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I was employed while job hunting.

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Anonymous

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I was employed while job hunting.

I have completed the interview process at one company and am waiting on an offer (or not, however it goes). Since completing the interview process this past Tuesday, I was let go from my current job. I know it’s going to come up in the background check, so what should I say to the recruiter if they call with an offer? I was thinking: “I can start on Monday March 11, as, due to unforeseen circumstances, I was laid off on March 1.”

Thoughts?

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  1. Anonymous

    Just be honest if you get the offer. Layoffs are common now. They will understand. They will probably be glad to have you sooner. Just make sure you explain what you said here, that on March 1 you found out you were laid off.

    Good luck!

  2. Anonymous

    Thanks! My fingers are crossed!

  3. Anonymous

    You don’t have to explain what happened. If you get an offer, and you accept let them know you can start earlier. References to an HR dept use the word “terminate” as the position ended. They shouldn’t go into any detail. But if you get an offer that’s where you can mention starting earlier. You will be just fine. Been there and it didn’t hurt me that I was laid off. Good luck!

  4. Anonymous

    Thank you! I think that’s how I’m going to phrase it.

  5. Anonymous

    I would not disclose this. Let it be, if you get an offer and have to list employment just check the box that says present employer on the form and they will not check that company, or if you were a part of a larger group that was let go you can disclose and say your job search was spurred on by the company upcoming reductions.

  6. Anonymous

    I was thinking to get ahead of employment verifications/background checks so they weren’t surprised when it says my last day was 3/1.

  7. Anonymous

    Recruiter here. I would NOT check the box that says current employer if that is not the case.

    She does not have to disclose that she was let go during the process, but lying by checking that box after it wasn't true isn't the way to go. At my company, we have passed on people who weren't honest about employment dates--it's about integrity. Also, our background checks include current employment, so not sure where you got the idea that if it is your current employer, they won't check--we ABSOLUTELY do. If you said you were a Director of Ops from X-date to X-date, I am going to verify that you held that title between those dates. We use Checkr and this is all done for us based on the package we pick.

  8. Megan

    I wouldn’t say anything. That’s not even a resume gap or a red flag if it’s less than 2 weeks! You should be just fine in my opinion. People with 6 months gaps will get questions.

  9. Anonymous

    Op here: I was thinking that, but when they verify, it will say my last day was 3/1, so I don’t want the new employer to be blindsided by that when I said I was employed, you know?

  10. Debbie Cree

    I had that happen to me. I gave notice and they decided to let me go. My next employer was happy to have me start sooner.

  11. Anonymous

    You don't have to tell them anything. Besides a two week gap is nothing. If you can manage it, I would take the two weeks to decompress, relax, and focus on the new job.

    Even though you want to jump right back into work, a small break after a bad situation is best.

  12. Anonymous

    Recruiter here….say nothing.

  13. Katherine "Kate" Parramore

    Thank you!

  14. Anonymous

    You have nothing to worry about. When you applied and were interviewing you were employed.

    It's really up to you what you tell them. When they make an offer and if you are ready to start right away then go ahead and tell them you were just a part of x employers last round and are happy to start immediately.

  15. carolina girl

    Its a job NOT a jail sentence! You HAVE the right to find a better job. If you’re asked , just say you were looking for a career with better opportunities.

  16. Orlagh Costello

    Don't bother mentioning that. Would you not just put the months of employment on a resume anyway? Not to mention, for the rest of the world, a 2 week break/ holiday is normal enough

  17. Anonymous

    Don't say anything. It's not a need to know for them. If or when they hire you, they hire you off on how well you interviewed and how great of a fit you are for the position you interviewed for.

  18. Shelly Katzeff

    If this is something that MIGHT come up, you must be honest. I would simply say that you were unexpectedly laid off and are ready to start your new adventure immediately.

  19. LORI-ANN BURLINGAME

    It appears that your current employer (or manager) was upset that you were looking for another job. (how did they find out?) -- and decided to help you out the door. It also sounds like someone's ego was bruised.

    During your job search activities, did you neglect your responsibilities at your current employer?

    Honesty is always the best policy. It shows that you have integrity and are trustworthy. Be honest with the recruiter.

    Wishing you the best!

  20. Anonymous

    I disagree. You do not need to disclose this to your new employer. Just explain to them that you are available to start on the 11th.

  21. Anonymous

    Maybe .. or maybe the company is doing a series of layoffs/reduction in workforce (as is happening in many tech companies) and this person was caught up in a larger layoff sweep. You're making unwarranted assumptions about the OP's integrity and the former manager's motivations. There's no reason to volunteer this information at all as it should have no bearing on the job offer.

  22. Katherine "Kate" Parramore

    Thanks for this reply -- exactly my points! Lori's reply is neither helpful nor kind/supportive.

    An interview is a marketing pitch from the company to you and you to the company. Does the company disclose it pays below market? or has a turnover rate of XXX -- of course not! you have to dig for that info yourself

    Likewise her skills as a potential new hire are ALL she needs to be providing (selling) NOT every...single... micro...detail of her life.

  23. Katherine "Kate" Parramore

    Lori, she never said anything that indicated that her employer knew that she was looking, so your speculation as to the cause of her being laid off is just that - speculation.

    Also, whereas no one would ever question yours, my (or most people's) integrity you are also implying that she is "not" that if she doesn't cough up this info.

    Neither of these are helpful to the poster -- nor is the implication that (because she "may have neglected her duties") that she somehow "provoked" this layoff

    All of this sounds like a mother scolding a child. I invite you to reflect on this response.

  24. Anonymous

    Yes!!! No need to tell them you were laid off. If they ask, just explain that you are very excited and available to start on the 11th. If they ask if you need to provide a two-week notice, you can say that your assignment ended with your previous employer, so you do not need to work out a two week notice.

  25. KathyAnn Krajcik

    I've been laid off and gone through job searches. Being laid off is never a problem. It's very common today.

  26. Anonymous

    say nothing , unless they ask , why would they even know . when you have a job you NEVER have them call it , it would cause you to lose your job ,,, i am VERY confused !!! just let them know you are ready to go

  27. Anonymous

    Exactly never offer information or anything until asked

  28. Anonymous

    This recently happened to me. Interviewed Tuesday got let go Thursday then an offer the following week. Im not telling anything unless asked.

  29. Bosslady121653

    I personally wouldn't volunteer anything unless I was specifically asked about it. Your references will be an important resource to you. I wish you wonderful opportunities in your future endeavors. It would seem that you have great discernment.

  30. Katherine "Kate" Parramore

    You have no need (nor is it a good idea) to volunteer this info. A layoff is not like being fired for cause. You ARE however eligible for unemployment benefits, so hop on it!

  31. Anonymous

    Say absolutely nothing. Simply offer "I can start on Monday, March 11" and leave it at that. If they do surface that you were laid off recently from a background check and they directly ask you about it just state the company has been in the process of layoffs (or a RIF) and this happened after your interview. But offer nothing unless they directly ask you.

  32. Anonymous

    This is your answer!

  33. LORI-ANN BURLINGAME

    What you are suggestions is called "Omissions." Omissions -- is when you do not ask a specific questions, the other party does not have to answer or volunteer any information. Although omissions is used by many people (attorneys, the police, etc.) it is not a good way to build trust.

    Honesty is always the best policy. If she has done nothing wrong -- why is she ashamed of being laid off? In addition, she was actively looking for another job and was not happy there. Her ego was bruished, when the company took the first step and "beat her to the punch."

  34. Anonymous

    When companies use 3rd party background check companies they're typically looking for general accuracy, not exact dates, there is usually a buffer of a couple months from the start and end date. I wouldn't worry.

  35. Anonymous

    OP here: they offered me the job this morning, and didn’t even bat an eye when I told them I was available to start immediately:) thanks all!

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