Don't Let Being Fired Stand in Your Way

Competing for a new job is inherently stressful, and mounting nerves may kill your confidence if you also have to explain a recent job loss. Hiring managers are people too, and many realize that being fired is not always a matter of bad performance or poor work ethic. Avoid covering up a job loss with lies that may catch up with you. Stay positive, and show potential employers that you have grown from past experiences.

1. Gain Some Clarity

Harboring bad feelings from a past job may prevent you from making the best impression in your job search. Move on by evaluating the facts of your job loss and acknowledging any personal issues that led to the termination. Set aside opinions and speculations about how your teammates disliked you or your supervisor was never satisfied. Ask yourself whether your work met the standards of the job, whether your actions contributed to the termination and whether you received opportunities to resolve the problem.

2. Weigh the Facts

Weigh the details of your termination against the overall strength of your resume. If your job loss occurred in a short-term or unrelated position, you may not need to include it on your resume at all. However, you may weaken your resume by excluding a related position that you held for several years, as this creates the appearance of a major employment gap. If you were laid off, keep your answer simple and explain that your termination is related to company downsizing — not poor performance.

3. Prepare Positive Answers

Taking responsibility for a performance-based job loss shows employers that you are receptive to constructive criticism and willing to learn. When interviewers probe for details, frame your experience as a positive milestone that helped you refine your skills, improve your work ethic or refocus your career goals. Practice your answers so you can tell your story without sounding emotional or bitter.

For example, leave the blame out of the story and explain that your productivity suffered when you shifted from a hands-on sales position to an administrative desk job. Explain that your strengths lie in direct communication and customer service, so you prefer a position that lets you focus on recruiting and retaining customers.

4. Gather References

A serious termination means you have to market yourself more effectively than the average candidate. Regardless of the conflicts that occurred in your last job, make it clear to hiring managers that you are not universally hated by everyone in the company. Ask former managers, clients and co-workers you trust to act as references or provide recommendations confirming your positive contributions.

5. Highlight Enrichment Experience

If your hunt for a new job is lasting longer than you expected, fill the resume gaps with any related experience you gained from volunteering, supplementary education or freelance work. Staying busy shows employers that a job loss does not stop you from taking initiative while you simultaneously expand your skill set.

Getting laid off does not automatically land you on the employment blacklist. It is possible to find another position if you own up to your mistakes and give employers a succinct, honest reason for the job loss. Use those tense moments to reinforce your accomplishments and to demonstrate that you can handle obstacles without sacrificing professionalism.

Photo courtesy of patpitchaya at FreeDigitalPhotos.net