What to do if you’re terminated - poor fit and poor supervisor.

Anonymous

November 1,2022 at 6:27PM UTC

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What to do if you’re terminated - poor fit and poor supervisor.

I have been in my role for about 5 months. It has been a bad fit since the start. They don’t have me doing what I was hired to do. My supervisor is a supreme micromanager who has no grace for even the smallest of mis-steps. For example putting “good morning” instead of “good afternoon” on an email. She has shared that she doesn’t feel she can trust me and is speaking to HR about moving from a verbal warning to termination.

How do I explain as I interview moving forward that I was fired? Will this keep me from ever getting another role?

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AnonymousNovember 1,2022 at 7:41PM UTC
You say that the job was not what you were hired for and turned out not to be a fit.
Carol WeberNovember 3,2022 at 12:28PM UTC
Did you get a 90-day review? Did they give you a performance improvement plan? Even if it’s not what you were hired for, can you/are you doing the work on time, etc.? Talk to HR about it and voice your concerns and figure out what you can do to improve things on your side. TBH I’m in a similar position but with recession very possibly around the corner I’m coming up with as many solutions as I can to keep my job. And they made an investment in me, I want them to feel like it paid off.
AnonymousNovember 1,2022 at 11:58PM UTC
Something is missing in your narrative. There’s a big gap to bridge between an email misstep and being threatened with termination. Are you sure there’s not more going on here? She’s communicating that she doesn’t trust you as well? I’m not sure the full story is reflected in this post.
Applying the lens of self awareness is never fun, especially when you’re one of the two major players in this kind of situation.
While uncomfortable, please try to take a brutally honest look at the demise of this work relationship so it can be avoided in the future.
AnonymousNovember 2,2022 at 6:06PM UTC
It is a new office and my boss is under great stress. I think that is why she also micromanages things. She does not like looking poor publicly, which is why she does not allow for mistakes. I agree that it is quite the jump as well. This is causing me quite a lot of distress.
AnonymousNovember 3,2022 at 12:13PM UTC
Just say it didn't work out and you moved on.
Laura BairNovember 3,2022 at 1:19PM UTC
If you aren't comfortable with just saying that you weren't a good fit, you could just tell the truth.
When you are hired on in a new position and begin to make new "work buddies" the truth will likely come out as to why you left your previous job. If that truth gets back to the person who hired you, it could make you look like a fibber in their eyes.
IMO, honesty is the best policy.
AnonymousNovember 3,2022 at 3:11PM UTC
The second and third sentence are all you need to say. No need to even mention the supervisor. Say it was the culture that didn't agree with you. And you can always say that leaving was mutually agreed.
As an interviewer, I respect those who admit a company was not a good fit and left soon after. That's far better than wasting my time, training and resources on a recent hire who also feels it is not a good fit.
AnonymousNovember 3,2022 at 4:11PM UTC
I would just say the job was not a good fit and on that organization there is no other movement available
AnonymousNovember 3,2022 at 9:06PM UTC
I would say it wasn’t a good fit, because as others have mentioned, some version of the details may eventually surface at your next job. You will want to carefully document your “side” of things before you leave, if possible, in case you can file for unemployment. Keep your chin up and don’t let one bad situation make you bitter. Finally, think about reaching out to the Employee Assistance Program if they have one. They can help you process all this.
Cockson68November 4,2022 at 10:40PM UTC
Have you documented each and every event?
Evidence which can be provided to support your case is vital if termination is to be avoided.
Worst scenario: Can you obtain reference from previous employer and omit this period?
It is a short enough gap that will not generate questions.
Good luck.