Best Way to Explain Your Layoff in a Job Interview

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Best Way to Explain Your Layoff in a Job Interview
How to explain being fired in a job interview

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Andrew LaCivita is a world-leading career and leadership coach and award-winning author of Interview Intervention and The Hiring Prophecies. Throughout his career, he has helped 350 companies and over 75,000 individuals across 100 countries realize their potential. He frequently serves as a trusted media resource for outlets such as ABC, Fox Business, and Business Insider. You can join him at the milewalk Academy and catch him weekly for free Live Office Hours on his YouTube Channel.

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Tips for Work and Life® is a top 5 weekly careers and motivational show full of helpful job search strategies, career management tactics, and self-help aids with career and leadership coach and award-winning author Andrew LaCivita.

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[kimngatran]

Hi Andy, I turned that negative question into a positive explanation by saying, after being with my company for number of years, I don't think my company laying off is because I'm a bad person but I think due to reorganization structure n I think I was effective. Over the years my company have been very good n very fair with me and even in time off layoffs, they even offered me a good servarance package with benefits. Therefore, I'm forever grateful for their financial support during this difficult time!

[andylacivita]

Dear Community, this can be tricky, but manageable. Just make sure to get out of explanation mode as soon as possible! Good luck and see you Thursday at Live Office Hours!

[ReceptiveKing]

I have gaps in my resumes and asked why I left the previous employers was due to layoffs. It never went deeper then that. If they were going deeper then that, then it’s an interrogation at this point. But not to put down this video which is a great topic to speak about. I just think in this time employers are going to have to be more flexible. This is just my opinion on the subject.

[tochukwuonyeke]

What if you were fired for performance, how do you answer that in an interview?

[kimngatran]

There is nothing to be afraid or ashamed off if you have been layoffs. It's happen daily to every company. It's their business decision that you have no control over. A good hiring manager can relate to your situation. It's how you answer that can captive their interest in you.

[saikatnextd]

Thanks @Andrew one of the most clear and honest explanations with rationale without letting emotions come in

[Fawn]

This is very good advice. Shut it down quick and move on!

[HarshitaSharma-whoj]

Important video!! I will use this explanation in my next interview with myBridge.

[ssjlkrillin]

I was recently let go yesterday for "poor performance". The reason was communicated to me verbally by HR, not by management. The question is, should I even bother with giving an explanation, or should I simply state that I was laid off (the termination notice does not indicate a reason), and further state that it was due to the program losing budget (which is not a lie)? I was the only person let go, but it was a small company (less than 300 employees) and I was the only person in the company with this skillset and responsible for this portion of the project. I can not afford to erase over a year of work history (not in this economy).

[deew]

This was so timely. Thanks for sharing! Now, I need to know precisely how many people were let go. Where do you go to get that data?

[Buzan]

Just went through a four week, four round interview process only to be sent a generic "we have identified others in our pipeline whose background and experience more closely matches our needs." This is after meeting with 5 different company representatives in lengthy, in depth interviews. After reading company reviews on Glassdoor, many others have had a similar experience. My background and experience was detailed on my resume, yet they strung me along and continued to give positive feedback. Wondering if that was truly a job posting or some kind of social experiment. Weird.

[nedrfr]

Thanks for this. I was laid off after 6 months.

[WardaddyXXIV]

Great point. How about myself that was in the oil field/ refinery for almost 20 years as a welder. My body was breaking down and surgeries prevented me from working labor again. I’ve been home for 2 years trying to pivot into tech. I’ve been taking courses and certifications to break in tech industry. I’ve been a home dad taking care of the family. How should answer the same question. New to your channel and new sub. Hope to hear from you. Thank you

[michellemcmanus]

How do you answer the question why were you fired. When I made a mistake at work and they let me go. I am 57 and I’m having a hard time on my interviews.

[papadelta]

What about If you are in the process of being laid off and are already interviewing and that is the reason why are you leaving your current company?

[varunpanday]

Hi Andy what would be the answer as to why they didnt keep you vs the ones they let go in Brookes case? Thks

[humannature]

I was asked to do something illegal, then laid off. Is it ok to tell that to a potential employer?

[BeltlessTrenchcoat]

Small company. Want to hire just one full time person. Don’t have much experience interviewing. Want to know the best questions to ask while avoiding frivolous ones. Any tips on where to get info on this?

[fahid]

And what do we say if we don’t have numbers to back us up?

[AlbertoB]

How do you explain you are looking for a job because you have never received a raise in 4 years. Secondly, I have made it to the final interview in multiple jobs but when I ask for 10% more than the range they dismiss me and I have not gotten hired.