Seeking employment after being fired of laid off or figuring out how to appropriately answer these newfound gaps on a resume can be complicated and stressful, if not understandably discouraging. The circumstances surrounding any candidate in this situation is likely to vary substantially, but one thing brings them all together: how to explain what happened to an interviewer. Obtaining an interview by itself should be seen as an accomplishment—you clearly got someone’s attention!—but even under the right conditions, an interview can be nerve-wracking. Given this added expectation that you will have to provide an explanation for what happened can naturally increase the trepidation, BUT with the right preparation can adeptly handle these questions and use this as a chance to show strong communication and a positive mindset.
Before working on your answer, the best way to prepare is to identify the question. Were you fired, laid off, or is there an ancillary area you are worried about? There can often be a gulf in the terminology being deployed, as you will often see the words “fired” and “laid off” used interchangeably, but it needs to be noted that these are not the same. So, if that is your primary concern you need to be sure you know which it is. For a clearer definition, getting laid off is usually the removal of a position as it currently exists which could be due to a multitude of reasons including but not limited to mergers and acquisitions, downsizing, reorganization, or a change in the business direction. Getting laid off is recognizable for plenty of job seekers, and should not be seen as a reflection of the employee.
Conversely, being fired is often a result of the action or performance of the employee themselves. Whether this is not meeting expectations of the role violating company policy, or another reason, this is focused toward a specific individual. This distinction should be clear based on your discussion with a HR representative upon or prior to your departure, or even your boss directly. Now based on the provided definitions, it becomes immediately clear that addressing these situations will differ quite a bit. Here are our tips for each scenario:
How to explain a layoff in a job interview
As mentioned above, a job market which has seen a number of highly-skilled professionals lose work as a result of the Great Recession in the late 2000s and the COVID-19 pandemic more recently, is much more receptive and understanding of layoffs than may have been the case in the past. However, this does not mean you should not approach this question, which is still very likely, with any less tact and seriousness. To begin, it is worth assuring the employer that you were performing at a high level and fulfilling expectations of the role, but it was the result of extenuating circumstances that the layoff occurred. That being said, be direct and be succinct. A mistake candidates often make is going into detail about the working details of the organization and how the decision came about—you do not need to do this! Redirecting the conversation back toward more positive notes of your candidacy should be the ultimate goal, so provide a satisfactory explanation and discuss how you were able to provide a positive impact during your time at the company. It is also worthwhile to obtain references from the company being discussed as a supplement to your answers.
How to explain a firing in a job interview
This answer requires a bit more strategy in ensuring that you deliver a satisfactory answer without putting yourself in a bind. First, it is useful to actually reflect on the reasons for your termination. What did your employer tell you? What did you think? What could you have improved upon? This self-reflection goes a long way to resolving the question for yourself so that you can focus on executing when they question does arise. Most importantly, it is critical to resist the urge to lie. Don’t dance around language and try to position it as being laid off if it wasn’t, or try to find a different workaround. While being fired does not automatically remove you as a candidate, lying about it and having this come up during a background check most certainly will. One aspect that will be similar to a layoff, however, is to be succinct in explaining the situation and take ownership—get to the answer, don’t blame others, and drive it home. Once you rip the band-aid off, you can shift the conversation back. After the explanation, talk about what you learned both in that situation but at the company and role more broadly, and leverage this to begin talking about the job you are interviewing for again.
Again, in both situations being able to be direct, demonstrate the value you did provide, and use references as a supplement where possible can soften the blow of the question while also displaying an ability to communicate in tough spots.
With the primary question answered, the next thing you can do is fill the gap between your former employer and the interview. Employers want to know you are keeping active and engaged in the job market so consider discussing classes or additional development you have been a part of, any freelance work, volunteer or community work, or any other manner you pursued to improve your professional skills and knowledge.
Now that you have explained the reason for your departure and your activity in the interim, refocus the conversation toward your desire and competency for the job you are interviewing for. Answering these questions can be difficult, so be sure to give yourself time to prepare and practice an answer you feel satisfied with, but also that you think is effective. Using these skills will not only help you be able to speak more confidently as you navigate a difficult question, but display your resolve and communication skills in a pressure scenario.