An involuntary termination can be difficult to manage, but even when you are navigating the change well, it can still be hard to discuss in an interview. Often an employer will ask why you left your last job or why you were let go from your previous employer. Here are some techniques to help make the conversation easier and to help you re-frame being let go.
Stick to the facts
As emotional as losing a job can be, an interview isn’t the time to deal with the issues surrounding your dismissal. Keep your answer limited to the factual details of the situation without addressing the feelings involved. If you are having difficulty speaking about losing your last position without becoming emotional, seek out help from friends, family, or a professional therapist to help you negate the real and understandable stress that can accompany a job loss.
Ready to move on
A potential employer will want to see that you are ready to start a new role and hit the ground running. If at all possible, focus your answers on the type of opportunity you are looking for and what you want to do in the future. Address the departure and then pivot with such phrases as “moving forward” or “in my next role, I hope to…” Show your next employer that you are ready to move ahead by keeping your answers focused on what’s next for you.
Corporate reorganization
Sometimes companies reorganize and eliminate large portions of their staff. This can be especially common in some industries. In situations such as this, simply relate that the company you belonged to had restructured their business and your position along with a number of others were eliminated. You may also wish to highlight how many years you had worked for the employer prior to being let go and (if it was the case) that you had a history of positive performance reviews.
The elephant in the room
If the employer you are interviewing with already knows there was a major issue (poor performance, attendance, or interpersonal problem) that led to your termination, address the situation directly. Without going into too much detail, briefly describe why you were let go, what you have learned, and how you plan on doing things differently in the future. Again, do not disclose more than you have to, but take ownership and demonstrate the lessons you learned. Keep in mind that you are not required to disclose any information about illnesses, family issues, or anything you are uncomfortable speaking about.
Turn your focus forward
It is always a good practice to add a forward-facing statement onto any answer about a career transition. A great overall rule of thumb is, no matter which of these techniques you us, turn the focus of your answer ahead. Once you’ve addressed the topic of a difficult termination, the details of why you left a job, or if your company had a reorganization, at the end of your answer focus your attention to the future and what you’d like to accomplish in your next position.