Were You Fired (Interview Question)

Were You Fired (Interview Question) ShareShare1 Whats the best way to answer? First of all, realize that having been fired is probably more of a big deal to you than it is to the prospective employer. Make your answer short and sweet: brief and emotionally neutral. Here are good examples: I was a valued member of the team for five years. Then a new manager came in (or there was a reorganization, or the company was bought) and many people were let go, including me. The new manager then filled the team with people he had worked with at a past company. Its a blessing in disguise for me, because now Im here interviewing for this exciting opportunity. Looking back, Ive realized the job and I werent really a good fit. I was successful with (aspects that are similar to the job youre interviewing for), but not as strong on (the parts that are different). Im much better suited to a position like the one were talking about today. Although I did accomplish many milestones in that role, I realize I also made some mistakes. Its been a big learning experience for me. I know now that (describe what you learned). With that new wisdom, together with the skills I already had, Im confident Ill succeed in this role. Emphasize the positive. Notice how these answers begin and end with something positive, with the negative sandwiched in between. You can use this sandwich technique whenever you need to address something negative in an interview. Whatever you say, it is important that you say it without radiating anger, fear or shame. Work on your state of mind if you need to, whether through self-help books, affirmations, meditation or counseling. Put the firing in perspective in your own mind. Good people get fired every day, according to Tim Sackett, who runs a staffing agency. They get fired for making bad decisions. They get fired for pissing off the wrong person. They get fired because they didnt fit your culture. They get fired because of bad job fit. Many of the most successful people in the world have been fired. Steve Jobs was fired from Apple, then returned years later. Oprah Winfrey, Walt Disney, Lee Iacocca, J.K. Rowling and Thomas Edison all got the boot. Look up successful people who have been fired online. Youll see that the list goes on and on. Youre in fine company. Do what you can to rebuild the bridge, work hard on your interview preparation, and look forward to moving quickly past this bump in the road. The more time goes by, the less it will matter. Were You Fired (Interview Question) ShareShare1 Whats the best way to answer? First of all, realize that having been fired is probably more of a big deal to you than it is to the prospective employer. Make your answer short and sweet: brief and emotionally neutral. Here are good examples: I was a valued member of the team for five years. Then a new manager came in (or there was a reorganization, or the company was bought) and many people were let go, including me. The new manager then filled the team with people he had worked with at a past company. Its a blessing in disguise for me, because now Im here interviewing for this exciting opportunity. Looking back, Ive realized the job and I werent really a good fit. I was successful with (aspects that are similar to the job youre interviewing for), but not as strong on (the parts that are different). Im much better suited to a position like the one were talking about today. Although I did accomplish many milestones in that role, I realize I also made some mistakes. Its been a big learning experience for me. I know now that (describe what you learned). With that new wisdom, together with the skills I already had, Im confident Ill succeed in this role. Emphasize the positive. Notice how these answers begin and end with something positive, with the negative sandwiched in between. You can use this sandwich technique whenever you need to address something negative in an interview. Whatever you say, it is important that you say it without radiating anger, fear or shame. Work on your state of mind if you need to, whether through self-help books, affirmations, meditation or counseling. Put the firing in perspective in your own mind. Good people get fired every day, according to Tim Sackett, who runs a staffing agency. They get fired for making bad decisions. They get fired for pissing off the wrong person. They get fired because they didnt fit your culture. They get fired because of bad job fit. Many of the most successful people in the world have been fired. Steve Jobs was fired from Apple, then returned years later. Oprah Winfrey, Walt Disney, Lee Iacocca, J.K. Rowling and Thomas Edison all got the boot. Look up successful people who have been fired online. Youll see that the list goes on and on. Youre in fine company. Do what you can to rebuild the bridge, work hard on your interview preparation, and look forward to moving quickly past this bump in the road. The more time goes by, the less it will matter. Were You Fired (Interview Question) ShareShare1 Whats the best way to answer? First of all, realize that having been fired is probably more of a big deal to you than it is to the prospective employer. Make your answer short and sweet: brief and emotionally neutral. Here are good examples: I was a valued member of the team for five years. Then a new manager came in (or there was a reorganization, or the company was bought) and many people were let go, including me. The new manager then filled the team with people he had worked with at a past company. Its a blessing in disguise for me, because now Im here interviewing for this exciting opportunity. Looking back, Ive realized the job and I werent really a good fit. I was successful with (aspects that are similar to the job youre interviewing for), but not as strong on (the parts that are different). Im much better suited to a position like the one were talking about today. Although I did accomplish many milestones in that role, I realize I also made some mistakes. Its been a big learning experience for me. I know now that (describe what you learned). With that new wisdom, together with the skills I already had, Im confident Ill succeed in this role. Emphasize the positive. Notice how these answers begin and end with something positive, with the negative sandwiched in between. You can use this sandwich technique whenever you need to address something negative in an interview. Whatever you say, it is important that you say it without radiating anger, fear or shame. Work on your state of mind if you need to, whether through self-help books, affirmations, meditation or counseling. Put the firing in perspective in your own mind. Good people get fired every day, according to Tim Sackett, who runs a staffing agency. They get fired for making bad decisions. They get fired for pissing off the wrong person. They get fired because they didnt fit your culture. They get fired because of bad job fit. Many of the most successful people in the world have been fired. Steve Jobs was fired from Apple, then returned years later. Oprah Winfrey, Walt Disney, Lee Iacocca, J.K. Rowling and Thomas Edison all got the boot. Look up successful people who have been fired online. Youll see that the list goes on and on. Youre in fine company. Do what you can to rebuild the bridge, work hard on your interview preparation, and look forward to moving quickly past this bump in the road. The more time goes by, the less it will matter.