How to Explain Being Fired in a Job Interview Examples - Answer for why were you fired

In today's video, we discuss how to explain being fired in a job interview. Finding a good answer for why were you fired is no easy task. Hiring managers, recruiters, and HR professionals are quick to pass judgments and make assumptions about why you were fired or let go, but it is up to you to successfully explain the situation! In this video, we cover how to explain being fired in a job interview examples that will work for a variety of causes and we show you exactly what to do to convince them that you are a candidate worth hiring. It may not be easy, but with the right kind of humility, authenticity and by showing them you have grown as a professional, it's not an impossible task!

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Sharing Interview tips and providing interview questions and answers so that you can become the best candidate possible and land your next job!

[PthaloGreen]

I think most people who are fired who are dumped ostensibly "for performance reasons" are actually let go because their boss doesn't like them, is threatened by them, etc.

In the end, there's no way to prove someone else could have done a better job than you. The vast Majority of employees have absolutely no protection from being fired for any reason, or no reason whatsoever. So if you are fired, just say what your boss said. Give your side of it and then explain what you can do for your potential employer and get on with it.

Don't make the mistake I did, which was agonizing for years about whether I actually deserved to be fired or not. No boss is required to keep (or to remove) an employee. It's always subjective. If you're unlucky enough to get canned, take it for what it is: an opportunity. It doesn't mean you're useless.

You get more sympathy from a potential new employer for being honest, IMHO.

[TiredinIT]

Here's the problem with this perspective: most companies that ask that in the application form auto-reject anyone who says they were fired, even if they'd be an amazing fit.

[fosterfoster]

My job fired me for performance; however, when I applied for unemployment they painted me as this horrible argumentative and difficult person. I never argued with them once nor was I difficult. I guess the employment representative didn’t buy it either because I was approved.

I do find it troubling that employers still frown on being fired. If a person has been with a company for 3 or more years. Chances are they were fired for something stupid and completely opposite of performance. Time with that company should hold more weight.

[gdmtk]

Thank you for answering about being fired for conduct. Going against core company values. I got canned for something super vague. So it makes answering this question in interviews really difficult. Like: "I actually *don't* know why I was fired." They said it was conduct-related but I was shocked because it was nowhere in the handbook and my boss had never mentioned it before!

[marivega]

I was terminated from my previous job for documentation review and performance after 1.5 yrs and I was never made aware of my mistakes. I literally walked into work and they let me go that day. However 5 months prior I received a good review and a raise (same with the year before) and I did tell them that I wasn't aware that I wasn't doing the documentation correctly ( I was never properly trained but never asked for training because I thought I was doing it right). Documentation always went through QA, /approvers/reviewers before it made its way back to me. My boss also went on maternity leave TWICE and out of the 1.5 years, I had manager direction for 5 cumulative months. Til this day I have no idea how my performance was bad on my part because they didnt give me any details nor leave any extra details on record. Additionally, I had always expressed my interest in moving up with the company and 2 weeks prior I marched into the VPs office asking for things I can improve on but he said NOTHING. I don't negate that there's stuff I may have had to improve on, but they also never gave me a chance to fix it and grow...or even tell me about it. To my very core, I believe I was laid off due to cutbacks but they wanted to call it something else.

[wiseowl]

I quit a job i worked for a decade and walked off without notice. The reason? The CEO was angry my boss left for a new job and he didnt get a chance to fire him. In anger, he lashed out at all the staff the former VP hired...putting them on PIPs and other petty wrote ups. He threatened me with a PIP stating i didnt return a phone call to him fast enough. I walked.

[vernonmartin]

Thank you for explaining how to approach being fired for violating company policy! I have a BIG interview coming up. Considered lying about job separation but felt worse than telling the truth. Didn't know HOW to present the truth in a better light until viewing your video. THANK YOU SIR!

[StubbyKiller]

Thanks so much You’re the man - I appreciate your help in landing me a new position after getting let go from my former employer for performance reasons!

[kelly-dlzp]

I had a friend who was fired because two other people lied on them for misconduct allegation. Their statements were inconsistent with the details, but it didn’t matter. This friend was also a nurse and they reported them to the board of nursing. The board unfounded the whole thing but now my friend has to admit they were fired. I feel so bad for her. It’s like PTSD for her and it causes her to lose confidence to even try for another job because she’s so humiliated. Should she go back to her former employer and see if they will change the termination? I suppose if they were rehired it would erase the termination but she doesn’t want to be part of that culture anymore

[rajrammbbs]

I was fired for psychiatric symptoms. They listed my termination for workplace violence. I was never violent towards anyone.

[mechelesaunders]

Thanks for the not sure what to say without being too negative

[someperson]

This is a good video. It is good to show the interviewer what you have learned and what you are going to do to avoid getting fired again.

[solidkreate]

3:53 onward made me feel so much better. I was a bnrand new tool design er with no experience. The job became increasingly difficult and I was terminated for perfomance. I was alos competing with people who had 5-10-15 and 23 years of experience. I was the only Level I on the team. To say the least, it was like wraping my arms around and elephant with baby T-Rex arms. I have an interview with my old company tomorrow for my old role of Manufacturing Planner II. Nowe that job I ahd zero issues with and was aske dto be on the quality audit team in which I audited plans of more senior planners. So, I think my work history there should help me as well. - Thank You Benthat answer just took all of the weight off my shoulders. especially having heard this from a seasoned professional like yourself.

[AlbertElectronics]

Thanks for your tip. My question is, most industries hire people for a short period to meet customer demands and then let them go before their probation ends. What are your tips for people in these circumstances?

[andreathespiritualmotivato]

I was fired from every job due to attendance. Which stemmed from undiagnosed depression and anxiety.

[MoneybagMari]

Hey Ben, I was fired from my previous job position after I got injured on the job they said I wasn’t following company guidelines. I know you said not to lie so I’m curious how would you go about answering that question and telling the truth without saying that

[beamerball]

I have been fired three times, two for conduct. The first time was my first legitimate job and what I did I would've fired myself for as well. Long story short I didn't react well to a boss that I didn't get along with and displayed an outburst of anger that was so far over the line.
The second time for conduct for was when over exerted myself and got caught sleeping on an overnight job when tried to work about 6 shifts in a row between employers and my body just couldn't handle being awake for about three days.
I was also fired for performance reasons from a loss prevention job because I'm terrible at asking for help and was embarrassed by the fact that I wasn't getting how to really do the job, so as the lowest performing detective I got asked to leave. All that being said I'm now applying to be a 911 dispatcher and explaining of all of these seems daunting.

[judypingmccormick]

Brilliant. Would you kindly suggest the best answer for : "Why did you leave (resign) your last job (just 2 weeks ago), without a new job lined up?" Thank you.

[WHITECOMOFLAGE]

Ben, how do I address the question when I was let go due to retaliation. Coworker was putting together an EEOC claim and I was asked for information for case-I was told I would be protected under whistleblower regulations. Thank you.

[EvaMariposa]

Hi Ben, how would you explain being laid off because of not getting along with a new boss?