Terminated - Unable to make enough necessary changes over a 30-day period

12 Comments

1. AnonymousAugust 17,2024 at 12:45PM UTC

   “There was extensive restructuring at the company with a number of people leaving. I was held on a month longer than the others.”

2. BarbaraAugust 17,2024 at 3:31PM UTC

   Exactly!

3. AnonymousAugust 17,2024 at 1:01PM UTC

   I was terminated last month, so I understand. I was told it was due to Performance but never was told there was a problem with my Performance and never missed any metrics, 7 years down the drain. I suspect it was my new boss just didn't like me. Any way I find myself in the same situation how to explain.

   1. On the application unless there is a section asking for an explanation, just give the dates you worked there.

   2. If it ask for a reason, state terminated or job ended.

   3. If the application asks why you were terminated, state briefly decreased staff led to increased workload unable to perform the duties of x number of people. Be brief.

   4. The interview is the time to explain, then let them know about the increased workload highlight that you attempted to do it all, but now realize that a better way to handle the situation was to be clear that the workload of x number of people was to much and ask for assistance. This gives the prospective employer a positive spin shows that you learned from the experience and you are honest.

   Best wishes on your job search!

4. AnonymousAugust 17,2024 at 1:51PM UTC

   These are good strategies for addressing why the OP left, but for 3.) I want to add that the OP should phrase this in a way that doesn't disparage the employer because companies interviewing you do not like it when you do that. State that there was a shift in responsibilities that did not align with your expected duties and career path, so she and the company parted ways. To hint that the company was "out to get you" or that they were so disorganized that they just dumped work on you without any training or instruction will signal that the OP might have been the problem. Interviews are where you must remain positive in answering every question. For the questions where you are asked to describe something where you failed, make sure to include what you learned from the experience and what you put in place to ensure it didn't happen again. Think of the old saying that every cloud has a silver lining, and focus your answers on the silver lining. Your explanation in 4.) gives an excellent example of how the OP might phrase it.

5. AnonymousAugust 17,2024 at 3:00PM UTC

   Former Recruiter and current Director of Human Resources here…

   And NOO to the above advice!!!

   2- Don’t say you were “terminated” call it a layoff.

   3- Do NOT give that reason AT All. Just say it was a company wide reduction in workforce.

   4- Don’t say ANY OF THAT!

   Seriously, bad advice. Doing any of the above will not help you; I wouldn’t call you back for a second interview with those explanations.

6. LindaAugust 17,2024 at 1:19PM UTC

   Companies/people are crazy - what about being hired, after leaving a job and getting fired - after 2 weeks - for not learning the technology fast enough!!???? This is crazy - I didn't even get a chance to fail.

7. AnonymousAugust 17,2024 at 3:30PM UTC

   You’ve been spared. Consider if you’d stayed and continued to be treated like you were always behind. Yuck. That’s no fun. Collect your unemployment, start your job search and don’t include this job on your resume. Move on.

8. AnonymousAugust 17,2024 at 3:04PM UTC

   You only show growth on your resume. In an interview, simply say the company was struggling and resources were slashed. We simply couldn't keep up. Leadership understood the strain but did not have the financial strength to reorg and hire. It was rough.

   Do not make it about you and your propensity to do it all. It will fall flat.

9. JB09718August 19,2024 at 2:24AM UTC

   This! State facts, avoid emotional responses.

10. AnonymousAugust 17,2024 at 3:12PM UTC

    You might not want to include all of that. Without knowing you, it might sound dysfunctional.

11. AnonymousAugust 18,2024 at 5:29PM UTC

    I’m also an only child and you’ve given me an idea if i ever interview again. “Being an only child I made an extra effort to learn about teamwork.”

12. AnonymousAugust 19,2024 at 3:34AM UTC

    You don't have to be that direct in an interview answer. You could just say you're looking for a change or looking to increase your skill in XYZ (that matches the new company or job title).

    You could say the company went through mass layoffs/ reorganization and you're looking for a company with more security which is why you were impressed by what they do.

    Personally, I wouldn't be too direct unless you really know the people. They want to see how you fit at their company- not your life story. If you want to be direct, you could add that when the company had layoffs, you were the [last] in the department to handle key priorities [ which is something you're proud of that you can work under pressure and triage tasks], but you're looking for work with more stability.

    When I was laid off a while ago, I tested out interview answers. Some were very honest and some were more polished without personal detail. The polished ones got me the 2nd interview. That's my lens.

    Good luck!