posted
So, I go into my first interview tomorrow at 11 AM since I was technically fired from my last job (I was considering quiting, just not at that moment).
A little background into my last job: I was overworked because my boss kept firing people, but not finding replacements. We were down to 3 full-time and 1 part-time person for close to 100 clients. From being overworked, mistakes happened and somehow I appeared to be unproductive even though I was handling all of the payroll, IRS notices, and a lot of other things. I even stayed an hour or two later than everyone else to get more done most days, much to KQs displeasure.
Also, I have thought that I generally have a laid back attitude, but it came across to my boss as "not caring" if mistakes happened.
Anyway, going into this interview, how can I not look too bad when they ask why I am no longer with my previous job? I certainly cannot say that I appeared to be unproductive or that mistakes happened or have a bad attitude. Any thoughts?
Posts: 137 | Registered: May 2005
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posted
Well if you're forced to choose between making yourself look bad and discretely blaming your former boss, I'd choose the latter.
If you explain the workload from your previous job, and your efforts to keep up despite the poor management on top, I'd think you'd only look better, not worse.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
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posted
Focus on your strengths. If they ask you about any of your weaknesses, be honest but not too harsh, and above all, try to turn it into something positive.
"One of my weaknesses is for remembering people's names. I'm constantly working on this, and I'm definitely getting better. Remembering names is a huge part of customer service. At my previous job, the managers complimented my ability to build repoire with customers, and the fact I seemed to do so effortlessly."
In your case, maybe try to drum up your dedication to the job, and getting the work done. Have you got any good sales numbers to brag on?
Good luck. I'll send you positive vibes.
Posts: 1813 | Registered: Apr 2001
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posted
I was just getting into the sales part of it and had my first sale the morning before getting fired. I have learned a lot about building repoire and making first impressions, which I think would benefit me in the interview. I usually do well in interviews, but I still am afraid that I will have a weight on my shoulders that it is somehow my fault that I was fired and people would not want to hire me after that.
Posts: 137 | Registered: May 2005
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posted
Maybe you should highlight the fact that your department was severely downsized, and that you were one of the last people to be let go.
That way, you are telling the truth (you did not leave voluntarily). But it makes you look good because you were obviously considered one of the more valuable employees if you were one of the last ones to leave.
Posts: 1592 | Registered: May 2000
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posted
It was a small company, so not so much a "department"-- and the reason the boss kept firing people (some of whom may have deserved it and some of whom really didn't) was that he had an anger management problem (which he did not want to fix, he was proud of it) and, in my unqualified but experienced opinion, was exhibiting escalating manic behavior (expectations out of touch with reality, frantic activity level, not sleeping, frequent outbursts of swearing and yelling, heck, he even dressed down his KINDERGARTENER for not doing his best work on a picture for school and made him do it over while he paced and watched.)
Can some of you please tell KPC that he needs to stop helping the guy who keeps calling from the job he just left asking for help with accounts?
Oh, and Jeff, love, the spell check is that button with "abc" and a check mark at the top of the browser window. Use it before you post. Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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quote:Originally posted by vwiggin: Maybe you should highlight the fact that your department was severely downsized, and that you were one of the last people to be let go.
That way, you are telling the truth (you did not leave voluntarily). But it makes you look good because you were obviously considered one of the more valuable employees if you were one of the last ones to leave.
This seems like a good way to put it in the interview: there was downsizing and turnover, and finally they got to you.
Good luck in the interview Jeff! Posts: 6316 | Registered: Jun 2003
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posted
KPC, stop working for the company that fired you already. You're not getting paid, you're not employed by them, and it benefits you in no way to keep working. The fact that the guy fired you means that you no longer have a contract to do work for them. So, you know, STOP!
posted
THANK you! He just is too nice for his own good sometimes. But he doesn't listen when I tell him so.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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My pet peeve, too.
