Memories of being fired tend to be traumatic. “Have you ever been fired?” may be the last question we want to be asked, but interviewers may bring it up. In this post I explore how to answer interview questions about being fired.
What’s the best way to answer?
First of all, realize that having been fired is probably more of a big deal to you than it is to the prospective employer.
Make your answer short and sweet: brief and emotionally neutral.
Here are good examples:
- I was a valued member of the team for five years. Then a new manager came in (or there was a reorganization, or the company was bought) and many people were let go, including me. The new manager then filled the team with people he had worked with at a past company. It’s a blessing in disguise for me, because now I’m here interviewing for this exciting opportunity.
- Looking back, I’ve realized the job and I weren’t really a good fit. I was successful with (aspects that are similar to the job you’re interviewing for), but not as strong on (the parts that are different). I’m much better suited to a position like the one we’re talking about today.
- Although I did accomplish many milestones in that role, I realize I also made some mistakes. It’s been a big learning experience for me. I know now that… (describe what you learned). With that new wisdom, together with the skills I already had, I’m confident I’ll succeed in this role.
Emphasize the positive.
Notice how these answers begin and end with something positive, with the negative sandwiched in between. You can use this “sandwich” technique whenever you need to address something negative in an interview.
Whatever you say, it is important that you say it without radiating anger, fear or shame. Work on your state of mind if you need to, whether through self-help books, affirmations, meditation or counseling.
Put the firing in perspective in your own mind.
“Good people get fired every day,” according to Tim Sackett, who runs a staffing agency. “They get fired for making bad decisions. They get fired for pissing off the wrong person. They get fired because they didn’t fit your culture. They get fired because of bad job fit.”
Many of the most successful people in the world have been fired. Steve Jobs was fired from Apple, then returned years later. Oprah Winfrey, Walt Disney, Lee Iacocca, J.K. Rowling and Thomas Edison all got the boot. Look up “successful people who have been fired” online. You’ll see that the list goes on and on. You’re in fine company.
You can actually learn how to recover from career setbacks more quickly. Working on that as well as your job search strategies can help you move quickly past this bump in the road. The more time goes by, the less the setback will matter.
