Terminated while interviewing for another position

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Anonymous

11/18/20 at 7:27PM UTC

Career

Terminated while interviewing for another position

I have been at my current position for a little more than a year. It hasn't been a good fit and I've been looking for another position. I was contacted by a recruiter about a position that I was very interested in. I've been through 2 rounds of interviews and they just asked for references, so it's looking good. However, I was laid off this morning. My question is whether or not I inform either the recruiter or the new company about my new status. I want to be honest, but I don't want to make anyone doubt my ability to do the job I'm interviewing for. What's the best way to proceed?

21 Comments

Misty Slavic

11/18/20 at 7:59PM UTC

I would contact the recruiter and get their advice. They should know the company's overall climate and be able to provide you the appropriate support.

Dina Cordiano

11/18/20 at 8:12PM UTC

Without a doubt, seek the guidance of the recruiter. Chances are you’re not the first person this has happened to and they will likely have some insight on this. Good luck!!

Christine Cheung

Talent Operations in London

11/18/20 at 8:25PM UTC

When you say 'laid off' was your role made redundant? If so that shouldn't raise doubt about your performance as the role was terminated rather than you as an individual. I would be honest with the recruiter about your situation - if they are an in-house recruiter they can share advice and also manage internal expectations.

Anonymous

11/18/20 at 8:36PM UTC

Depends on the situation. If you're close to taking the new position anyway, I wouldn't mention it.

Elizabeth L. Rios

11/18/20 at 8:36PM UTC

Absolutely. Make the recruiter aware of your situation.

Melissa Bruno

107

11/18/20 at 8:38PM UTC

I think it would be wise for you to continue to go through the interview process, and hold off alerting the recruiter about your "laid off" status. You are not lying to the recruiter by holding off sharing the news. You are maintaining your competitive edge and marketability. It sounds like the timing of an offer may work out well for you. However, if the recruiter circles backs and asks if anything has changed with your role. Then I would share that your company has undergone a cost cutting exercise and unfortunately, you were impacted by the change.

1 Reply

Sian Weekley

Area Human Resource Manager

11/19/20 at 5PM UTC

I agree with this approach. There is no need to alert anyone just yet.

Monica Lynn Sadler

Fashion Designer in New Jersey

11/18/20 at 8:47PM UTC

I agree with Melissa Bruno in that I wouldn't notify the recruiter just yet unless a question relating employment status comes up. At that point, I would be completely honest about the layoff. Continue with the interview process. I am praying for you that you get the new job. :)

Anonymous

11/18/20 at 9:06PM UTC

I am sorry this happened. It's important to check in with yourself on your motivations. Do you feel the urge to tell the recruiter to speed things along or?? I'd be concerned sharing this news does not exude confidence, but rather shows you have been disrupted (and of course you have) and let it get to you. If it were me I would stay the course for now without telling the recruiter. If they directly ask if your situation has changed though then you could answer honestly and matter of factly. And hope your start date can turn into ASAP! For me personally I try to go the route of being in control, unflappable, in demand, and always ready to pivot no matter what. (Even if I have to fake these feelings. )

Anonymous

11/18/20 at 9:09PM UTC

You definitely need to be candid with the recruiter. If the recruiter or the new company do a routine check to confirm your employment with your current company, they will find out about your departure. If you haven’t been candid, you will definitely not get the new position and you will have terminated any future opportunities with the recruiter. If you were laid off because of financial pressures, that is not problematic.

Sarah Gaeta

Software Product Creator and Leader

11/18/20 at 9:22PM UTC

You were notified of a lay off- and you haven't actually left the company yet. Because of that, I'd hold off on telling the new company anything. It's not official that you've left your current company yet. And your position being eliminated has nothing to do with your qualifications for the new role. In the current business environment, this is not an issue, in my opinion.

Ingrid Theissen-Anderson

11/18/20 at 9:26PM UTC

Laid off or terminated? Two different ways to handle it.

E Sylvia Simpson

Architecture & Metaphysics

11/18/20 at 9:55PM UTC

I would definitely let them know you are available immediately. This is a plus for a company that wants someone in the job right away.

Carrie Lee Maldonado

Life's too short to hate your job

11/18/20 at 9:59PM UTC

I think I will differ from the crowd here and say nope to the nope. Unless they make you an offer, it's really none of their business what your situation is. Use the scarcity principle... I wish this weren't true but companies like people who already have jobs more than people who need jobs. I'm a career coach, and have recruited for companies, and was in charge of HR before that so I know how these folks think :)

2 Replies

Angie Seibold

Customer Success Manager

11/18/20 at 10:32PM UTC

Interesting thought on companies liking people who already have jobs. Why do you think that is? I am not currently in a role, and it does indeed feel like recruiters assume you are employed.

Cinzia Iacovelli

278

Marketing Project Manager, Digital Events

11/19/20 at 3AM UTC

"I wish this weren't true but companies like people who already have jobs more than people who need jobs." That's an interesting point of view and I would like to know more about this if you can.

Melisa Osorio Bonifaz

11/18/20 at 10:32PM UTC

Hi there! Will you be needing references or a letter of recommendation from your current company? If not, then you can hold off on saying anything to your recruiter for a week or two. But it could also be helpful to talk to your recruiter and ask her what she thinks the best approach would be to inform the company you're interviewing with and if it would affect the interview process in any way. If you have great references at your current job and were terminated because you just weren't a good fit like you said, then it shouldn't be a problem at all to tell them that you're now available to start immediately. Good luck, I hope you get the job!!!

Brooke Tannehill

Digital Marketing Strategy Professional

11/18/20 at 10:32PM UTC

This exact thing happened to me. I spoke to my recruiter and let her know about the situation and guided me through the process. The best thing is that I still got the offer. I was told later that if I hadn't been upfront that it might have been a deterrent because I wouldn't have been able to explain the situation. The company I was interviewing with called all of my previous employers anyway so they would have found out one way or another.

Michelle Moulton

Implementation, Training, Healthcare, IT

11/18/20 at 10:53PM UTC

This is a tough decision and I think all the previous comments have very valid arguments for or against speaking up about losing your job. I lean towards the speaking up to the recruiter. If you did not lose your job due to any negative act or performance by you, then you should feel no anxiety in relaying that information. In keeping quite, it implies that you were possibly let go in relation to something that you may have done. If you are not considered because your situation has changed, then perhaps that is not a company you really want to work for. Be confident, stay strong, and try not to convey panic in your changed circumstance. Best of luck in whichever decision you feel is right for you. The recruiter may also have other opportunities if the current one does not come to fruition.

Lori Morris, SHRM-CP

The HR Aficionado

11/19/20 at 7:01AM UTC

Were you laid off or terminated? You use both terms in your post but they mean very different things. Either way, when the recruiter does your reference check they are going to find out. I think it is best to let them know of your updated status when you provide the references. Hopefully, it is just a layoff which is easily explained. Especially with the current state of the world. Best of luck to you! I hope you get the job!

Heather

Editorial Director

11/19/20 at 9:24PM UTC

I absolutely wouldn't mention it either way, until they make an offer, and then you can let them know that you are free immediately due to a recent round of layoffs.