Getting fired may be the end of your job, but it's not the end of the world. While it can be a liability in job interviews, finding the right way to discuss a termination can be very useful in securing future employment. Some job coaches suggest keeping the termination information to yourself completely, although human resources personnel suggest the opposite because the results can be devastating if the information ever does come to light.
Step 1
Ask your former employer for a letter of recommendation. It might sound counter-intuitive because you've been terminated, but depending on the reason for the termination, a co-worker or another department head may be willing to write a letter supporting your strengths. When asked why you left your previous job, be honest about the termination, but use the letter to highlight the strengths you did possess in that job.
Step 2
Do not write the word "termination" or "fired" in your resume. Wait until you are in a face-to-face situation to discuss it. Many companies use technology to weed out resumes that contain negative keywords.
Step 3
Ask your former employer what he is going to say if called for a reference or job check. This may be very difficult to do, but job coach and former hiring manager Carole Martin of the Interview Coach said it's essential that you and the former employer respond the same way--or that you be prepared for what he's going to say if it's not in agreement with what you see to be the truth. In general, it's easy to be on the same page with a termination because of downsizing or a reduction in force, but if you were fired because of poor performance, you'll need to know what is being said about you.
Step 4
Don't lie. The easiest way to get through an interview after a job termination is to stick to the truth. If you were fired because you failed to meet sales goals, explain the reason for the termination and the steps you've taken to remedy that situation. If you were fired because of a personality conflict with a superior, explain what you have done to better understand being a team player.
Step 5
Speak with confidence when talking about the termination, but do not bad-mouth a former employer. Nimish Thakkar of Sai Careers said that can backfire. Instead, Thakkar suggests keeping things as positive as possible, even if you feel you were wrongly terminated.
Tips and Warnings
- Practice your responses to typical questions about your termination that may be asked, but don't memorize answers. You want to look spontaneous, but knowledgeable during your interview.
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