Like all things in life, getting fired is a reality. Of course, sometimes the job may be so pathetic that you are really happy that you were kicked off the job, while other times the job was really good for you and you tried your best not to get fired.
This article provides the input on how to handle the ‘why were you fired?’ interview question and how to explain why you were fired at your next interview.
After reading this article, you may also refer to the articles –
1. How to face an interview.
2. Difficult interview questions, tricky interview questions.
3. Why did you leave you last job.
The basic stigma of being a ‘fired’ professional has had different meanings over time. Just three or five years ago, if you were fired, you would be considered to be a good for nothing, and someone who lost his or her job due to their own doings. However, after the economic slowdown and the number of belly ups, sackings and mergers that it brought with it, being fired means that you have everyone’s sympathy – right from your loved ones to your friends and neighbors.
Explaining why you were fired
When it comes to your next job interview, the question of ‘why were you fired’ holds the key to whether or not you would be considered for the job. Keeping in view the recent economic downturn, it goes without saying that if you have recently been fired by your company; this question will pop up during the course of the interview.
There are two well-known reasons for being fired:
1. Manpower cutbacks due to company financial problems.
2. Differences, difficulties and finally a “divorce”.
Obviously, the first reason is easier to explain while the second is much more complicated.
Firstly, one should prepare his or her answer well before the interview. Adding the experience learnt (the lesson learned) is a good mature way to answer this question.
Some guidelines for the ways to tell why you were fired from your last job:
1. Explain the real reason – by all means. However, it shouldn’t sound like a confession.
2. Do not tell lies. Lies cannot be covered up – especially not these lies.
3. Do not blame your previous job, previous bosses or colleagues.
4. Provide a short and crisp answer.
5. Check your body language and tone of voice when answering.
Therefore, here is a good basic approach to answering the question:
1. Tell why you did not meet your previous job requirements. Explain the different competencies and your expectations.
2. Your learning experience.
Tips on how to handle ‘why were you fired?’ interview questions
To be very frank, being fired means that there has been some miscalculation or misjudgment either on the part of the employer or on the part of the employee.
The new recruiter will therefore try hard to find out whether the mistake was on part of the employer or the employee. He will try to find out whether the employee’s qualifications are suited to their requirements.
Because of the complicated nature of the knowledge required, the question will be well thought out and the wording of the question will be such that it might not be simple to understand what the question actually means.
Your relationship with your previous employer
Basically, you do not provide the complete answer to this question during the interview, but more so it depends on how you have interacted with your previous employers during your employment or even during the last month of your employment with them.
Therefore, make sure that you have a cordial relationship with your employers throughout and after your employment. Most job interviewers today ask for references from people for whom you have worked and from people with whom you have worked. This is an endeavor pursued to get first-hand knowledge as to the nature of your relationship with your peers and superiors.
Your references
Also, make sure that you choose the references carefully. The reference’s job profile should not be equivalent or too similar to your job profile. There have been several cases where the reference has been called for an interview and has been hired instead of the person who had actually applied for the interview.
Why you shouldn’t lay the blame
This brings us to the questions related to your previous job. If you have recently left a very taxing and stressful job, you might feel that it is quite gratifying to say bad things about your previous job. Some may also think that saying bad things about your previous jobs may endear you to the interviewer – sadly that is not the case.
Remember that you are cribbing about one employer in the presence of your would be the future employer. This might conjure up a negative idea in the mind of your future employer.
Read Further at: frequently asked interview questions.