Bad Reference

Sounds like you have had a tough time over the last several years and that you are feeling some frustration with your former employer. However, you did have the position for a year, they will be called for a reference so I would certainly list this last position. It sounds like you are still working there which also gives you an advantage when searching for the next position.

The main question is: Will listing the position on your resume add to your qualifications and value for the next employer? Were there accomplishments that can be quantified that give a good indication of who you are and what you can do in the workplace. That is the important thing. And yes, a gap of a year would be a red flag.

Companies should only give dates of employment when called for a reference, though this rule is not always followed to the letter. You might also deal with this in an interview by stating the truth and indicating that though you had some medical issues prior to leaving your last employer, you are completely healed and ready to work. What is most important is what you can bring to a new employer in the future, not only what has happened in the past.

Be careful, because you must NEVER say anything negative about a former employer. It will only reflect negatively on you. You might say there were some differences, but that's it. You can indicate that because of the differences, you are not sure if the reference would be positive but you might refer people to someone else who you worked closely with (other than your supervisor).

Good luck in your search. If you are feeling anger toward your previous employer, you might want to meet with a counselor to work out a "speech" so you are able to discuss the past situation with clarity and without emotion. Good luck!

Explaining Termination

It is always difficult to be terminated from a position. We are not always clear about the reasons. The first issue here is for you to reconcile the reason for yourself. You may or may not ever fully know the actual truth. Either way, as you approach your next interview, you must NEVER indicate any hard feelings about a past employer. So you have to work through your own feelings about it so they don't erupt during an interview.

You will have to develop an answer that fits the situation and allows you to be clear about what happened without giving too much information. Then answer the question and move the discussion forward to expressing your talents for the position.

Fired and Letting Go of the Anger

I was fired from my previous job because a co-worker simply did not like me. I was set up and now I am looking for another job but I don't know what to say about why I was fired. The reasons given by my former employers were that things were not done that should have been done and my work performance was not up to their needs. I know for a fact my co-worker had something to do with things being deleted off my computer that I did and . . . . . I am just lost at what to say because this has never before happened to me. Co-workers know but I have no proof. Several of my co-workers said I can use them for references, also. Please help me. I don't know what to say.

Since co-workers generally don't do the "firing," I am not sure where your supervisor and the organization you worked for figure in this scenario. But for the sake of conversation, let's assume that you were asked to leave and the reasons stated were your performance no longer met the needs of the agency.

I understand that you must feel angry and emotional in response to this event. However, rule #1 in any interview situation is never to speak poorly about a previous employer or co-workers, as it will only reflect negatively about you.

It is good that some other co-workers have offered to act as references.

In this position, when you are being interviewed, it is important not to let strong emotional feelings prevent you from offering a confident, clear response. If it is still doing so, work that out with a counselor.

HOW you respond is as important as what you say. So work through the story many times until it is totally comfortable for you to deliver. Let's assume a question asked might be: Why did you leave your past position? Your answer must be shared with confidence, rationality and be emotion free. Keep the answers short and sweet.

Employers aren't really interested in all the tiny details, but are interested in how you've dealt with the results of the action. One suggestion might be "I was told my skills set was no longer strong enough for the new requirements of the position. Since that time, I have upgraded my. . . . . . and am anxious to find a position where I can again make a strong contribution. Tell me more about. . . . . "

Acknowledge the loss, don't dwell on it and show your enthusiasm to move forward.

Career Experts @ ChicagoJobs.org

What do you tell someone in an interview when you've been fired from a job?

Many people have left their jobs under circumstances that they are not particularly proud of. You are right to think about how you would present your situation in an interview. Since I do not know all the details of your stories, my comments will be general.

I would first consider a total work history. Is this the first time you have been dismissed? Do you have a solid work history other than this last job? How long did you work there? Were you fired for cause?

Whatever the reason, you certainly need to acknowledge the dismissal in an interview, since most employers will call previous employers for a reference.

It is very important to be clear about your response, practice how you will explain it, be sure you NEVER to say anything negative about a previous employer. You may have strong emotional feelings that show and you need to work those through so you can tell your story calmly and with confidence.

You can also indicate that you are sure that you are ready to perform all the duties of the position for which you are applying and that this previous incidence was a learning experience.

It is difficult, sometimes, to formulate the words in a way that will flow comfortably and allow you to show your best self. It might be of value to work with a career counselor or friend to practice your delivery.

Career Experts @ ChicagoJobs.org

Forced to Self Terminate?

I have a very stable employment history and stayed three or more years with each of my previous employer and I ended up on good terms with each of them. My current employment is an exception. I was offered a job as floater and I was told that the job would include travel to fill positions as needed, but I was assured that I would not be sent immediately and I would receive training. I agreed and accepted the position.

In my fourth week my employer asked me to leave within three days to different state and they bought a one-way air ticket for me. I asked my boss if it wasn’t too early for me to go as I hadn’t had sufficient training and I needed some time to arrange for my children’s school delivery and daycare. My boss became angry and told me it was part of the job and if I can't do this "this job is not a good fit for you." I was given a choice to either leave within three days or quit, and I quit. I am wondering, was I forced to terminate my self?

It sounds like you have been involved in a tough situation and that you are questioning whether you were put into a situation that caused you to terminate. I wonder if there was a written contract that clearly explained the requirements of the position? Were there any reasons to believe that the organization was interested in forcing you out? Were you allowed unemployment compensation? This is a complicated situation and you might be wise to consult with an employment attorney to see what, if any, recourse you might have.

Either way, I am assuming that you will now begin to search for a new position. You will have to work through your disappointment and anger so you are properly prepared to interview well for the next position. You will have to prepare an "exit story" as most employers ask why you left your last position. You must be careful not to be critical of a former employer in an interview. Find someone who can practice this with you so you represent yourself well.

The Career Experts @ ChicagoJobs.org

Short Work Period

There are many reasons that people have jobs that are short lived. You did not state in your note exactly what happened, but when and if you discuss it in an interview what is most important is how you present the story and the confidence with which you share the information. You do not have to offer long explanations, just give the facts and move on to focusing on your accomplishments, skills, and longevity with your formal employer.

Many people today have short term experiences, some considered consulting opportunities, some temporary work, some "mistakes." It will only become an issue for future employment if you make it an issue! The only part of the interview that you actually have control over is yourself and how you present your information, success and worth to the prospective employer. You will never really know what will become an "issue" for an interviewer. Do your best!

Telling New Employer about Firing

I do not know the reason for your termination and what discussion you had with your employer before you left. But if you were paid during that time and taxes were taken out, there is a record of your employment. Lying on an application (or resume) can be cause for dismissal if discovered at a later date. You also don't say how long you were out of work prior to that job and whether you need to show some employment during that time. Some people do omit some jobs on an application, but I think a better way to handle the situation is to face it, admit it and be able to express what you learned and, if terminated for cause, how you plan to behave in the future and what you learned from the experience. When you do have the opportunity to discuss it with a prospective employer - remember it is NEVER a good idea to say anything negative about a previous employer. Learn from your past mistakes and strive for a better future.