I need advice on how to describe my job departure.

Anonymous

October 13,2021 at 7:48PM UTC

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I need advice on how to describe my job departure. I left my job several months ago. It was an awful environment and I'm happy to not be there anymore. Anyway, it was less than an amicable situation. I have never been fired in my life - but I'd say that's basically what ended up happening - an agreement to part ways.

How do I address this in interviews? Some people have told me to say that we went through a restructure and my job was eliminated - which it ultimately was - except now they are hiring for a higher level of the same position and we are in a very small town. I'm interested in hearing how you would address this. Having never been in a position like this before, I want to make sure I give enough but don't want to get stuck in the weeds.

I intentionally did not take a role right away as I wanted to not carry along any baggage and I wanted to put my best self forward. I feel like I'm ready but I just don't want to stumble over this question.

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AnonymousOctober 13,2021 at 9:14PM UTC
I love the reorg explanation.
If you'd rather not use it just say the job was not a fit and your looking for your next step in your career.
AnonymousOctober 13,2021 at 10:37PM UTC
Thanks! I appreciate the feedback.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistOctober 14,2021 at 3:18AM UTC
It doesn't matter whether or not they're hiring nor does it matter what level they're hiring for. You don't work there anymore.
If your position was eliminated, it was eliminated. In covid times, this is not that big a deal anymore.
AnonymousOctober 14,2021 at 2:54PM UTC
Thank you!
LisaOctober 14,2021 at 1:55PM UTC
Two years ago, my entire department (including managers) was laid off. New management decided to bring in their own people.
When people ask why I left, that's exactly what I tell them. And then I move on to what I'm doing now and how much I love my current position, but as a consultant, I'm looking at the end of my contract, blah, blah, blah...
They seem to appreciate the honesty.
AnonymousOctober 14,2021 at 2:54PM UTC
Thanks!
Melanie MelaniemelOctober 16,2021 at 12:15PM UTC
You could say that they core values and beliefs didn't align with yours.
Also agree, with covid position elimination isn't a big deal anymore.
Stephanie YoungOctober 16,2021 at 12:25PM UTC
In general, my advice is to be honest, but that doesn't mean you have to say out loud every detail. I would just say that the job was not a good fit for you, and that you decided to take some time to... do whatever. Have you taken classes, or taken time for family stuff or whatever? If there's something specific you can point to that you did that's relevant or that is appropriate to be shared, mention it. Otherwise, just say that you chose to take a little time off for personal reasons, and that the reset has helped you to focus on what's important to you in your career path.
Heather CutlerOctober 16,2021 at 12:29PM UTC
I had a similar situation about five years ago and when asked, I said there was a mutual agreement to parts ways with each other. Almost everyone you’ll ever interview with has been canned, left a toxic situation / toxic boss, etc. I think there’s a lot to be said on how you characterize this split from each other. Now if you go in swinging and talk about how wretched your previous employer was, that will be a situation! I agree with other, pull out a few positive nuggets about the job and wrap up with the agreement to go your separate ways.
AnonymousOctober 16,2021 at 12:52PM UTC
For OP: Emphasizing it was a mutual decision is key because it takes some of the sting away from any character assassination your former employer attempts against you. It will be clear that the bridges are burned but in a de-escalated way.
If this is an anomaly in your career and especially if it was a short term position/short period of time in an otherwise "positive" tenure in the position, make sure to highlight your positive past work experiences, relationships, and accomplishments to demonstrate this *aberration*.
If there is a way for you to work virtually beyond the confines of your small town or work you can commute to outside of the small town gossip, consider it. Don't limit yourself if you don't have to - best wishes!
Lori CasoOctober 16,2021 at 12:32PM UTC
“ Not a good fit.” Less is more, and don’t say anything negative about the company…
AnonymousOctober 16,2021 at 12:35PM UTC
Hiring for a job at a higher level is still an elimination of your role because the role changed. You can still say that.
Takiia AndersonOctober 16,2021 at 12:36PM UTC
I discovered that the role was not in alignment with my knowledge, skills and abilities. I decided to pursue roles that are a better fit personally and professionally. Then you start talking about the current opportunity and how it aligns with your present and future goals.
Tracey NewellOctober 16,2021 at 1:00PM UTC
It was an opportunity for change!
AnonymousOctober 16,2021 at 1:04PM UTC
The job description was for a junior/mid level role but they discovered that a senior/lead role was more in alignment with the situation/client demand.
It’s not a story, that is what happened. :)
AnonymousOctober 16,2021 at 1:11PM UTC
You can also say that there were some gaps in needs. I was learning to fill those gaps but they really needed someone who was had those skills abs was ready to hit the ground running. Sometimes employers have time / situations that allow for helping people skill up. Other times they need someone who can start with a certain set of skills right away.
Shennee RuttOctober 16,2021 at 1:06PM UTC
I’m very sorry you went through this. I would be completely transparent, and say either the job was not what it appeared to be, or I realized that the work environment was not conducive to longevity in my career aspirations. Good luck!
AnonymousOctober 16,2021 at 2:36PM UTC
If it's a small town where everyone knows everyone then everyone knows how toxic the company is. Say you left because the company was going through changes in which you did say see longevity. After you left you (describe accomplishments) and look forward to returning to work.
AnonymousOctober 16,2021 at 2:37PM UTC
Did not see longevity. Dang auto correct.
AnonymousOctober 16,2021 at 3:11PM UTC
Love this response. Less is more. Everyone understands people move on to better opportunities to grow and leave jobs where growth is stagnant.
Joanna PoeOctober 16,2021 at 2:52PM UTC
"It wasn't a good fit." I've never been on an interview where that wasn't accepted and we simply moved on to talk about other things. It's not something most hiring managers or recruiters seem to dwell on.
Frankly, if you were there only a short time and the position isn't relevant to the one you're going for now, leave it out of your resume entirely.
Deb HornerOctober 16,2021 at 3:37PM UTC
I left to pursue a different path in my career. In a small town, it is unlikely that you will be in the same industry, so that makes perfect sense.
DeeOctober 16,2021 at 5:20PM UTC
Short and sweet and to the point. Some candidates end up talking themselves out of a job with too many details. This approach is perfect n
lilahgaelOctober 16,2021 at 6:52PM UTC
It wasn't a good fit.
Maureen B. WeisnerOctober 16,2021 at 9:38PM UTC
I echo what many have stated,
"It wasn't a good fit."
Keep it short and yes, stop talking.
Smile, nod and move on
AnonymousOctober 17,2021 at 6:03PM UTC
I had a similar situation happen to me. I was with a company 90 days and we parted ways. I simply address this as, it was not a right fit for me. If I am asked to elaborate, I usually say they had a unique management style that was not conducive to the way I work.
Renee Radcliff SinclairOctober 16,2021 at 9:41PM UTC
"I decided to take some time away from work to concentrate on my career and determine what direction I want it to take. It was the best thing I could have done."
EricaOctober 17,2021 at 12:03PM UTC
Honestly, if I were interviewing a candidate who essentially said they wanted to leave their job to “focus on their career”, I would see red flags all over. Why would you leave your employment to focus on your career? It’s kind of like saying “I left college to focus on my education”. However, when candidates in the same situation simply say “it wasn’t a good fit”, that comes across as very honest, and not damaging. As other posters have said, stop talking about it at that point.
AnonymousOctober 17,2021 at 12:26PM UTC
Excellent advice!
BeaBoss645203October 17,2021 at 2:32PM UTC
I agree with the ones on here saying to keep it short and sweet. I have found that in interviews you can usually rather easy brush by this, especially with the covid thing . You don't owe anyone a long explanation and legally even if someone checked with past employer, all they can say is when you started and left. They are not allowed to give any details
AnonymousOctober 17,2021 at 4:44PM UTC
Most jobs are at-will. Definitely wouldn't say it was less than amicable.
AnonymousOctober 18,2021 at 6:22PM UTC
Thanks! I wasn't planning to include all of what I wrote. Just for context.
AnonymousOctober 17,2021 at 10:56PM UTC
Organizational restructure is short and simple response. No future explanation is needed. If the hiring Mgr dwells on it.. you will have to ask yourself.. do I really want to work for someone like that.
AnonymousOctober 18,2021 at 3:45AM UTC
It is funny that you post this question. I was laid off in October of 2020 with a job that I had for almost five years. In April of this year - 2021, I interviewed and was hired at a great job that I knew was a good fit for me. I started in May and the woman I was working for was a nut case. She was impatient and didn't allow me enough time to learn the job. Within five weeks they were talking of letting me go and after just eight weeks on the job they did just that. I was doing well with other aspects but they wouldn't give me enough time to become situated with the support and the whims that I had to learn for the principals that I supported. This takes time and and I couldn't know it all in just a few weeks. Like anyone that starts at new job at a big company it takes time to know and to adjust to everything. They said I didn't have the skill set, but I didn't agree. If I was so bad, then whey did they hire me in the first place? They barely gave me a chance and took some minor errors I made (a few typos in some e-mails . . . I kid you not) as a justification for getting rid of me. In a way I was really angry, because I wanted the job and the benefits, but I was happy and relieved not to have to work with this woman who in my opinion was insane. I am now actively looking and I was just thinking of not putting the job down because I was only there for about two months. Any thoughts?
AnonymousOctober 18,2021 at 6:06PM UTC
I wouldn't put it on my resume unless you learned some skills on that job that you want to build on in your next job. I had a horrible job for 4 1/2 months that I don't have on my resume. The boss was horrible and was accusing me of things I didn't do and I would rather not have to talk about it since I didn't really learn anything from that job except not to accept a job if they don't let you see the office before hiring you.
AnonymousOctober 18,2021 at 9:51PM UTC
But can they find out about the job in a background check? If I leave it off (should I be offered a job), can they still found out about it?
Joanna PoeOctober 19,2021 at 6:33PM UTC
You can leave it off the resume with no worries, but if they have some form asking about prior employment, put it there. I've never seen a form like that which didn't have an "okay to contact" yes/no checkbox, and there's no penalty for checking "no."
AnonymousOctober 20,2021 at 6:23PM UTC
I don't know . . . it seems like if you did put it the employment form it would raise a red flag. How do I say I wasn't even there - as a permanent employee - for less than 2 months? Is there any way to leave it off without a worry they would find out about the job? Please help!
NicoleNovember 14,2021 at 7:31PM UTC
Could say you moved on for a better opp, more stability.