I was let go from my dream job after 6 months of working with a very difficult client who wanted me gone.

14 Comments

1. AnonymousJune 8,2022 at 6:48PM UTC

   Just say it wasn't a fit as there were struggles transitioning accounts.

2. Sarah Cleveland, SPHR, ACCJune 8,2022 at 7:38PM UTC

   Sometimes the recruiter may want to better understand why you left - was this an involuntary (performance issue or other issue, even a layoff) or voluntary termination (you chose to leave the organization)?
   Not sure what is on your employment record as far as why you left the organization, most background checks only request information around dates, often companies won't reveal details around a former employee's separation, just dates and job title(s) held during employment.

   My advice to the question: "Why did you leave your most recent role" would be something along these lines:
   Now that I've wrapped up my most recent project, I'm taking time to focus on my search to find my next career move leveraging my background working for for an organization where I can focus on ... (name the skills that you do really well). While it was a great position and I built great skill in (name the skills), I'm excited to find my next role!

   If they straight up ask if you were involuntarily terminated (aka fired), I would be honest and say that while you had success with several clients (and have examples ready if they ask) you were working on a project where the client requested a different consultant and so the firm and I parted ways.

   Be sure to highlight the great skills you built while you were in that role and what you learned from the experience. Ensure you do not disparage the organization nor the client (don't say the name of the client) - just share how you have learned and grown and what you are focusing on moving forward.

   Good luck and chin up - you will find your next great opportunity!

3. AnonymousJune 8,2022 at 7:56PM UTC

   Thank you, this is very helpful.

4. AnonymousJune 11,2022 at 9:09PM UTC

   Excellent response! It provides insight into the hiring process. It does not direct the poster to state anything deceitful in a job interview. As it indicates, refraining from saying anything disparaging about a former or current employer, colleague or client in a job interview or on the job is always the best policy!

5. AnonymousJune 8,2022 at 7:54PM UTC

   Why did the client want you gone? Speak to the labor board or a lawyer about that one.

6. AnonymousJune 8,2022 at 9:09PM UTC

   If it was a contract job, just say the contract ended. And keep it as simple as that. No need to get into the difficult this and that. Most employers, unless they are pricks are not going to directly ask you if you were fired from a job bc they wouldnt want someone to ask them that on an interview. All that they care about is can you do the job they need you to. So expect most of the questions to come from there. If they chose to still interview you and they already verified those details, they likely do not care.

   But lets say that someone does care and they ask you that question. If someone corners you into that question, just be upfront about it and say yes it happened. But spend more time explaining what you learned from the experience and how you grew from the experience.

   But no one is perfect in life, if an interviewer wants to harp on that negative experience and make you feel bad about it, maybe thats a job you should reject if ever offered. Because if they have reservations based on that 1 incident, why would they waste their time even calling you up for an interview. So don't focus so much on this as an insecurity, focus more on preparing for your interview by knowing and understanding the job duties that will set you apart from the rest. and Good Luck!

7. AnonymousJune 8,2022 at 9:52PM UTC

   One option is taking this 6 month job off your resume entirely. It was only 6 months and one client, which should not define you.

   You can say that you left your prior job for any reason that you are comfortable discussing, such as:

   -Accept a new opportunity that unfortunately fell through. (Why; needs of the company changed OR business was down due to the pandemic.)

   -My family needed me temporarily due to short-term needs that have since been resolved.

8. AnonymousJune 8,2022 at 10:35PM UTC

   If you don’t list on your resume, what will you tell them you’ve been doing for the last 6 months.

   We need to stop being afraid and just tell the truth when asked. I’m sure quite a few people has gone thru this situation before .

   We are human!!

9. AnonymousJune 8,2022 at 10:59PM UTC

   -We are human, but we want to position ourselves for the best. If the original poster is happiest being completely candid, great!

   But it is worth considering that revealing the whole truth could open a can of worms. The prospective employer might think: Why did the client have problems with this candidate? Will this candidate be able to manage my clients? And so forth.

   -What has the candidate been doing for the past six months? Depends on the reason given for leaving past role. Answers might include:

   -Looking for employment (b/c new opportunity fell through or b/c new opportunity was not a good fit.)

   -Looking after family (if family needs have been cited.)

   -Taking a well-earned break (if desire for some downtime has been cited.)

10. KileyJune 12,2022 at 8:26AM UTC

    Good advice.

11. Nicola BanksJune 10,2022 at 4:23AM UTC

    "Challenging position that stretched my boundaries in all the right ways"

    I learnt - compassion, vulnerability, dealing with difficult conversations.....

12. Crystal HowellJune 10,2022 at 10:41AM UTC

    It wasn't a good fit for me.

    If they press, I was looking for a company that provided a more tight knit organized culture.

13. AnonymousJune 11,2022 at 1:50PM UTC

    All the info. below is great advice. I have never been asked for my college certificate, certainly not asked about grades. I don’t think recruiters, interviewers, or just your next boss, ask those kinds of questions. Be confident, swift, and sell yourself!!

14. AnonymousJune 11,2022 at 2:33PM UTC

    You can say that you tried in every way to help the client build their business but they only wanted to do things their way and they didn’t want to use your expertise and experience to their benefit. Additionally your management did not support you in a way that you expected, which showed you that this company was not a good fit for you. Good luck