forthright in telling my interviewers that I no longer work at my old firm?
It's probably not the best way to start off an interview. I will of course be asked the inevitable "so why do you want to leave firm X" for which reason I do not want to lie, but I am in the final stages with several opportunities and I don't want to completely suicide bomb my chances for these opportunities.
This is the scenario I don't want to get into:
Interviewer:
So why do you want to leave?
Me:
Well, I actually no longer work for my firm.
Interviewer:
....
Me:
It wasn't a good fit for me and it wasn't a role in which I could build the career path I wanted.
Interviewer:
Nice to meet you...
How would you guys handle the situation? Thanks
you can try asking your former boss if, for the sake of finding new employment, if it would be ok to say you still work there for the next 2 or 4 weeks or something. a bit unorthodox i think, but if it truly a "mutual parting" it should be ok
Sorry to hear that. However, that scenario is highly unlikely to happen. Always be truthful about whether you were laid off or not. But its important to spin it into a positive. Craft your story however you want to but make sure it comes across a smooth transition into why you want this role. Just explain clearly that I was laid off because the firm was in transition and a number of "positions" were let go including mine and that it was actually a good situation since atmosphere was no longer positive and was a matter of time; so now you have time and opportunity to focus in your next step and future. I'd imagine no further questions would come of the topic.
Good luck with the interview.
Seeing as you applied for the roles while at your current job, I'd say its cool to maintain the current on your resume and explain in an interview.
I would not mention it all. Act as if you are still employed there, especially since you really were fired (mutual or not), not laid off. Laid off = references, fired = akward. As of now, they most likely do not expect references from your "current" job.
I wouldnt say a word about it. I recently had a 3 hour interview within which I was told I was at the top of the pile because I'm currently employed. If it helps you sleep at night, just remember you started looking well before you were 'fired'.
However, I would use your best judgement if 3 weeks out from now you start new interview cycles - then I think you would be stretching it
Stretch it out, at my old firm I negotiated a three month stretch. Then again that was one hell of a negotiation to begin with. True story.
They're calling it a "mutual parting" yet they didn't give you an option to resign? That seems harsh.
This is a moral question nobody but you can answer..you know it is wrong to tell them you still work there when you don't, but you also know it will likely increase your chances of getting an offer. What part of that line you walk is up to you
I think the only person that can really answer what to do here is you. I was fired and candid about it and didn't have a problem finding another job. If it's a big company it's often easier to explain.
If you're feeling risky and consider fudging the truth just know that it could catch up with you one day. I.e. a coworker, or your old boss get hired by your new firm and the beans get spilled. Look at the head exec from google; lied on his résumé, they found out like 10 years later, fired. It's easy to explain being fired once but if you get fired multiple times that's a red flag...
But the good news is that you were able in the process. You can easily spin it that you were looking for a new role bc the job, etc.
or you could get your politician on and reply:
"So why do you want to leave?"
"the reason i want to join Your firm is...."
Definitely do this.
My company recently acquired another company so I was let goo with few other people. I already have few interview lined up.. I dont think it really makes any difference
Fired during lateral interviewing process from current firm (Originally Posted: 06/02/2012)
Hey guys - so i just got terminated from my current job and am in the process of interviewing with other firms. How do i go about telling the recruiters about this situation? I don't mind telling the truth. Here is the story, i told my manager that i didn't like the sector i was covering nor did i see myself in this area of banking as a career. I wanted to be honest and upfront so i asked for a transfer and asked the possibilty of working with a tech group... fast forward couple days, i was hit a termination notice and now im just not sure how i should address this.... please help. and i feel like i should have been labeled "laid-off" but on the official letter it says involuntary termination, how do i go about this. I'm actually pretty relieved this happened btw cause the group sucked and the pay was shitty
Wow this really sucks. I'm guessing you're an analyst?
yup looking back maybe i was too honest... but i just wanted to be upfront and tell the truth... i just dont see the point of doing something that i know is not my ultimate goal...
Damn that's tough. In your place, i would have been as diplomatic as possible and that might not have gotten you fired. Of course, getting fired is not the worst thing in this case so focus on recruiting. I would highlight to the recruiter that after working there for some time you didn't like the group. Maybe you don't have to say that you got fired, but if you do then just say you expressed your interest in other opportunities, but there were none that the past firm had to offer so getting fired was mutually the best outcome. Express that you take your career seriously and you want to do something that you'll excel in and enjoy. What have ppl in similar situations done?
Ooof. That's a tough one. Getting fired is a big red flag. I would raise it upfront -- in some sense, can you relate it honestly to having been out and looking? If part of why you were fired was because they knew you were unhappy and looking, that might help a little. But you'll just need to double down on technicals and charm to superimpress in interviews. And -- you can start right away! Always a plus heh heh
How often does this happen to those trying to lateral?
It doesn't. This guys unfortunately didn't have the benefit of a mentor or someone else with enough experience to advise him that it's not a good idea to tell your boss you don't want to work or him... because he'll more likely than not grant you your first wish without asking what your next 2 are.
Jesus, that's got to be one of the dumbest things I've ever heard. Did you consult with anyone to get their advice before doing that?! Not helpful, I know.
How do you tell them? You don't. Not unless you're asked and I can't imagine you would be. Obviously don't lie or be shady or splice the truth, that's a recipe for even worse disaster.
I would also not tell them the real reason you were terminated, because the complete absence of emotional intelligence is an even bigger ding than some of the more common reasons they don't hire someone.
If you haven't learned already... you need to be very careful and diplomatic and handle certain situations with kid gloves, this is one of them. The one you effed up already was the first one. Nothing you can do about that mis-step, you live and learn, just be careful on this recruiting front.
I feel for you. Try twisting HRs arm. What reason did they give you for termination?
Sorry to hear that. Bring it up in saying why you want to do tech banking.
Ipsum quae est omnis non explicabo molestiae qui. Sit molestiae quia non quas architecto nesciunt. Et provident culpa deserunt omnis eaque nisi sequi nam.
Ea tempora voluptatem occaecati non dolor labore culpa. Asperiores odit architecto non sit et. Assumenda aperiam recusandae molestiae enim fugiat non facere. Dolor excepturi qui aut sit vel cupiditate exercitationem enim. Omnis sint molestiae aut. Et fugit veniam distinctio blanditiis molestias voluptate repellendus.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Reiciendis id eveniet laborum. Laboriosam debitis cum maxime. Dolorem est fuga non ipsam sit. Quia vero corrupti inventore voluptatem facilis ut. Sunt itaque quos sit aut ex. Quam aliquam incidunt assumenda. Ut dolorem quae ipsa consequuntur eum et.
Necessitatibus nesciunt eius et quas quod qui. Nulla et reiciendis sunt qui.
Nihil tempora quis ratione necessitatibus ut necessitatibus molestiae. Ut recusandae laborum distinctio sint autem. Consequatur neque harum consequuntur et id est praesentium.