What Should You Say on a Job Application When You Are Fired?
What you should say on a job application when you are fired depends largely on the wording used in questions about your previous employers. Most job applications include some kind of question about why you left your last job. If it does not appear on the application, the question is likely to come up in an interview. Either way, you are better off preparing an answer ahead of time, especially when you have been fired.
Other People Are Reading
-
Don't Tell
-
It goes without saying, if they do not ask, then do not tell. If the application contains the question, "Why did you leave your last job?" there are a number of ways to answer the question without going into all the ugly details. Something as simple as "Job ended" will suffice until you can offer more details if necessary during an interview. Avoid offering the information on the application, especially if you were fired for misconduct, poor job performance or another reason that would be deemed undesirable to a potential employer. You should be prepared with an answer, though, if you get the chance to interview.
Be Honest
-
If on the other hand, like many applications for professional positions, the question is worded a bit differently -- "Have you ever been let go or asked to resign from a position for any reason?" -- it is harder to sidestep the truth. Your best bet in this case is a little bit of honesty without a whole lot of details. Negative information should not be included on the application if at all possible -- it gives the potential employer a reason to put your application in the round file and not call you for an interview. Simply putting "resigned" or "let go" is sufficient to get you through the application process and into a face-to-face interview, and it sounds less negative than a long, drawn-out story about how unjustly your previous employer behaved.
-
Stay Positive
-
In the economic climate of 2011, it is not surprising when someone says he has been fired. Company mergers, shutdowns and cutbacks have created a growing wave of employees who have experienced being fired. It no longer carries the same degree of social stigma it once did but could still have an effect on your chances of landing the job you want. Whatever you decide you should say on a job application when you are fired, put a positive spin on it. Phrases like "mutually agreeable employment termination" and "seeking new career path" steer your answer clear of any negative connotations, or you can simply put "prefer to explain in interview."
Guidelines
-
There are some ways to explain being fired that minimize the damage. Tell what really happened without making it sound like a confession. Avoid placing blame on your previous employer, colleagues or the job, and keep your answers short. It is best not to lie -- you could lose track of your story and it is just not worth it. Avoid appearing defensive in your body language and tone of voice.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Job Application Form image by Alice Slee from Fotolia.com
