DO NOT BE ONE HUNDRED PERCENT HONEST. If you are, employers will think that you are as dumb as a rock - because - who says they got fired????

I was on the hiring committee at my last employer for 5+ years. People who tried to dance around the fact that they were fired were viewed as dishonest /sketchy. The cover-up is worse than the crime. It was always the first question we'd ask each other after the candidate left -- "So, they fired him right? What do you think happened?"

You don't have to blurt out "I got fired" but you can say you were terminated because it wasn't a good fit (or whatever). Quickly and confidently move on to what you're looking for now and why you think the company you are interviewing with will be a better match for you, and why you're a good match for them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Choose an explanation for leaving that is plausible and believable and that someone at this job will back. "I moved on because it was not a good fit for me; for X training opportunity, etc."

Find someone at that job who will recommend you who liked your work.

Bad idea. Do NOT lie - it may come out and can be grounds for termination at your new place of employment (even if discovered after you are hired). I have seen it happen.

I cannot get over how bad this advice is. It seems like people in this forum are such middle management do gooders. That is not going to get you very far. Please do not say you got fired. Just say that it was a bad fit. That is not a lie. People always ask why you left. DO NOT BE ONE HUNDRED PERCENT HONEST. If you are, employers will think that you are as dumb as a rock - because - who says they got fired????

I would suggest actually to steer the conversation that starts with "why did you leave X?" into a more productive, flattering place. Use difficult questions as opportunities to talk about how excited you are about THIS position.

That said, if you are asked directly if you left voluntarily, or if you are asked in writing, please don't lie outright. There are usually areas where you can explain involuntary departures.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Choose an explanation for leaving that is plausible and believable and that someone at this job will back. "I moved on because it was not a good fit for me; for X training opportunity, etc."

Find someone at that job who will recommend you who liked your work.

Bad idea. Do NOT lie - it may come out and can be grounds for termination at your new place of employment (even if discovered after you are hired). I have seen it happen.

I cannot get over how bad this advice is. It seems like people in this forum are such middle management do gooders. That is not going to get you very far. Please do not say you got fired. Just say that it was a bad fit. That is not a lie. People always ask why you left. DO NOT BE ONE HUNDRED PERCENT HONEST. If you are, employers will think that you are as dumb as a rock - because - who says they got fired????

Anonymous wrote:I've been fired twice. For me, the secret was to get the next position by networking, so the interviewer doesn't ask why you are leaving your current/soon to be former position.

I try to network, but I swear I never meet people that are in my field.

I've been fired twice. For me, the secret was to get the next position by networking, so the interviewer doesn't ask why you are leaving your current/soon to be former position.

Anonymous wrote:Your resume is a marketing document, not an authoritative record of your life. Everything on there should be true, but it is intended to include information that would help you get a job. You need not include a job if you were only there a short time and its presence on your résumé would not advance your cause. If you are asked to fill out a complete employment record, that's one thing, but your resume is something else. If they somehow find the job on a background check, or ask about the gap in an interview, you can explain as suggested above.

This approach makes sense to me.

Your resume is a marketing document, not an authoritative record of your life. Everything on there should be true, but it is intended to include information that would help you get a job. You need not include a job if you were only there a short time and its presence on your résumé would not advance your cause. If you are asked to fill out a complete employment record, that's one thing, but your resume is something else. If they somehow find the job on a background check, or ask about the gap in an interview, you can explain as suggested above.

Anonymous wrote:Agree with the PPs who said not to lie. Leave the position on your resume, as it could come up in a background check. When asked why you are looking or what happened at the last job, explain that it wasn't a good fit and that you learned ___________ about yourself. You are now looking for a position at a company or organization that is ____________. Practice saying it to yourself (out loud) a bunch of times before you go on interviews. Be comfortable and relaxed. You will get through this. Most people have been fired at one point or time in their lives. Good luck!

Thanks, I'll give that a try!

Agree with the PPs who said not to lie. Leave the position on your resume, as it could come up in a background check. When asked why you are looking or what happened at the last job, explain that it wasn't a good fit and that you learned ___________ about yourself. You are now looking for a position at a company or organization that is ____________. Practice saying it to yourself (out loud) a bunch of times before you go on interviews. Be comfortable and relaxed. You will get through this. Most people have been fired at one point or time in their lives. Good luck!

As for the experience gained from this position, you were there for 2.5 months. How much experience could you possibly have gained during that time?