How To Explain Why You Were Fired, Terminated, or Laid Off

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

Do you have a unique story of being fired that you would like to share❓ Please comment below.

[@dreampasser3098]

I was fired my previous company coz i was sleeping can you help me how to answer for next company

[@MrPhilip381]

I am 74, collecting social security,. Can I file for unemplyment after being fired - just two weeks into the job.

[@earthsea737]

Excellent Advices, but what happen with the people who become whistleblowers in federal or state agencies??? And end up been terminated? Many employees are terminated at Management decisions but after arbitration they ended up been cleared. How they can respond? What options they have? What happen with Wrongful terminations??

[@latachia_2981]

You can always call the unemployment office & SS office & ask them. @@MrPhilip381

[@dr.roberts4508]

​@@rex5577I if your in a Right to work state. With union like Arkansas. Double Jeopardy.

[@PthaloGreen2]

These are some great insights. I have been fired. Very few people talk about how to handle it, which is unfortunate, because the trauma of the firing decimated my self esteem and many years of my life. I wish more HR types would be positive like you are. Good people do get fired. We shouldn't be required to cover up the truth or feel horrible about ourselves if a job didn't work out. Thank you.

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

Hi PthaloGreen2, I'm sorry you were fired and you are so VERY right that good people do get fired and you shouldn't feel horrible about yourself when a job doesn't work out. (although that is easier said than done because we are human and it is a hit to our self esteem). I have another video that you might appreciate (if you haven't already found it) about how to overcome being fired. Here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnjHioupZ6p8atk ❣🌞

[@vickytang1]

Story # 3 is exactly me. Since high school all my employer said i am a good employee. Got employee of the year reward. Doing well for over 5 years with this employer, have good relation with team member. Suddenly new manager got hired, shows me his little notebook saying I was holding a fresh drink 5 mins back late from lunch on my birthday so they have to lay off me. It destroy me inside and it took long time for me to recover.

[@deadringer-cultofdeathratt8813]

this is the only video i've seen on this topic that touches on being fired for attendance. thank you

[@lileeper]

Best video I have found so far on this topic. Wish I had found this before my last call. No other video provided quite the right examples and strategies to help me explain the situation honestly and comfortably, while also transitioning into another positive topic. Also really appreciate the long list of examples. thanks!

[@solidkreate5007]

9:19 is exactly my situation. Thank you, I feel so much better now. I truly thought this was a death nail. I have an interview in six hours for my previous role at my previous company. I am still on pins and needles however your video really helped me.

[@chrisania726]

Great video thank you I am glad I found your page. I was fired very recently in my hospital job. Because of my accumulated absences due my children being sick, me being stressed and my youngest child being hospitalized for 8 days. Nothing to do with my work ethic, attitude or professionalism. It sucks but I'm going to be positive.

[@marabookstagram]

Awesome examples! The last one describes what I just went through with my previous employer. This is so helpful!

[@davids6898]

your first story is exactly what happened to me. Thank you for the answer. To be honest I have been so scared to interview because of this but this is an awesome answer! Thank you!

[@amandaspires3934]

Well done! This is a hard question to answer when you truly have worked in a toxic environment which can create personality clashes, resulting in getting terminated. Thank you for the many different insights here.

[@dr.roberts4508]

I do appreciate the site. Thank you ☺️

[@essj3334]

Thank you for this video I was dismissed for my job and struggling to find work but now I know how to word this next time.

[@michael2244]

I was fired from a job and the reason they said was basically "we are firing you because we can" they never gave a real reason.

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

That is terrible! But speaks to your employers lack of integrity and unwillingness to help you move forward in a positive way. It is unfortunate but some states have "at will termination laws" so there are no protections for employees - everything is in the favor of the employer and they can fire someone 'at will' with no reason. I am sorry this has happened to you! 🌞

[@womanofvirtue1stronginhism836]

This happened to me, but they said it just wasn’t working.

[@sleepy4172]

Hi Stacey-this is some great advice, thank you. I was fired on Wednesday and I'm obviously already looking for a new role. The reason given was that I "couldn't reach the standards expected of the company", but I asked for more training and support and was given none. My manager was a bit of a nightmare-*NOT* that I have any intention of mentioning it to people in interviews! If I'm asked about it, I'm intending on saying something along the lines of, "I was laid off. I think they knew they needed someone for the role but didn't know what that person looked like-they really needed someone with more experience than I can offer. Unfortunately the company culture was also a poor fit for me, and so that's why [new company] is much more appealing." Would that raise too many red flags for you as a recruiter? :-)

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

Hi Moki! Thanks for your comment. I'm so sorry to hear you were fired - even if you didn't like your job or boss, I know it's still feels like a punch in the gut. I hope you can take a little solace in knowing if you employer didn't provide adequate training and support when you asked for it, then they obviously don't value their employees so they aren't a great employer so in the long run maybe they did you a favor so you can now find an employer who will value you! So to answer your question - my first concern is that if you were truly 'fired' (rather than 'laid off'), you would be treading on dangerous ground to say "I was laid off". If a recruiter or hiring manager confirms this with your employer (which they very well may do) you have now just been caught in a lie and that will just set the 'red alert' system blaring. I've always disliked the word 'fired' it just sounds harsh and like you did something very wrong that deserved it such as a 'just cause' reason. ('just cause' means a 'serious employee misconduct such as theft, fraud, insubordination etc.) I prefer 'terminated' or 'let go' as it sounds a bit more gentle and doesn't imply a 'just cause' was the case. "I think they knew they needed someone for the role but didn't know what that person looked like-they really needed someone with more experience than I can offer." - By saying it like this you are putting yourself down and highlighting that you were not capable of doing/learning the job - so if you are applying for a similar job this won't come across well. INSTEAD say something like this: "The position was a new role in the company and shortly after I started the needs and expectations of the role (and department) changed and it was no longer the right fit with my skills and experience. I did ask for additional training but instead my employer chose to let me go." "Unfortunately the company culture was also a poor fit for me, and so that's why [new company] is much more appealing." - again this sounds too negative - like it is the employer's fault you didn't fit and that it is all about what you want ("poor fit for me"...."why ABC is much more appealing"), INSTEAD don't say anything about your past employer's culture and say something like this. "You know, when I was researching [new company], I was very impressed by how much you focus on customer care and the value you place in your employees - that demonstrates to me a positive company culture which really aligns with my values and why I would like to contribute to your team"....(obviously I made up the customer care part - so choose something relevant to what the company's goals, mission, objectives are) You don't actually need to mention the second part if the question is simply, "why did you leave your last job" - you can just say the first part I recommended. You can save the second part about culture for a question like "why do you want to work here?, what attracted you to this role? or just save it for ending your interview on a positive note. I hope that helps Moki! 🌞

[@sleepy4172]

@@VirtualJobSearchCoach Thank you so much-that's so helpful! I don't live in the US, but you're right: I was let go, not laid off, so I definitely need to get that terminology right. It wasn't a new role, but I (privately) spoke to the employee who left the job before I got it, and she said she felt like she'd been held hostage there, unsure why she was unable to leave as she didn't enjoy it... which was both gratifying for me, but would have been great info to know beforehand! You live and learn, I suppose. This was my second job after college and it lasted ~4 months, so I'm super sad to have been let go, but I'll take it on as a learning experience as to what I *don't* want in my next job. Fingers crossed I can find something else soon. Thank you for taking the time to read my comment and for replying; I really appreciate it!

[@rubinarai165]

Hi Stacey, Thank you for sharing this video. I had my father’s surgery and had requested a month’s unpaid leave to which the company had agreed but just one day before my joining date the HR called me fired me explaining that my work had high level of inaccuracies which is incorrect as I am extremely organised and accurate with my work. The company was aware that I would be expecting a pay rise from the coming year as I had requested this. They had asked me to take one month leave and after I am back they would review my salary but just one day prior they fired me. I am extremely stressed and I feel this was unfair

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

Hi Rubina, I'm so sorry to hear what you have gone through and it definitely does sound unfair. Depending on where you live and what your local employment laws are, you may have employment rights that entitle you to a settlement. Every country, state/ province is different so you'll have to do a little google research or talk to a local employment lawyer. If you were only with your employer a short time, it may be better just to forget them and move forward, but if you were there a long time it is worth looking into whether you have rights that protect you or entitle you to a severance package. I am glad to hear though that you are confident in your abilities to be extremely organized and accurate - focus on what you can offer a new employer and be sure to find one that will appreciate and value your strengths. (Watch my video on "Avoiding a Toxic Employer" to learn some red flags to look out for moving forward. I wish you all the best and if you do need help with anything related to a career change, job search strategy, resume or interview coaching - feel free to reach out to me through my website www.virtualjobsearchcoach.com and we can chat about how I can help you further. ~ Stacey ❣🌞

[@rubinarai165]

@@VirtualJobSearchCoach Hi Stacey, You are such an amazing person. Thank you for taking time to respond and for your kind and motivating words. I like in the UK and I have done some research but unfortunately nothing can be done if my employment tenure is less than 24 months. You have no idea how your reply has boosted my confidence, this was most required as I have a job interview tomorrow and I will be using your strategies. Thank you so much once again and may all good things come to you.

[@UniversoSpiritualUnido]

Thank you I wish you were my new boss, this is so helpful!

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

Thank you for your kind words! 🌞

[@JasonTaylor-po5xc]

I got fired from my first job out of college. The reason was rather complicated because many factors played into it - some within my control and many not. First, the reason given was that a deployed code into production that wasn't well tested that lead to a page on the site not working correctly. So, at first glance, I did something wrong and they canned me for it. This was the first time - one and done. Now, let's look at this in context. The company hired me directly out of college (offer 3 months in advance) since they acquired my award winning website and its data. They wanted me to join the team to help take it to the next level. However, one of the first things they changed was they added a login requirement that I never had on the site - like a pay wall - you could not use the site unless you registered with them. This had an instant and dramatic impact on traffic. As a result, they decided to shift direction about 3 times in a 6 month period. I should have left on my own at that point, but I was new to the workforce and Atlanta area so I was too afraid to jump and I didn't realize that I would be in a much stronger position looking for a new job while still employed. I also didn't want to be looked at as a "quitter." Only a month after my termination, the entire team was let go and the company restructured into a solo-project of the founder. Additionally, the company had no safeguards to prevent an engineer from deploying stuff directly into production without any real testing or oversight. We had no automated tests either - although it was still early days for that. This was actually a common practice among startups - but most understand that errors commonly happen and would not fire an employee over it - some even see it as a rite of passage. The Twitter "fail-whale" is its own meme. In the end, looking back 20+ years with plenty of industry experience, I think the writing was on the wall and the founder knew it. I made a mistake in my haste, which provided the "justification" to fire me. If the company was doing well, I believe I would not have been terminated. They might have laughed it off or given me a stern warning - who knows, but unlikely fired. They knew they were being fast and loose with production and sometimes mistakes happen. Startups know this and this is required in order to remain fast and flexible to be quick to market - this is the startup's "devil's bargain." The more controls you add, the safer things become but it also slows down development. I have also worked in the banking industry - with multiple approvals and both automated and manual testing where simple changes take months to deploy. However, I don't remember how I explained this to my prospective employers since that was over 20 years ago. I don't think many actually asked me about it, and, of course, I wasn't about to volunteer anything. When I was asked about it, the moment I mentioned "startup" - the actual reason became less of an issue (dot-com bubble was bursting). However, as a result, I have became a much more cautious and methodical software engineer - to the point that I'm actually a poor fit at most startups.

[@ChrissieDancer]

This was very insightful, thank you! Early in the video you mention wrongful dismissal/fired without just cause. Can you offer some tips for explaining that in an interview? I was hoping for an example explanation for that, though the other examples you provided gave me some ideas to piece something together. Thanks again!

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

Hi Chrissie, That’s a great question!! I’ll break this into 2 answers for you. First - simplified definitions: 1) Wrongful dismissal is usually a situation where the EMPLOYER is in the wrong….there are dozens of examples but it includes things like discrimination (age, race, sexual orientation, disability, religion, pregnancy) as well as things like retaliating against an employee for making a complaint, or an employer allowing situations of bullying or sexual harassment in the workplace. In most countries employees are protected against these topics through Employment/Labor Acts, Civil Rights and/or Human Rights Acts. 2) ‘Just Cause’ is when an EMPLOYEE has broken a law or policy such as committed theft or fraud or for serious misconduct issues - Just cause reasons are usually outlined in local (state/provincial or federal Employment Acts). 3) Being fired/dismissed ‘without just cause’ is usually a blanket for all other situations where there is no ‘just cause’ meaning the employee hasn’t done anything legally wrong or broken company policies, but it can also include things such as the employer deems there is no longer a ‘fit’ - such as performance issues or a company restructuring where a position is no longer needed or is made obsolete. Employers will usually provide a severance package when terminating an employee without just cause.

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

Chrissie - Part 2 of my answer: as for how to explain ‘without just cause’ in an interview - as you probably heard in my video - keep your answer short and sweet (less is more!). If your position was eliminated due to restructuring that’s a fairly easy one to explain. I often deal with clients who were let go ‘without cause’ and aren’t given a clear reason why - which is frustrating and confusing. Often times it’s a performance issue, occasionally it’s a personality issue (ex. new supervisor that doesn’t get along with you). Of course there are a hundreds of ‘without cause’ reasons and without knowing the specifics of your situation it’s hard for me to advise on exactly what to say but my best advice is to be honest yet concise,(don’t get into details, if it was restructuring or downsizing just say so, if it was a performance issue - did the job specifications change and it was no longer a fit for you? (it happens - there’s nothing wrong with that). People make mistakes in life/work, the key is to learn from them, make positive changes and someone else will give you another chance. If you were let go due to performance issues, consider what you learned, what you can do to improve/change (ie. Improve your skills in relevant areas), what action you’ve taken and that can become part of your answer to focus it towards a positive spin. Ex: “I was let go because my job changed to include a lot of Excel work which I had no experience in, but I recently completed an online Excel course and I’m excited to put my new found skills to use in this role!”. Keep in mind most employers have had to let people go before so they understand the myriad of possible reasons - and trust me, unless you’ve been fired for cause… when a potential employer is impressed by your resume (experience), your personality, accomplishments and attitude etc - they are more interested in what you can do for them and if you are a good fit for their role, their team and their environment, than focusing on the reason you were let go from a past job. I hope that helps! 😊

[@williambaez1288]

Thank you, it was and excellent and helpful video :)

[@kaGinamos]

Thank you for this wonderful video really helps me to move on. Newly dismissed I felt I fall into depression until I watch this video help me to align my goals back on track again.

[@jazzyjaz2024]

This video is so incredibly helpful ❤❤❤ THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!

[@jamesklapetzky8633]

I can definitely associate with the last story about having Personal problems interferes with work.

[@keepingupwiththekatchings9959]

This was a great video. I’ve learned so much.

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

I'm so glad you liked it and found it helpful! 🌞

[@ChanelsoPink]

Thank you for the positive spin!❤

[@howru7146]

I'm glad I've found this channel. This is my struggle I got terminated and I think it's unfair because we were not given proper training and support and a mismatch too. Is it okay to mention this without being negative? I get panic attack when my phone rings for a job interview.

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

Unfortunately I can't give you a simple answer on this without more details...(how long you worked in the role, did you ask for more training and were denied? were you given performance reviews? etc). There are a lot of variables to consider in order to formulate a strategic response to future employers about why you were fired. If you are truly getting panic attacks when the phone rings for a job interview then you may want to consider some interview coaching. I know what it is like to struggle with anxiety and triggers and as an interview coach, I can teach you some techniques and strategies to deal with your anxiety when it comes to interviews but also help you formulate strong answers to some of the hardest questions asked - so you feel confident in how to respond. If you would like to setup a paid coaching session, please feel free to email me through my website contact page. www.virtualjobsearchcoach.com 🌞

[@devinevessel]

Loved the micromanagement example one!

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

I'm glad you liked it! Thanks for your comment 🌞

[@erikascheufele3624]

Thank you for sharing

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

Thanks for watching!🌞

[@davidskomba7142]

Wonderful..thanks

[@pcrsynth]

This was great! Thank you

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

Glad it was helpful! 🌞

[@lenbenito9234]

Thank you for enlightening me.

[@julievetter8461]

Great and useful information on how to respond to why you were terminated! Thank you!

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

Thanks for your comment Julie. Explaining why you are terminated from a job is hard for most people so I'm very glad you found my advice useful!

[@PapaP1965]

I have a difficult one to explain to an interviewer. My boss hated me and was forcing me out for personal biases. I wasn't the right fit for the position and I was upfront with her about that. However, she took personal bias and greatly exaggerated my shortcomings to the point of making me look unfit for any job. How do I explain that I quit so I wouldn't be fired? How can I be fair to myself but avoid negativity and bad mouthing the former boss? Help!

[@rickandmarshaerickson5299]

Good information which I will implement in my next interview.

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

Thanks for your comment and I'm so glad you found this helpful 🌞

[@miketacos9034]

Genuinely great advice, thank you!

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

Thanks for your comment Mike! I'm glad you found it helpful! 🌞

[@TheMCL2]

Great examples

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

Thanks Mario! I'm glad you liked them. They are all true stories from some of my clients...hoping they help others with similar situations.

[@zeesyed5237]

Hi Stacey! Thanks for the amazing video. Unfortunately, I was fired last week. The reason I was given was that I was not a good fit although my employer volunteered and gave me an extremely nice reference letter. Though I have 10 years of experience in the industry, but the company I was terminated from was more tech-based. My manager was happy with my work and gave me positive feedback and my clients were extremely happy and satisfied with my work as well. I was given a phenomenal performance review at the end of my probation. I only lacked the tech side that I needed more training on, so I asked for extra training but because I was leading projects, I didn’t get time to complete my training effectively which I communicated to my manager. In the end, the coworker who led the projects before it was handed over to me to lead, sabotaged my position in front of the boss, and I was terminated.

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

Hi Zee, Thanks for sharing your story and I am very sorry to hear you were terminated. It sounds like you have some positive things to focus on and speak to (based on your performance reviews) if questioned in interviews about why you were terminated, so focus on those positive things. It is horrible that a coworker sabotaged you in front of the boss - I've seen this happen to many people and what is more unfortunate is that your employer didn't recognize what was happening! Be confident in your abilities and focus on talking about what your strengths are in your line of work. If you need more detailed coaching on how to talk about this in interviews with potential employers, I do provide one-to-one coaching sessions, so feel free to reach out to me through my website contact page www.virtualjobsearchcoach.com and we can setup a session. 🌞

[@ryans413]

Best way around this is too just be straight up my current job I got right away when in the interview I just said works been hard too find I need a job I’ll give it my best go. Next question from the boss man was do you have a car boots gloves and hammer. Of course I lied but I was going to go purchase all that anyways and then he said you can start tomorrow and I think he saw I was willing to work so even if you get fired don’t stress over it you will get another job

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

That's great advice Ryan! Employers love people with the right attitude and a willingness to work and learn! Sounds like you have great perseverance which will take you far❣🌞

[@kimmy1365]

What would you do if a company accuses you of gross misconduct when you haven't actually done anything but they still fire you

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

Hi Kimmy, I'm so sorry I didn't see your message before today (apparently my notifications aren't working properly grrr!). In this situation I would suggest contacting an employment lawyer to discuss your situation. Gross misconduct is a serious accusation and if it is untrue then you may have a case and be entitled at the very least to a significant severance package.

[@fisgeb5225]

Lovely, presentation. You are awesome! My manager terminated me during my probation and she suggested I apply for smaller settings and would be happy to give reference. Do you think it is a good idea to put here as a reference?

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

Hi Fisseha Gebre, Thanks for your kind comment❣ If your manager says they are ‘happy’ to give a reference then I would take that as a good sign that they want to help you move forward in a positive way. However, something to keep in mind - If they feel you are better suited to a ‘smaller setting’ then I assume they felt you either didn’t fit well with the team or you weren’t able to keep up with the workload or learn the requirements of the job quickly enough because they are a ‘large setting’…so this could raise a concern to a potential new employer. I would suggest you ask for more feedback on why they feel you are better suited to a smaller setting. If the reason could raise concerns for a future new employer… you could consider not listing that employer on your resume and not mentioning them in an interview - if you were there less than 3 months you probably didn’t gain enough experience in that short time to be valuable enough anyway so it may be simpler to omit them rather than explaining the reason for being terminated. I hope that helps. 🌞

[@garrettlh9482]

Mine was strategy 3 honestly regret everything 😢😢😢😢😢 I’m honestly so sad and embarrassed ❤ I need this right now

[@ivanc.6064]

1. 6:51 - Clash with manager; Lesson: These things just sometimes happen; 2. 7:07 - Clash with business philosophy; Lesson: Find a better matched company; 3. 7:39 - Clash with supervisor; Lesson: They outgrew their position; 4. 8:17 - Out of their depth with responsibilities; Lesson: Sales can be a very challenging field; 5. 9:17 - Out of their depth with role; Lesson: Stick to what you know; 6. 9:52 - Late too many times; Lesson: Work closer to home; 7. 10:51 - No smoke breaks; Lesson: Quit smoking; 8. 12:04 - No clear job description; Lesson: Be more confident to ak more questions; 9. 13:05 - Personal problems; Lesson: These things just sometimes happen;

[@noelgibson5956]

I had an experience years ago where are boss who was interviewing me was generally.......just unpleasant and looked like he was sick of things in general. He grunted whenever I spoke. When the interview concluded, he started shouting at a female worker in the corridor. He never called me back.......and I would have said no if he had.

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

Wise decision Noel! That's definitely an example of the kind of boss he would be and who wants a boss like that! I think sometimes employers forget that an interview is not just about them deciding who they want to hire, but also an opportunity for the potential employee to decide if they want to work for that employer! Thanks for sharing your example!

[@noelgibson5956]

@@VirtualJobSearchCoach Cheers😃

[@HelenFeng-lz9lm]

Hello Stacey, thank you so much for your video. I didn't pass the probation 2 weeks ago. It's my first full-time job after graduation, so I can't omit it in my resume. My former manager said I'm not suitable for this position, which is more in a senior level. And I don't trust anyone in my former company to give me a good reference. Besides, I'm worried that they will disclose any details of the termination to my prospective employer. I feel so puzzled and anxious these days. Could you please give me some advice? Best wishes!

[@ashleylavergne4327]

Thanks, girlie. And love the bear painting behind you. Are you a mama bear?!

[@mimimunoz-o8z]

Thank you so much

[@simoma625]

Many thanks for practical insights and advice. Very helpful. Only one suggestion, the dings and bells inserted into the video were too sharp and hurt ear drums when heard via earbuds. Wish these could be tuned down or eliminated.

[@chloebio5297]

Hi I was fired but when I asked the HR manager how to explain it in the interview, they told me that the information is confidential and they won’t be disclosing it with anyone. She kind of implied I can say whatever I want, I just won’t have a reference. Can I lie and say I was laid off?

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

Great question Chloe! Firstly, I'm so sorry to hear you were fired. Secondly, I would never advise anyone to lie (refer to tips #1 and #2 in my video)- you could end up creating a bigger problem for yourself. Your past employer may mean they won't divulge the "reason" for termination but it doesn't mean they won't confirm you were fired vs laid off or that you quit - so it is risky to state otherwise. What most employers with a 'no reference' policy will do is confirm employment (meaning they will confirm your employment dates and job title, but they won't give details on your performance or the reason you left, however if asked 'why did she leave' they may say something like "the reason for termination is confidential" (but the word termination often implies being fired). But if asked if you quit or were fired they may say, "the reason is confidential but I can confirm the person did not quit...or was fired")...do you understand what I mean? If you tell a potential employer you were laid off and they find out you were actually fired, then you could lose out on a job offer. If asked why you left your last job, keep it as simple as possible. If you were fired for "just cause" (ie. you stole from your employer) then that's always more challenging to explain. If you were fired without cause (ie. you got a new boss and you didn't get along and they just wanted you gone) then try something similar to examples 1 and 2 in my video. If you need further help on developing a strategy around what to say or how to explain why you left your last job and why you can't provide a reference from your past employer, you are welcome to email me (address at bottom of video description) to book a paid appointment. Remember, people get fired all the time and it's not a death sentence (although I know it might feel like it right now). Everyone makes mistakes now and then. If you did something wrong, learn from it, forgive yourself and move forward - life is too short not to! It's through making mistakes that we learn, grow and become better people! If you didn't do anything wrong that caused you to lose your job then it's your past employer's loss. Be confident in yourself and your abilities and what you can bring to your next employer. 🌞

[@hotwireman49]

I'm 65. I had my last job for 4 days. They "let me go" on the morning of the 5th day. I am hard at hearing. I have severe tinnitus. I can't make out conversation even in a small room with more than 2 people. With one person, I have to say, "what?" or "sorry?" a lot. They knew it. I told them at the interview. Matter of fact, I did that a lot at the interview. They wouldn't tell me why they let me go, only that it "wasn't a good fit." What now?

[@MPS72192]

If I was fired, but while in the process the company was bought out and there were restructurings, can I say my job was redundant ?

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

That's an excellent question Michael - thanks for asking! Without knowing the full story, in general, I would say yes, however, keep in mind if you are asked for a reference from that employer what would they say? If you were terminated 'for cause' (eg. you broke a policy, theft, etc) and you left on bad terms that might be a bit tricky. What you don't want to do is get caught in a lie. If you left on good terms (not all terminations mean you are leaving on bad terms), you could ask if your past employer would support giving the reason as your job was ended or made redundant due to restructuring. I hope that helps. 🌞

[@angelflores879]

Its really hard to find job, once they knew that your terminated from your previous job they wont accept you😢

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

I am sorry if that is your experience Angel but being terminated is not a death sentence. Thousands of people are terminated every day and find new jobs. What is important is the reason you were terminated and how you explain it. If you were fired because you did something wrong then a future employer wants to know that you learned from it and that it won't happen again if they hire you. If you are struggling with how to explain to employers why you were fired then considering hiring a Career Coach to help you explain your answer. Don't give up! 😊

[@helenarichard]

How could they find out? It's illegal for employers to get references behind your back. Repeat with me until the entire internet knows.

[@cheyannerae499]

@@VirtualJobSearchCoach Hi Stacey - I was terminated because my employer wrote me a note asking me to make 4 copies of keys for the building. I left because my shift was done and didn’t acknowledge the notes. She later texted me asking if I read it and I responded no. She sent me back a video of me reading it from the back camera’s and told me she couldn’t trust me and let me go. I didn’t realize how big of a deal it was until she was so upset with me. I am feeling really stuck on how to move past this and communicate highly with future employees regarding the situation. Is there a better way of explaining the situation short & brief?

[@sherrylepinski6176]

@@helenarichard I hope your right cause I just lost my job of 14 yrs and when I asked why she said she didn't have to give a reason . I don't know what I am going to do 😪

[@mrdumpson1710]

@@cheyannerae499 Nothing worse then a female that lies...She's right you can't be trusted

[@karl28560]

The manager didn't make the deposit in the bank. I didn't call him and tell him he forgot before closing. I got terminated by the DM. Then the employment commission denies me benefits because "it's reasonable that I should have by company policy". I just want to puke! 🤢 o,o,o,ore1lly

[@swhalum]

Thanks for this super helpful info!

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

You are very welcome. I am glad you found it helpful! 😁

[@Twinville2]

I was terminated 3 weeks ago for violating the company's non-disclosure agreement because I spoke publicly on my Facebook page about my wages and the raise I was given after my excellent performance review 2 days earlier. I'm 56 yrs old and have never been terminated. I was out of the work force for over 20 years due to being a stay at home mom and homeschooling my 3 kids until graduation. The last paid job I worked was when social media and the internet didn't even exist, and I had never worked a job before that had a non-disclosure agreement, so I truly didn't understand all of the implications. But now I'm anxious about how to respond to a potential employer when they ask why I was terminated from my last job. Do you have any advise for me?

[@jtowensbyiii6018]

get a lawyer

[@Rainmakesflowers]

I work from home and I was accused of not working while on the clock. I sent them 4 emails filled with time stamped work activity after sending them proof of my work activity for the dates in question they never met to go over my proof instead 10 days later I was terminated and not allowed to ask any questions because that would have forced them to lie to my face. I’ve since emailed the CEO of the company because it was a complete lie. While I am currently waiting for a response back from the CEO I have applied for unemployment also, I’ve submitted my resume and I have a phone interview tomorrow. How do I answer the question “why were you terminated” while being fair to myself and avoiding speaking negatively about my past employer?

[@loriannblattenberg]

Thank you. More on Nursing Healthcare Workforce for LVN or RN’s.

[@redrier5363]

There used to be a time when you had a personnel department to turn to for help. But sometime in the 80's it became all about Human Resources where the personnel department worked solely for the interest of the company and not for the employees. I know, I am old enough to know about this as a senior and I worked in the personnel department. It was all about protecting the company from costs...... money, money, money. Today the HR Dept really does not care about employees because everyone is an expendable part of the company culture. So sad.

[@ivanc.6064]

Great thanks do you have an example with bad cultural fit?

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

Hi Ivan, Thanks for your question. Do you mean an example of being fired because of a bad cultural fit? I do have a video on how to avoid a bad employer where I talk a bit about culture in the workplace kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpCkgntrhq6tr80. but if you are looking more for an example of being fired for bad fit please let me know and I'll definitely work on a video for that.

[@ivanc.6064]

@@VirtualJobSearchCoach wow that would be fantastic thanks

[@kathleensaciuk4225]

What would you say if you were in sales and was let go because you did not meet sales goals/benchmark.

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

That's a tough one Kathleen! There are many things that can impact not meeting sales goals - some are in your control and some are not. You need to first ask yourself what prevented you from meeting the sales goals - was it in your control or not? If it was, then maybe it is time to reflect on whether you are in the right career or industry? If you are struggling with how to explain this to future employers or you want to consider a career change, I do offer coaching services. I invite you to visit my website and book a free discovery call to chat about how I can help. www.virtualjobsearchcoach.com ~ Stacey 🌞

[@kathleensaciuk4225]

Thank you for your response and thoughts Stacey. Much appreciated!@@VirtualJobSearchCoach

[@Aceman-rz8it]

What can I do when you going to get fired at 52 and in the same job for 24 years.

[@tiffanyalvarez1363]

Hello i was terminated for excessive bleeding of the gums at work, i had some teeth pulled a few days before, i was told to leave for the shift by the plant manager, there reason is i went over my attendance points when they required me to leave and had me call a designated driver to pick me up. saying i was a liability as i was getting light headed from bleeding. is there anything i can do? im in illinois.

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

Hi Tiffany! I am so sorry to hear what you've just gone through. It certainly sounds like you've been treated unfairly. Employment and human rights laws are different in every state so I would suggest you do some research on your rights or consult an employment lawyer for legal advice. Here are 2 links specific for Illinois that might help: Dept of Human Rights: www2.illinois.gov/dhr/Pages/default.aspx Dept of Labor: www2.illinois.gov/idol/Employees/Pages/default.aspx I hope you are feeling soon!

[@TheScoobysnack08]

How do you save a state pension while being terminated?

[@GrowthGame121]

The best way to explain it is don’t…. Erase the job from your CV and say you left your previous job to travel the world that’s why there’s a gap in employment for months You will come across inspiring!

[@jennsteele5387]

I have an excellent work ethic, am punctual and reliable, but i was accused of being a bad influence on younger coworkers. I can't explain that.

[@mtb8599]

What should I say when I accidentally exposed some of my bosses knowledge gaps and attempted to correct the issues she created and she began to sabotage and frame me until she crafted some very silly scenarios to try to make me look bad and used that as a reason for the firing?I have a history of being promoted at every company I've ever worked for and have never been fired. How do I explain this?

[@Paula-sw2tt]

I have a question. Isn't it against the law not to give your employees breaks and can't they do what they want on those breaks? Just curious.

[@fadeddenims501]

When the boss prefers a different person rather than me and that person is a boyfriend to another employee? Heresay info was produced, and the offer from the boss was that I should work under the new GM or leave. I left because the info was heresay and HR procedure was not conducted that it would be best to be fired, or leave. Would this fall under "mutual agreement"? And could it be briefly explained with the following: The boss had a preference for another person. However whle I was there I learned a lot about the business, the profits went up dramatically, and when necessary I could fill in for people if they were absent due to whatever reason.....What's your opinion on this?

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

Great question! My suggestion is to keep your answer as simple as possible and focus on the positive that you have to offer. I wouldn't say the 'boss preferred someone else" instead focus on what you have to offer....you could say something like this: "I applied for a promotion and unfortunately was the 'runner up' (the role was given to another employee). I feel very ready to take on more challenge (or ready for the next step in my career) and therefore I decided it was time to find another opportunity - that's why when I saw your ad for a (job title) I was excited to apply! I feel I would be a great fit because...." (then talk about what makes you the best fit for the role and the company. Instead of focusing on the negative of why you left your last role you are redirecting the focus to what you bring to the new employer and the role you are applying for. Does that make sense?

[@fadeddenims501]

@@VirtualJobSearchCoach It makes perfect sense, except I was the GM and I got demoted to Assistant GM or I could leave.

[@prateekmahurkar1704]

I was fired for company policy violation. I was on a call with the customer who was facing huge losses because of the company and he was really angry and was shouting on the call. It took me around 15 minutes to calm him down. I said to him that I will be back with a solution to the problem in an hour and was putting the receiver down. The customer had disconnected the call but it wasn't from my end. While I was going to disconnect, in this regret that my performance was not good on call, I murmured an inappropriate/ abusive word to myself which got recorded on call. It came under zero tolerance policy and though my manager did not wanted to, she had to do this. This is my reason of termination. Please tell me how do I explain this in interviews ?

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

Hi Prateek, Thanks for sharing your story. I am sorry to hear what has happened to you. You are in one of the most challenging jobs - customer service! It is great when we have nice, happy, and wonderful customers, but we also know you can get more than plenty disgruntled, rude or angry customers too. It can be very hard to maintain your composure, be polite, friendly and kind 100% of the time, especially when you have someone being rude or shouting at you on the phone. So first of all, give yourself a pat on the back for all of the previous good and bad customers you have dealt with well. You are human and you aren’t the only person who has hung up a call and sworn out of frustration (I’ve done it myself 😊) and I have no doubt many of your colleagues have done the same. The unfortunate part of your situation was the recording was still going. The way you told your story here is almost perfect - you admitted your mistake (one that I think almost everyone can relate to - including future interviewers), you pointed out the zero-tolerance policy AND that your manager didn’t want to terminate you but had no choice because of the policy. The only missing piece is to briefly explain what you learned from this experience and what you would do in future to make sure this never happens again. (ex. Read a book on handling stress, anger management… or maintaining your cool under pressure or do some internet research to learn some new strategies to deal with difficult customers)…. because your future employer will want to feel assured that you have learned from your mistake and have taken actions to prevent it from happening again or would handle it better if faced with the same situation working for them. Do you understand what I mean? You made 1 mistake but it doesn't define you. Be confident in your skills and abilities and you will do fine! 🌞

[@prateekmahurkar1704]

@@VirtualJobSearchCoach Thank you so much for replying. So this isn't a major infraction and I will be fine if I explain it this way ? Actually I will be giving interviews for top business schools next year.

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

@@prateekmahurkar1704 In my opinion Yes. It's always better to be truthful. In the big picture of life, your infraction was very minor and any future employer who doesn't want to hire you because of your little mistake, is not an employer you should want to work for anyway.

[@prateekmahurkar1704]

@@VirtualJobSearchCoach thank you so much 😊

[@mab3900]

What to do if you are terminated because they think you aren't efficient enough?

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

Thanks for your question. Unfortunately that’s not a question I can answer simply because as a Career Coach it raises a dozen more questions for me. What line of work were you in? Is there truth to your employer’s comment about your lack of efficiency? If so what are the reasons? If the reasons are justified then I would explore why weren’t you efficient (maybe you didn’t enjoy the work, maybe your employer didn’t provide adequate training, maybe you didn’t feel valued by your employer and lacked motivation, maybe your typing speed is to slow for example (which can easily be improved), etc….the list goes on) People tend to be more efficient when they like what they do, feel good about it and strive to be the best at it. Maybe you just aren’t cut out for that type of work and if so that’s okay - it just means you need to figure out what you are good at (what you have an interest and aptitude for), what you enjoy and what would motivate you.…and that’s where a career coach can help you determine that. If this is something you would like help with, please feel free to email me (email at the bottom of my video descriptions) and I would be happy to provide you a quote on my services. If you truly loved your work and there is truth to your employer saying you aren’t efficient enough - you need to explore how you can improve and take action to improve your skills in those areas. If it is a productivity issue - check out my 2 recent videos Parts 1 and 2 on “How to Improve Your Productivity at Work” - you might find some helpful tips there. Efficiency and Productivity are not the same as you’ll hear me talk about in strategy #23 (part 2) but sometimes by incorporating strategies that improve productivity it can lead to increased efficiency. I know that doesn’t directly answer your question but I hope that helps gives you some direction on things to explore. 🌞

[@helenarichard]

Wow you really make effort to reply. I'm saving this vid for if i need a job again later cause I feel insufficient in my current job and I want to be mentally prepared to look. Again. Celebration: 10th job in 4 years. Yikes.

[@meep_murp8758]

I was fired after getting scammed over the phone. I'm still embarrassed about how gullible I was and am still trying to find a way to try to explain this without looking foolish.

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

Hi Meep! Thank you for sharing your story and I'm so sorry I am only seeing your comment now. I'm sorry you were fired as a result of being scammed. There are a lot of scam artists out there who are very talented at sounding legitimate and prey on those who are trusting. Forgive yourself for being gullible and use it as a learning experience. We all make mistakes and making mistakes is what builds us into stronger and better people - if we never made mistakes we would never learn anything right? The important thing is to demonstrate to an employer that you learned from the experience and explain what you would do differently to ensure this doesn't happen to you again. If you are still struggling with how to explain what happened or if you feel it is holding you back from getting job offers after an interview - please consider reaching out to me for customized interview coaching. (you can email me at [e-mail]) kind regards ~ Stacey 🌞

[@vijaysep24]

I was terminated for hiring my spouse in same project. Help me with this Situation to deal it

[@jackcarraway4707]

Any job you've been fired from should be left off your resume entirely.

[@griffithdavey2]

What about when they ask "why wasn't it a good fit?"

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

Hi Dave, That is such a great question but one that is hard for me to answer as every situation and reason can be different....but generally when an employer says 'it's not a good fit" it either means a personality fit or a skills fit with the team (or department, organization or manager, etc - like I said every scenario is different)....or sometimes it's a culture fit with the customers or the industry. For example - someone can be very personable and have what most people consider great communication skills, BUT, maybe the type of clientele for the business doesn't match well with this person's sense of humour or style of communication and complaints have been made by customers....so the employer says "it not a good fit". It doesn't mean the person had done anything wrong necessarily, or that they are a bad employee, or that they provide poor customer service, they are just not an good fit with that particular environment...and if they are causing a business to lose customers or are getting lots of complaints then you can probably understand why the employer feels it is not a good fit. Sometimes it can be about performance too.....for example if you have 6 sales people on a team and one consistently brings in the least new sales....the employer may feel they are just not a good fit for that type of work or that industry. On the flip side sometimes employees quit a job because "it wasn't a good fit" from their perspective and again there can be a couple dozen reasons or definitions of why it wasn't a good fit for them. I work with lots of clients who are terminated from jobs and are told 'it just wasn't a good fit" but then are not given any clear explanation by the employer as to why and that is extremely frustrating for the person....it leaves them confused, doubting themselves, and a myriad of emotions from shock, anger, hurt to resentment, bitterness and depression, and that also makes it hard for them to explain in interviews why they were let go from a past employer. One of the things I do as a coach is try to help the person determine what the cause might have been and whether it is something the person needs to work on, or if it was the employer that was the issue and then we come up with a strategy and story to explain it in future job interviews. I've had clients who have been in the same company and/or job for 10+ years with good performance reviews year after year and then are suddenly terminated and told 'it's not a good fit" - that is always a weird one and 99% of the time the employee has done absolutely nothing wrong. I also know from experience that sometimes employers don't want to give specific reasons because they fear being sued. Every country, state and province has different employment laws and human rights laws, many of which protect the employee not the employer...however there are also states in the US that have 'at will' termination laws which in my opinion are unfair and do not protect the employee from unfair terminations. Canada has very strong employment and human rights laws both federally and provincially that protect employees from unjust firings. I hope those explanations help a little. I do offer customized one-to-one coaching so if you are struggling with how to explain why you were terminated, or why it wasn't a good fit that is certainly something I can help you work through. If you want to consider some coaching you can reach out to me through my contact page on my website www.virtualjobsearchcoach.com and we can discuss options. ~ Stacey 🌞

[@johnmknox]

It is terrible that your husband was fired for having a cigarette. I wonder if he would have been fired if he had his legs and bottom half of his body inside the door or window but his head and top half of his body hanging outside the window, door or enterance and smoking a cigarette?

[@loleatha1078]

What to do when former manager text you a long angry text one after you are no longer an employee, 1 week after I was Falsely accusing you of different things. After I was wrongful laidoff

[@DXR4488]

Sue

[@bobbiedylan9758]

How do you take responsibility for something you didn’t do?

[@saffirechanning7286]

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! If I get asked why I was fired from my last job, can I just say that I got entangled in some 'inter-office politics' , which had nothing to do with my work performance? Does that sound like a satisfactory answer to that question? I think so. What do you think, huh?

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

Hi Saffire, I just found your comment today as my notifications haven't been working so my apologies for the delayed response. If I were your interviewer and you gave me that answer, it would raise a red flag for me. I would be wondering if you were the cause of the inter-office politics, or did you not respond appropriately to a situation happening within the office? - that may show you didn't use good judgement. Work performance is only one element of being a good employee. Attitude, appropriate behaviour, using good judgement etc are other elements employers look for and want in an employee. You may need to elaborate on your answer with a little more explanation that proves you were not the cause. If you made a bad decision that's okay - we all do it sometimes - learn from it and if appropriate explain the mistake you made and what you learned from it to give the potential employer confidence in hiring you. 🌞

[@kersymelenciano6107]

What if you were fired after a month for no reason?

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

Unfortunately if you were fired within your probationary period (which is usually 3 months and in some cases 6 months) then the employer does not have to give a reason for termination. Keep in mind if you were only employed for a month you don't need to mention it to a future employer nor do you need to include it on your resume. 🌞

[@kersymelenciano6107]

@@VirtualJobSearchCoach Thank you so much! I wont include that experience in the future. I really appreciate your help!

[@petercdowney]

Sure, I'll tell the truth. I'll make it known that I had a manager who was too critical to be an ally. But I'll balance it out by pointing out that the previous manager was actually supportive of me.

[@jeffsauceda]

Ty ty ty

[@supersmart671]

Starts around 4:18..

[@nnm7761]

Tell them your boss was a d i c k and you quit lol

[@kristineannesalcedo5933]

is fired and terminated same

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

That's a great question Kristine! The short answer is "no". Termination is a broad term for "end of employment" so if someone is “terminated”, it could be because the employee quit by their own choice, the employer has laid them off (often because of downsizing) or the employee was ‘"fired" (usually for a specific reason or sometimes for a ‘just cause’ - just cause reasons are defined under your local Employment Act or Labour laws). The term “fired” means the employer ended the employment (or terminated the employment) against the will of the employee (not by the employee’s choice). I hope that helps clarify things for you. 🌞

[@kristineannesalcedo5933]

@@VirtualJobSearchCoach Does end of contract then apply to me ? Because I was working for approx. 4 months and I believe that is still under probationary period. Is it ok to say that my contract is terminated/ ended?

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

@@kristineannesalcedo5933 Hi Kristine, Probationary periods can vary by employer - typically probationary periods are 3 or 6 months. You can say your contract ended - just keep in mind that if your potential new employer wants to contact your previous employer for a reference - will they be telling the same story? Depending on the circumstances I sometimes suggest to my clients if they have been in a job for a short period and were terminated then don’t include the job on your resume, so you could consider that as well. If you were in a temporary or contract job then put (temporary) or (contract) next to your employment dates on your resume as that shows the employer it was a short-term job and prevents questions from being raised about the short employment dates. Hope that helps! 🌞

[@BrettKnows]

9:17

[@peternorthrup6274]

Whatever you do. Don't put on your resume that you worked at twitter.Your resume will go right to the bottom of the pile. Right off the bat they will know your used to riding the Train through life. And it's all about the perks. They need someone that shows up everyday. And doesn't take Mondays and Fridays off on a regular basis. Remember. You got fired for a reason. Tell them you were working at Starbucks. Anything but twitter. Don't drive your tesla to the interview. Drive your moms 20 year old Toyota. And don't wear sneakers. Get a haircut.

[@Trust788]

Why should i have to lie pretending i left on good terms when i had a toxic jealous boss

[@dr.roberts4508]

I had over 60 Job's

[@TeeKayKay]

12:04

[@vallindionhanex]

10:51

[@TheMochaangel]

How would you explain this question if the several firings were racially motivated…? I’m meaning legal cases ensued and I was the victor in two of the cases, and one was left undetermined by the state of MN . I need guidance in this. Unfortunately I was residing in a small town in MN where often I was the only African American professional in the office. Also, I’m leery about directly leaving my supervisor as reference and have been solely leaving the h.r. director, is this frowned upon ???

[@VirtualJobSearchCoach]

Thanks for your question TheMochaangle and I’m so sorry to hear what you have had to go through - it is sad and frustrating how much racism still exists in the 21st century! It needs to stop! I am glad to hear you stood up for yourself and won 2 cases - it is action like that which will push for positive change. Your situation is complex and unfortunately the answer to your first question is not something I can answer simply in a couple of sentences. A lot more discussion would be required and I would recommend hiring a career coach or interview coach who can help you strategize on how to explain the firing situations to potential employers. If this is something you would like help with, please feel free to email me (email at the bottom of my video descriptions) and I would be happy to provide you a quote on my services. As for your second question regarding references. You are NOT required to give your former supervisor as a reference. YOU get to decide who you want to provide as your references, BUT you should always make sure you have the willingness, agreement, and permission of the people you would like to use as your references. If you didn’t have a good relationship with your past supervisor or they were involved negatively in your legal case then you definitely don’t want to use them, but check with the HR Director to see if they are willing to provide a reference for you before giving out their name and contact info. Also depending on what type of role you were in, you may be able to ask other colleagues in the company to be references for you. Check out my video on “Who to Ask For References...” kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6C4mpx9f86Woqs . I hope that helps ~ Stacey 🌞

[@karenbaird7402]

😀

[@PhotoJeticPoet]

😂 orrrrrrr just lie to these jobs. Tell them you've never been fired and why do you even have to explain being laid off? People please play in these jobs faces like they play in ours. You don't need an excuse or round about way to say anything just lie from jump and have a friend pretend to be the manager and give the job your friends number under the Job history contact information.

[@cory3518]

The smoker story is both embarrassing and hilarious.

[@karl28560]

BTW. She's cute! I'm not employed so I can say that!

[@malikmalik1141]

Everything that you are saying sounds good in theory but people cam see through all the rhetoric. People arent stupid. If someone ask you why did you leave your last job , and you start to explain a lie , they know youre lying.

[@malikmalik1141]

But can your new employee find out why you were fired.

[@larahporter8123]

Can contact HR and... ppl talk.

[@cheythedime.7]

Thank you so much for these examples!