Tip No.
143
Q.
How do I explain my termination? I was recently laid off and I am afraid that it will reflect poorly on me when I interview and people ask why I'm not working?
A.
This is a major concern for many who find themselves in your situation. However, with our recent economy and the many mergers and downsizings throughout the country, there are not many people in the work world today who have not personally been affected by a layoff, or who have not had a family member or friend affected. Most hiring authorities understand that layoffs are a fact of life in corporate America today and do not necessarily assume that there is some deficiency within a candidate, simply because they were laid off.
Having said that, what is more important than the fact that you were laid off, is the attitude you have about it, your confidence level, and the way you present the fact that you were laid off to the potential employer. The first step is for you to review the reasons the company gave you for your termination. Was your position redundant due to a merger? Was it eliminated? Has your department been automated and reduced the need for workers? Is the company moving or closing the facility where you worked? These are often some of the reasons for layoff type terminations.
Next, develop a statement that is honest and that you feel comfortable with that explains your termination. When you explain your termination, it is important that you do not sound defensive and that you portray confidence in yourself and your ability to make a contribution to a new employer, despite your termination. For example, "The extensive reorganization and restructuring at Super Big Conglomerate Company has resulted in my outplacement. However, before all of that began, I was quite successful in the area of ___________ and I'm sure I will be able to make a strong contribution to my new employer; in fact, I'm looking forward to the opportunity to expand my horizons." It is also important that you do not say anything negative about your former employer, as this will set off alarm bells for the potential employer.
If you are having difficulty developing a neutral statement that explains your termination, it may be that you still harbor some negative feelings about your former employer, the way your separation was handled, or yourself, as a result of the termination. If this is the case, you may want to talk to a counseling professional who can help you work through these feelings, so you can progress with your job search with a sense of confidence and a positive attitude.
Finally, try to remember that most layoffs are bottom-line related, and that being laid off does not carry the stigma or negative connotations that most people in the situation believe that it does. Hold your head up high and accentuate the positive and you will be successful.
Best of luck to you!
If you have a question for CMI, please
send email to jobbox@cmi-lmi.com
with "Question for CMI" in the subject line.
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Tip No. 143 |
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Q. How do I explain my termination? I was recently laid off and I am afraid that it will reflect poorly on me when I interview and people ask why I'm not working? |
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A. This is a major concern for many who find themselves in your situation. However, with our recent economy and the many mergers and downsizings throughout the country, there are not many people in the work world today who have not personally been affected by a layoff, or who have not had a family member or friend affected. Most hiring authorities understand that layoffs are a fact of life in corporate America today and do not necessarily assume that there is some deficiency within a candidate, simply because they were laid off. Having said that, what is more important than the fact that you were laid off, is the attitude you have about it, your confidence level, and the way you present the fact that you were laid off to the potential employer. The first step is for you to review the reasons the company gave you for your termination. Was your position redundant due to a merger? Was it eliminated? Has your department been automated and reduced the need for workers? Is the company moving or closing the facility where you worked? These are often some of the reasons for layoff type terminations. Next, develop a statement that is honest and that you feel comfortable with that explains your termination. When you explain your termination, it is important that you do not sound defensive and that you portray confidence in yourself and your ability to make a contribution to a new employer, despite your termination. For example, "The extensive reorganization and restructuring at Super Big Conglomerate Company has resulted in my outplacement. However, before all of that began, I was quite successful in the area of ___________ and I'm sure I will be able to make a strong contribution to my new employer; in fact, I'm looking forward to the opportunity to expand my horizons." It is also important that you do not say anything negative about your former employer, as this will set off alarm bells for the potential employer. If you are having difficulty developing a neutral statement that explains your termination, it may be that you still harbor some negative feelings about your former employer, the way your separation was handled, or yourself, as a result of the termination. If this is the case, you may want to talk to a counseling professional who can help you work through these feelings, so you can progress with your job search with a sense of confidence and a positive attitude. Finally, try to remember that most layoffs are bottom-line related, and that being laid off does not carry the stigma or negative connotations that most people in the situation believe that it does. Hold your head up high and accentuate the positive and you will be successful. |
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If you have a question for CMI, please send email to jobbox@cmi-lmi.com with "Question for CMI" in the subject line. |
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