Say Left or let go?

I was let go with others at the end of my A1 year for “no cause” and given 6mths salary so it will appear that I have 18mths experience. When looking for work should I say I left after 18mths (needed a break) or say that I was let go? Thanks for advice.

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Right or wrong, saying you were let go will likely make them think you weren’t very good. If you’re still technically employed by the firm for 6 months then don’t say anything unless it comes up. Just say you needed a change. You won’t be able to play the burnout card if you are trying to lateral to a different bank. Very hard to explain to a bank that you lasted a year and had to take time off and left your job to do it unless your group is known to be the toughest on the street. If you’re going into corporate roles then that’s another story but still best to max your time employed as long as you’re not lying.

 

Agreed with what investment analyst said. I went through the same thing as you OP, the challenge I found was not necessarily getting interviews but navigating my story against others who didn’t have the baggage I did. They were sympathetic about being fired, I was honest and they forgot about it. I made it through processes but fit was an issue. So what I would say is try to industry distance yourself - frame your story that your group wasn’t doing too great it was a market issue, and that’s why the severance is that long. Or just flat out pretend to be employed. It’s not impossible but I found it harder to break back in tbh as well as find any jobs that were equally as good as my last.

 

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