How to answer why I was let go!
Hello FGB!
In my last position, I was at for 4 months. My boss got terminated (after being at the company for 9 years), and then suddenly, I got a performance review less than a week later from a supervisor I had only worked with for 2-3 weeks. The performance review noted that I scored a one on every category ( though this had never been brought up before); every category said I had an unprofessional tone and had spelling and grammar errors. This was the first time it had been brought up to me that I was not performing well ( I have dyslexia, so spelling has never been my strong suit). I was told to fix my tone and use the provided templates. So I used their templates, had no spelling or grammar mistakes for my two-week probation. I checked in with my new supervisor every two days during those two weeks. She noted how well I was doing and gave one minor suggestion. Then I got pulled into another meeting and was terminated on the spot, stating I had not improved enough. It was shocking as I thought I was improving a lot and had eliminated one of the two problems they mentioned.
Now I am job hunting, and I am unsure how to answer why I was only in my last position for four months. My boss, who was terminated, thought I was doing a fantastic job and told me so after being fired. She has even been writing recommendations for new positions. What do I say when interviewing?
First of all, if you informed the company of your dyslexia, they were in a legal position of providing appropriate accomodtions for it. A Reading Disorder such as dyslexia is one of the categories covered under both the IDEA and the ADA. You should not have been fired for your spelling. They took advantage of you in firing you. The other ünprofessional demeanor could not have been proven in such a short time unless you told a client or a manager to do something untoward.
Dont look back... they got rid of you because you in your managerś court and they got rid of her. They needed a fresh start and cleaned house awkwardly. However, to protect yourself in the future from such bogus claims, you MUST disclose your dyslexia to HR after you are hired. That way you and your spelling and reading are in need of accomodations - not eligible for firing.
You say you elevated one of the two problems. What was the second problem that they say you didn't improve on?
My second was my unprofessional tone. Which I thought I was improving but may have not eliminated completely, really unsure what they meant as I had no complaints about my professionalism. I did take a business writing class after being let go though to improve my tone.
So it was in your correspondence and not phone calls?
Yes, my email correspondence as they never listen to me on the phone. I used their provided email templates so I am not sure what they meant as I was told to use the provided templates.
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Keeping it short and positive are key. There was a change in management. Restructuring. However you positively spin it, make sure you highlight why the new place will be the right one.
First of all it's great that you were provided feedback on why you were fired - the situation stinks, but more often than not employers never tell you why you were let go.
Now, you were only at this role for 4 months so basically you were still in your probationary period or close to it. It's not unreasonable to say that you accepted the role and were still in training when there was a change in management, unfortunately as a result you were moved to a different team that was not a good match for your skills and you parted ways with the company.
Hello!. Check out Madeline Mann's (Self Made Millennial) video on YouTube: 8 Ways How to Answer: "Why did you leave your last job?" She has a great suggestion on how to make it sound positive. Good luck!