Interview Tips for Those Who've Been Laid Off

Posted on Jan 22nd, 01:00 am, under Career Advice

Being laid off is often a difficult and sensitive topic to bring up in interviews. But since you've got to provide full disclosure of your past working experience, it is also a necessary subject. The trick lies in telling a potential employer about your dismissal truthfully but artfully. Here's how you do it.

First off all, before you divulge any details about getting laid off, let's define what you mean. With the economy in the shape it is now, your firm may have had to terminate you because of reasons beyond your control: due to a merger, because they had to cut costs, etc. These don't have anything to do with your performance and work ethic. If these are your reasons, then it's unlikely that potential employers will hold your firing against you.

On the other hand, it might be the case that you were fired for not fulfilling job requirements, for doing something unethical or illegal, or for not getting along with management. If you lost your job for these reasons, it can be really awkward explaining them to recruiters, but there's still a way to do it without hurting your chances.

Usually, your former company will want to help you move on as quickly as possible to a new job (unless you've done something truly reprehensible). Work with your old firm's HR department and try to come up with a reason for leaving that suits both your purposes. Since you don't have to fret about getting a poor reference, this makes it easier to move on and start a job search. If a recruiter asks why you left your last job, you'll have a good answer already prepared.

No matter what you say in your story, don't dwell on it. Only provide as much information as they asked for, and move on to another topic. The longer you talk about it, the more awkward it will become. However, don't sound defensive.

Some phrases that might help: "I left my old firm because of a company-wide downsizing that eliminated my entire department". Or you might say, "My manager and I saw that my position didn't match my skills or interests, so it was realigned." 

Finally, never complain about your previous employer or make disparaging comments about them. You want to appear upbeat and ready to take on a new challenge, not resentful and depressed (no matter how you may really feel). In these tough times, interviewers don't want to hear complaints, they want to hear about what you can do for them.