Laid off, how to explain in interviews ?
I was recently laid off and my position was terminated. New grad with about 1.5 YEO and I was given a promotion 6 months ago so came as a surprise to me.
I was told that it was because there was a lack of work so they did not need more staff, I still have the lingering doubt that maybe I was not good enough but I guess that's just part of the process.
My ex employer has a company policy that they don't do referrals so it makes it even harder to explain that during interviews. What are some tips or things I can say in the interview ? I am worried that potential employer will look at my situation in a negative light. Thanks for the help
Comments ( 8 )
Say you wanted to step a way from your role for A, B, or C personal reasons e.g., your mental health, a sick *close* family member that needed your support, etc. Then tie that to a story of why you are interviewing for what ever role you are interviewing for i.e, what was missing from past role was A, B, and C and it seems that this role and organization fills those gaps and ties to my interest in doing A, B, and C type of work
I disagree with the above response. You don't need to say anything about why you left. If you say the above, it sounds like were fired. You have the perfect story. This is a really easy one to tell. You were let go because there wasn't enough work. You were also promoted 6 months ago which means you do good work. The story is simple - I was a strong performer as I was promoted 6 months ago, however, due to the market underlying conditions, there was not enough work at the company and so they let me go.
This is your story. Don't worry about it. You were not fired. And the company said you were let go because of lack of work. The market sucks right now. Everyone will understand it. You do not need to spin this.
Agree with this and don't agree with the first response. This is easy. Good performer, firm had cuts, not a big deal. This happens all the time, especially when firms decide to focus more on a certain line of business, you can have amazing people who are no longer needed since the investment in that business will be low or zero.
And how does leaving for personal reasons sound like a person was fired? At the end of the day, most jobs have reference checks, so.....
I never said to say you were leaving for personal reasons…that sounds like you got fired.
I said to say you were let go because of lack of work. That's not fired for performance. That's let go because of lack of work for someone to do.
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Learn moreYou say exactly that. Sound genuine and confident in your response. Don't sound confident and try to BS or sidestep then it will sound like you got fired.
People get it, especially where it looks the economy is heading. Happens all the time just need to tell the story well.
No employer will look at you negatively if you're laid off, especially in this market. You were promoted recently and that shows you have strong work quality. Getting laid off is a normal occurrence and it happens to a lot of people through no fault of their own. You can clearly explain there was not enough work to go around. When you mean you're company doesn't do referrals, do you mean they wont even give a letter of rec or answer a call? That seems a bit weird, but regardless just tell the truth. Lots of people being laid off in this market, they will understand.
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