How do you conduct yourself if you have been laid off/fired from you previous job and have been looking for new one for 3 months.

38 Comments

1. Heather CutlerFebruary 3,2022 at 5:52PM UTC

   I can't urge enough caution in managing yourself and how you share this information. Please avoid doing a data dump with a potential employer, it sounds like its almost a compulsion to explain in painstaking detail what happened. Frankly, I don't think most employers are going to care. You seem like you want to answer a series of unasked questions about your departure.

   Some options, only if you're asked:

   -there was a mutual decision to parts way

   -I'm looking for new opportunities

   -after an employer that better aligns with my long-terms goals

   -I'm drawn to your corporate initiatives around diversity, equity, and inclusion

   -I've been interested in your company and your production of widgets

   I've found that asking about previous employers is a perfunctory, check the box type exercise. So do the best you can to script an answer ahead of time and stay on point!

   Best of luck!

2. Monique Webb-NeubleFebruary 5,2022 at 1:40PM UTC

   Great advice , love this thread .

3. Sabrina CortesFebruary 3,2022 at 6:45PM UTC

   I wouldn't mention anything unless it comes up, and if it does, never talk down about your manager or the company. This automatically puts you in a bad light with your prospective employer. However, I really like some of the suggestions that Heather mentioned. They are all great responses to that question!

   As far as the 3-month gap, I'm a Resume Writer, and I can tell you that any gap less than 12 months is "normal." You could minimize the employment gap by listing the years of employment (IE 2019 - 2021) vs. listing the months and year (IE Jun 2019 - Nov 2021).

   Please don't hesitate to reach out and feel free to take a look at my LinkedIn profile (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinacortes-writewithsabrina/).

   I hope this helps!

4. Stacey DarlingFebruary 3,2022 at 7:56PM UTC

   When I was in that position myself a few years ago, I simply stated that my previous employer downsized. Period. Some other really great suggestions from previous posters too! Best of luck!!

5. Sue Gordon- retired Career CoachFebruary 3,2022 at 8:49PM UTC

   How you address the firing depends entirely on the nature of the firing. You do acknowledge being let go- if it was financial, then no worries- you are victim of downsizing, happens (sadly) all of the time. "My position was eliminated for financial restructruing."

   If it was "for cause" - you failed to do your job, say, then owning it is an option. "My position was terminated. Here's what I learned from the experience...." with some degree of humility but offering strengths on what you've learned and have to offer the new organization. In the unlikely event they don't ask, then don't tell and avoid the whole thing!

   What you don't do, no matter how tempting and cathartic it might feel, is to complain about that employer and blame others. That never sits well, even if you feel justified in doing so.

   Finally, no they won't automatically assume you were fired. This is the year of the Great Resignation afterall. People leave jobs for work life balance, family caregiving, or just needing a break. So, first, if they don't ask, don't tell. Then be honest but positive. It's all about what you've learned.

   Just don't lie. If they were to find out, you could be let go, again.

6. AnonymousFebruary 5,2022 at 1:09PM UTC

   I left 3 positions last year. Most of the time no one asked verbally but 1 or 3 asked on their application. For my first job I quit last year I stated that I was seeking remote work which was technically true, I put the reason for quitting the other 2 jobs as seeking different career arenas.

7. AnonymousFebruary 5,2022 at 1:19PM UTC

   I would tell them honestly. I got retrenched from my last job and during the interview, I was asked why I left. It wasn't my fault though, so just be honest

8. Tiana MumfordFebruary 5,2022 at 1:33PM UTC

   Good day think of the stay at home moms who have to go back into the field after 5-10 years. If they get blessed so can you we cannot control what the people think . People goals shift all the time . If it’s for you nothing can stop you not time nor people . Stay positive

9. rgstaffing@bellsouth.netFebruary 5,2022 at 1:34PM UTC

   This can be a difficult but important piece in the interview and I have liked many of the responses. If you have been fired ( not laid off or RIFed, for two or more positions, then it is time to do some self reflection.

   I believe brief honesty is the best policy because if in checking your references the question is asked are you eligible for re-hire and the answer is no, you will have some splaining to do.

10. GirlBossanova934974February 5,2022 at 2:00PM UTC

    We are but what? Barely 2 years from a time when millions were laid off for several months in the time of national business shutdown? And might I add that the way it was handled by many companies led to a wave of resignations shortly thereafter. As such this question should come up less but if it does, the answer should be that the company was facing financial pressures and had to reduce its headcount.

11. AnonymousFebruary 5,2022 at 2:33PM UTC

    I sort of disagree. in my line of work, "gaps" are critical...before Covid and now. I am asked about any gap > 4 weeks; I have to provide an explanation. I work in healthcare

12. AnonymousFebruary 5,2022 at 2:06PM UTC

    Answer that it was a layoff due to reorganization downsizing. If you were let go at will as opposed to misconduct then it's the truth. Make it sound positive and immediately turn the subject toward what you accomplished since.

13. AnonymousFebruary 5,2022 at 2:24PM UTC

    Positive spin, if anyone asks, just say you are looking for a position with more opportunities to move forward. And ask them a question about the position you are applying for..

14. AnonymousFebruary 5,2022 at 2:37PM UTC

    I love this conversation. I am presently in this exact situation where I was let go. First, it was in December that I leave and signed an NDA.

    Then they asked me to stay until next Friday. There were a lot of factors that played into it.

    I was hired as a full time employee but then we acquired new management and a Maternity leave decided to come back and that was part of it, but in general, we agreed I was just not the right fit.

    It really wasn't the position as described to me. I struggle with this question all the time in interviews and its very frustrating. You were as x place for 7 years-Y place another seven years, and now this only for 9 months?

    Well, x place was after the crisis of 2008, y place was because of changes in the department. Z place was because of Covid, and now here I am again.

    I am surprised too that employers still ask these ludicrous questions in the times we are living in. I am an EA in finance and this happens ALL THE TIME in my industry. What really gets under my skin is that I am flooded with phone calls from recruiters for contract work that has litlle or no potential to convert to permanent.

    And many of these recruiters are extremely agressive at trying to persuade me to agree to a RTR and if they like me, take the job.

    They aren't looking out for me- my need for benefits with pre-exsisting health conditions- nothing that does makes me incompotent or functional but important I maintain, a 401K,they are only looking out for their own bread and butter and I am sorry if I offend any recruiters here, but its quite frankly how I feel.

    I have been doing what I do for 20 years. No, I don't want a contract job. I am better than that. If anyone knows of any recruiters that are serious about helping people finding full time work, I would appreciate any advice. I've tried everything from applying to companies directly, and they just 9 times out of 10 go with the internal candidate because its cheaper for them.

    I have awesome references, including my soon to end position who have all agreed to be one for me. Anyone who could shed some light on why this the process would be helpful. I have never worked as a contracted worker where the assignment lasted more than three months before it became permanent.

    But some of these people I am dealing with expect me to agree to a year of contract work with no future in sight and I can't do that.

15. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistFebruary 5,2022 at 7:50PM UTC

    You do know that even if you say you will stay on a contract for a year, if you get a permanent job you can leave.

16. Michele Christine PardonFebruary 5,2022 at 11:56PM UTC

    But how can you interview when you are in a contract job? Its impossible to do zoom when you are on a job even

17. AnonymousFebruary 6,2022 at 1:09AM UTC

    If it's a contract job the employer may be flexible with the hours. Also, you can take the time off for an appointment. Early, or late, lunch (and make it an extended lunch). Notify the employer you will be late to work or need to leave early.

18. AnonymousFebruary 6,2022 at 1:03AM UTC

    In the same boat as you. Worked over 20 years in various areas of the supply chain in different types of manufacturing. 7 months ago was laid off from my last job due to "COVID" but the truth is the employer moved production to another facility outside the country and shut the facility down. COVID accelerated the move. I have reviewed over 400 positions, applied to almost 200, average 1.4 interviews each week since I was laid off, and taken many assessment tests. Still not hired. I have the same experience with recruiters. I have been ghosted. Just had one this last Friday, I provided my background, resume, was prepped and waiting for by video appointed at 2:15p, was on video, no call. Waited on video for 10 minutes and then called her. She stated she didn't marked the calendar but also stated that she already submitted 5 people for the position and would I mostly likely would not be picked. Instead she had other positions she wanted to submit me for, I asked to about them, and she took a few minutes to find them. She was not prepared. Claim she did not have my resume, I stated I did upload it in the website as instructed, but I still sent her another one. She had to read it. She didn't ask what I was looking for, what are goals, what I courses taking currently, or evening my pay range. She just threw out what she found in those few minutes. I have taken every webinar on resume, cover letter formats and writing, building and selling my "brand", prepping for interviews, background checks, understanding ATS, what technologies to use in job, searching, and I can keep going. Why can't the recruiters be held responsible after they have offered the opportunity to interview? Not all of us are part of the

    "Great resignation" and our careers are far from over. We are not quitters in entry level manufacturer positions or in the leisure business.

    Sorry venting, ...

    and for the run on sentences.

19. rgstaffing@bellsouth.netFebruary 6,2022 at 10:00PM UTC

    I would answer the first question about your tenure that you have had 3 jobs in 17 years and that is extraordinary and you are looking for a career home! You have to be prepared that companies are going to ask you why you left this last one.

    As I celebrate 43 years of placing candidates such as yourself, I will tell you that the personality is at least 50% of what results in an offer. I placed a contract worker who was a Harvard MBA with Newell Rubbermaid and that is when i discovered that there is a whole sub-culture of contract employment.

    I do sense a lot of anger or at least frustration and I understand why but possibly that is coming out in your interviews. And of course, it never helps to devalue and trash the industry of recruiters.

    I do not know what city you live in. Many times recently when I have lost a placement, the company tells me they have gone with an internal candidate. I do not always believe them. It is just a much less complicated way of telling a candidate or me, the recruiter, that they are not getting the job. Don't assume it is cheaper or that they even went with the internal. Watch your words because it reflects an attitude. I am also wondering how you are finding your staffing services/recruiters in your city.

20. Marina Z.February 5,2022 at 3:27PM UTC

    I think it’s important to be honest but I also don’t think you have to give up everything; clearly it wasn’t a fit and I would stick with that explanation. If you have references, that will help. I was laid off in the middle of COVID and despite what everyone says about jobs being everywhere, THE job is not. Finding recruiters you resonate with is very helpful (and can be challenging too).

21. AnonymousFebruary 5,2022 at 3:52PM UTC

    I am in education, and for safeguarding, every gap has to be explained. We do not assume the worst: people leave work to care for elderly relatives, or to relocate or to run their own businesses. However, we also have to ask for a reference from the previous employer so people have to be honest. As long as the lay off was for financial reasons rather than something else, it is usually not a problem.

22. AnonymousFebruary 5,2022 at 4:07PM UTC

    It’s awful. Why did you sign the NDI? When this happened to me, in 2019, I refused the NDI, so I could speak openly about my experience at my former bully pit- I mean former employer, IF asked. -I relished telling HR to keep their hush money, and ripped the 6 page legal my binding document - stating I could not speak about what had happened in the office…IF asked, I DO tell. But this career event- it has been costly. I now can only find contract work, at half my previous wage. Awards, Best in class results, patents, 30 years of excellence in performance, whooshed away, by an event- that was out of my control. I wish you good luck in your endeavors.

23. AnonymousFebruary 5,2022 at 4:34PM UTC

    So many people have been laid off at least once that it's not judged as you may think. Just state you were laid off and leave it at that.

24. Danielle SimonFebruary 5,2022 at 5:16PM UTC

    Frankly, I don't get the "be honest" answers. I would never tell any interviewer that I've been fired, and I never have told them that (I've been fired twice--I believe both times were mostly "cultural fit" related). Like someone else said, you need to give a positive spin. They're not going to assume you were fired just because it has been three months. I am not sure how long you think it takes to get a new job, but most people don't just snap their fingers and get a new job. I am at a point in my career where I'm in demand, and it took me a month to get a new job last year between applications and interviews. So, if you're not at that level yet, it will take longer (especially if you're not particularly good at writing resumes/cover letters and interviewing, which are also among my strengths).

    I think how you spin it depends. With my two firings, I was not at those jobs longer than three months, so I just left them off my resume altogether. If you were there too long to leave it off your resume, think about why you got fired. A lot of the time, the job was not a fit for you in some way. If it was not a fit in terms of the work, you can say you're looking for something that's more in line with your skills, abilities and what you're interested in doing. Focus on how the previous job was different from the one you're interviewing for. If it was not a fit in terms of the people/culture, that's trickier. But you can still use the excuse that you're looking for something that fits what you'd like to do better, and/or an environment that fits you better or focus on other "safe" differences in the workplaces in terms of culture. Obviously, you can't say they didn't like you, or even that they treated you poorly.

    And then just don't use the previous employer as a reference.

25. AnonymousFebruary 5,2022 at 5:30PM UTC

    I review resumes daily and am in no way concerned when I see someone has been out of work for 3 months or more. I, and many recruiters, are fully aware the pandemic has thrown curve balls so if I were to assume anything it is to assume being out of work within the last few years may be pandemic related.

    A lengthy explanation is not needed. A recruiter may ask you a question along the lines of: "Why are you looking for a job change right now?" This is a great opportunity to say, unfortunately my last employer made the business decision to lay off xyz of its workforce and I was included in that.

    Biggest tip: No matter the circumstances with the last employer, bad mouthing the former employer won't bode well in an interview. Whether true or not, it won't come off well with a potential new employer.

26. AnonymousFebruary 6,2022 at 5:22AM UTC

    Exactly - well stated. Keep it nice and brief, not much to dwell on. It's a business decision to let go of a certain percentage of employees due to COVID19. Nothing more, nothing less. If a recruiter or manager decides to inquire deeper and ask more questions...that's my cue to end the interview, and not waste my valuable time with such an ignoramus.

27. rgstaffing@bellsouth.netFebruary 6,2022 at 9:28PM UTC

    This would be my cue to wonder what the real problem is. I would be reference checking this candidate --sorry not sorry.

28. rgstaffing@bellsouth.netFebruary 6,2022 at 9:26PM UTC

    I agree. Excellent advice and perspective.

29. Elise PilkingtonFebruary 5,2022 at 9:14PM UTC

    It would never occur to me to ask "why" someone was laid off, particularly in the last two years. I'd assume the reason had nothing to do with the employee and everything to do with the employer's financial position (as layoffs almost always do).

    Now there is a difference between being laid off and being fired. If you tell a prospective employer you were laid off they may want to contact the previous employer for a reference. If you were fired, you won't want them to do that so you may have to discuss why you were fired.

30. Jill W. LiuFebruary 6,2022 at 1:48AM UTC

    Thanks for the break down . I see what is applicable to me

31. rgstaffing@bellsouth.netFebruary 6,2022 at 9:24PM UTC

    As you said, there is a big difference in being laid off and fired.

32. AnonymousFebruary 6,2022 at 5:19AM UTC

    I guess if you are living under some rock, or are a complete insensitive moron you would ask why someone has been "laid off" these past 2 years. We are in a "Pandemic", so most miserable greedy firms/companies want to save pennies by laying off personnel. In most industries, word gets out that XYZ Company let go of x number of employees - due to COVID19. Someone shortsighted will dwell on it--and focus on that alone and be judgmental. You don't need to work for a manager or company like that.

33. shaz1972February 6,2022 at 2:47PM UTC

    Good point

34. rgstaffing@bellsouth.netFebruary 6,2022 at 9:22PM UTC

    Actually, this is not always true. Many candidates who have been fired for inferior work, attendance, tardiness and a myriad of other reasons just say "laid off due to Covid" until their reference is checked and they have been terminated and not eligible for rehire. We need to dwell on it so that we know the truth about why a candidate has been let go and do not attempt to place this type of individual unless we know the truth. It is not hard to find out....

35. Joanna PoeFebruary 6,2022 at 2:50PM UTC

    I guess it depends on the industry, but when I was laid off in the software world pre-pandemic, it was very common as companies would merge or get bought out and go through restructuring on the regular. I simply said the company went through a reduction in force and no further questions were asked.

    When I was laid off from a job in travel due to the pandemic, nobody even bothered asking, because the last listed job was at a travel agency and the end date was March 2020. 'Nuf said, I guess.

    Employment can be so very fickle sometimes, and with the current situation, I don't think most places are going to be that weird about the length of your unemployment.

    Be careful about phrasing though: "laid off" is not the same as fired; please don't use them interchangeably.

    If you were laid off, it almost never reflects on you or your performance; it's some larger thing to do with the company or industry and you don't really need to go into any detail.

    If you left voluntarily, that can be for any number of personal or professional reasons, which you can elaborate or not while remaining professional simply by saying that "it wasn't a good fit," or you had "family or health reasons," etc. As long as your employment history doesn't have a repetitive pattern of that, it's likely not going to worry anyone.

    If you were "let go" or fired, this might come up if you get an offer and need to go through an employment history / background check, so you should be as honest as possible without tanking your chances. Again, "not a good fit" can cover a lot, as can "differences of opinion," but make sure you're not telling them an outright lie.

    To be honest, I think questions are more often asked when you're interviewing while you still have employment someplace else. Instead of asking "why do you want this job" when you clearly need a job because you don't have one, people want to know "why do you want THIS job" as opposed to the one you're already doing.

36. Rika M PhippsFebruary 6,2022 at 9:42PM UTC

    Fired means you can never go back.

    Laid off would be due to situations (which may or may not be something you did, or something out of your control).

    In this case, you could say you've been downsized due to covid.

37. Rosa GoesFebruary 7,2022 at 3:41PM UTC

    Honesty is important, but you don't have to go into the details. A few words will do i.e. not a good fit, poor management, etc. as others mentioned this post. Then turn the interview around by focusing on your talents, experience, and enthusiasm for the job. Good luck to you!

38. rgstaffing@bellsouth.netFebruary 7,2022 at 7:22PM UTC

    I have always appreciated a candidate who tells me upfront that they have been terminated. often, it is very traumatic. If i believe that the candidate is not troubled in the attitude department and can own what happened and not use words like toxic, it would not stop me from working that candidate. Sometimes, in medical office placement, drama can overrule and I can usually tell if the candidate was just in a bad situation. I would probably check a refence, however.