Job interview questions are impossible to
answer when you feel angry about being
fired, guilty about being laid off, or
depressed about being out of work. Your
emotions are going to work against you in
the job interview.
The best thing to do is keep a clear head
and have some prepared answers!
We all know that the unemployment rate is
soaring, and it's true that layoffs are
common, but it doesn't seem so common when
it happens to you. You probably feel like
you have a lot of explaining to do.
You have to explain why you were fired. You
have to explain why you were the one laid
off in your department. You have to explain
why it's taking you so long to find work.
You have to explain why there is a gap in
your resume.
The best way to explain your situation in a
job interview with a potential employer is
to be honest, but brief.
Did I mention brief? Brief is the key.
Rambling on and on will get you in trouble.
You'll get tongue-tied and say the wrong
thing. Rambling is a beacon to your
interviewer that you are hiding something.
And there's really nothing to hide. Just
explain yourself clearly, be honest, be
brief, and be prepared with the best answer.
Q: Why did you get fired?
Here's the toughest question you'll ever
answer in a job interview. The way to answer
this question is to be credible, brief, and
end on a positive note.
Don't criticize the company. Don't say
negative things about your coworkers. Don't
call your boss names. Don't be sarcastic or
bitter.
The way to explain getting fired is to
describe the event as an isolated incident,
that it won't happen again, and has nothing
to do with your job skills. If you filed a
report, went through any channels in your
company, or negotiated with a labor union go
ahead and discuss this, but be brief and
don't blame anyone.
End your discussion on a positive note by
saying that although it was a difficult
experience, in the end it was good decision
for you and the company.
Best Answer:
"I just couldn't get along with my boss. He
had something against me personally. When he
promoted others in my department and skipped
me, I had a meeting with his boss. His boss
agreed that my work was exceptional, and
they tried to get me transferred out of the
department. There just weren't any openings
in the company and the situation got worse.
The whole experience was very difficult, but
I learned a lot, and looking back, I think
it was best thing for me."
Q: Why did you leave your last job?
Avoid going in to detail about the closing
or lay off. Don't relate the pink-slip
experience, don't describe what a shock it
was for everyone, and don't start rambling
about events leading up to the lay off. All
your interview wants is a simple answer to a
simple question.
Best Answer:
Keep it to a one-liner such as "I left when
our department was closed".
Q: Why did your company close your
department?
This is not the time to criticize your
coworkers or company. Your interviewer will
see this as a negative and chalk you up as a
complainer. Don't make comments about the
blunders that the company made, the
goof-balls in your department, or that
management made a big mistake by laying you
off.
Be careful not to criticize your company's
competitors. You don't want to call the
other company "sleazy" or "under-handed",
you never know, your interviewer might have
a relative that works at that company and
they won't appreciate your comments. In
short, it's a small world, and companies in
a similar business tend to know each other.
And remember, the lay off was out of your
hands. It had nothing to do with you or your
skills.
Best Answer:
Be ready with a short, concise statement
such as "Sales had been declining for years
and our product line was discontinued".
Keep it brief with an answer such as "We
lost our contract to a competitor. They
brought in their own staff and let us go".
Q: What have you been doing since you've
been out of work?
Don't say "I've been looking for work". Your
interviewer will think that you are just
looking for a paycheck. You need to prove to
your future employer that this position is
important to you.
Focus on accomplishments that showcase your
abilities. Maybe you took a class or
training course, be sure to discuss the
importance of continued education. Maybe you
volunteered at church, school, or a local
charity. Even small things will demonstrate
that you are self-motivated, organized, and
a well-rounded person.
Best Answer:
Describe your accomplishments such as "I've
been doing consulting work at the Community
Center. I've always wanted to help them and
I'm glad I had the opportunity".
Q: Why do you want to work here?
Please don't say "I need the money". That's
like saying that you don't care about the
company or the position. Remember, they're
proud of their company and their products.
Explain to your interviewer why you will be
an excellent addition to their organization.
Best Answer:
Prepare some concrete reasons why you like
the company such as "I've always respected
your company and products. I read a recent
article that you are a leader in the field
and I want to be a part of that".
Have some reasons on hand about why they
should hire you such as "I get results, I'm
self-motivated, and I have a variety of
interests and skills that are a perfect fit
for this position".
Q: Why haven't you found a job yet?
Don't get defensive. Be ready to answer this
in a way that makes you look good, not
needy.
You're looking for just the right company,
you have an excellent skill set, and you
have a lot to offer. Turn this question
around and describe the job you are applying
for and why you are the perfect person for
the position.
Best Answer:
Give a confident answer such as "I have
years of experience, I just finished a
training course that updated my skills, and
looking over your job description for this
position, I have all the qualifications. I'm
glad I didn't jump at just any job offer, I
think this position and your company will be
perfect fit for me".
Q: Can you explain this gap in your
resume?
This layoff will be on your resume from now
on. Even years from now, you will still be
explaining the window when you were
unemployed.
Just be honest. Don't change your beginning
or end dates to make the gap look smaller.
They can easily call your previous company
and get your employment dates. Your
interviewer will know that after big
layoffs, the market is flooded, and it takes
a while for everyone to find another job.
Best Answer:
Remember stick to your one-liner such as "My
company had a big layoff in 2003".
In closing, good luck on your job search. I
hope these Interview Answers for the Tough
Questions will help you on your next job
interview!
Don Georgevich helps hundreds of job seekers
as a Job Interview Coach. He prepares job
seekers for job interviews by teaching them
how to answer job interview questions in his
book, The Complete Interview Answer Guide.
He has put together a free 7-part e-course,
"Mastering the Art of the Interview." You
can visit
jobinterviewtools.com to get your free
course.
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