How to Explain an Unjust Termination

When interviewing for a new job, you may be placed in the uncomfortable situation of having to explain an unjust termination in your work history. It's important to stick to the facts and to not become emotional in front of a prospective employer who may be wondering if history will repeat itself.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Stick to the facts when you explain an unjust termination to a prospective employer. Don't interject feelings, emotions and unnecessary details. If your unjust termination led to legal action on your part, merely discuss the outcome of the case and leave it at that.

2. Avoid becoming emotional when you explain an unjust termination during a job interview. If you start to cry or become angry when discussing the case, the interviewer will become immediately concerned about your overall temperament and whether or not you will be a high-maintenance employee who will always be upset about something in the workplace.

3. Do not speak poorly of your former employer, even if your termination was illegal and unjust. Any negative comments will be interpreted as unprofessional on your part, and your interviewer will only be left to wonder if you will say the same negative things about this company after you leave.

4. Keep your explanation of your wrongful termination and any legal consequences as simple as possible. Your interviewer probably doesn't want to hear a long, detailed story about the incident. The prospective employer simply wants to know who was at fault, without unnecessary elaboration.

5. Explain as simply as possible what lessons you learned from the experience and how you have grown as a person since the unjust termination. By finding a positive aspect to the experience, you will let your prospective employer know that you can recover, assimilate and adapt into almost any work environment.

6. Refrain from worrying about the incident and how it will affect your chances of getting hired by the interviewer. Answer each question about the incident and then move on. Try not to appear rattled after going through your explanation, and avoid circling back later in the interview to bring up additional points.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have been the victim of an unjust termination, rehearse your response to any questions from interviewers. Always assume that you will be asked about the incident at every interview and be prepared. Appearing surprised or flustered by a question about your wrongful termination will be an automatic red flag for the interviewer.