Asked in an interview why I left job that I was basically sacked from.

neaideabh

Had an interview today. The company was one that deal a lot with a previous employer. Early in the interview I was making reference to the previous job as it was very relevant to the job I was interviewing for.
Then they asked the dreaded "Why did you leave that role?"
Seeing as I dealt with the company I was interviewing for in my old role... I couldn't lie and say it was a contract role, etc. I decided to be straight with them and said "Unfortunately, following my probationary period, my manager decided not to keep me on. I put this down to the fact that we didn't see eye to eye, and our personalities clashed." The truth was she was a total cow who filled me with dread and practically resorted to bullying.
I am a perfect fit for the role I interviewed for. I do not want this to ruin my chances!

Should I follow up with a Thank you e-mail indicating my huge desire for this role and ask them to not dismiss my application based on my previous employment admission? Tell them that I proved to be very reliable and trustworthy by those that I worked with?

Mrs OBumble

neaideabh wrote: »

Should I follow up with a Thank you e-mail indicating my huge desire for this role

This bit, yes. but don't sound desperate.

neaideabh wrote: »

and ask them to not dismiss my application based on my previous employment admission? Tell them that I proved to be very reliable and trustworthy by those that I worked with?

Leave this bit out. If they're in the industry, they know who the manager was and what she's like. Say nothing, keep things sounding professional.

drunkmonkey

Conflict with other managers/employees is never good. I'm not so sure about sending the email, if you done a good interview I'd nearly leave it at that as not to come across too strong if there 50/50 on you.
I don't think they odds are in your favour anyway, If you weren't in the role too long and don't need it on your CV I'd leave it off altogether.

Canadel

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Conflict with other managers/employees is never good.

True.

But allowing oneself to be bullied and walked over is worse.

neaideabh

OK.... OP here reopening this thread...
I have an interview for a great post that is basically a carbon copy of the job I was let go from...

Can you boardsies advise what the best answer would be to give when asked why I left that role?

Should I lie and state that it was a nine month contract role??? Or go with answer I gave in previous interview given in first post on this thread?

When I was let go they said any reference requests from potential employers would be a simple confirmation that I did work there and dates and nothing else as per hr policy.

Appreciate any help folks. In my prep for the interview, this is the only thing bothering me. Thanks

duffman13

neaideabh wrote: »

OK.... OP here reopening this thread...
I have an interview for a great post that is basically a carbon copy of the job I was let go from...

Can you boardsies advise what the best answer would be to give when asked why I left that role?

Should I lie and state that it was a nine month contract role??? Or go with answer I gave in previous interview given in first post on this thread?

When I was let go they said any reference requests from potential employers would be a simple confirmation that I did work there and dates and nothing else as per hr policy.

Appreciate any help folks. In my prep for the interview, this is the only thing bothering me. Thanks

I'd have to say lie, its the kind of thing in close run interviews will see you lose out to another candidate. The other option is to leave it off the cv entirely however it may be too late based on your post. The contract one is plausible aswell.

pilly

neaideabh wrote:

Should I lie and state that it was a nine month contract role??? Or go with answer I gave in previous interview given in first post on this thread?

Don't go with the original answer. Conflict never looks good.

Don't know about the contract thing tbh, could work but what if they ask the previous employer.

It's a tough one but hopefully you'll get in somewhere else soon and later be able to leave the other one out in future.

Phoebas

If you haven't worked since you started this thread in June last year, I'd be inclined to go for the white lie; it was a short term contract that didn't get extended.

Otherwise, it probably won't even come up, but just tell the 'truth'. Problem is, you don't really know the full truth. In your OP, you said you told them that you didn't get kept on and you put it down to you not seeing eye to eye with your manager, but you don't say what they put it down to.
You can just as easily tell the truth without putting that negative spin on the end of it. No interviewer wants to hear that you didn't see eye to eye with your manager. Avoid saying that.

ProudDUB

I certainly wouldn't be saying anything about clash of personalities in a job interview. That just screams that you may be difficult to work with. You may not be, but why attach that label to yourself from the get go?

There are plenty of answers that are suitably evasive, without giving the game away. They are more interested in what you can do for them, than what may have gone wrong for you at a fomer job. You could offer up something vague about needing a job closer to home/child care, and make it be about logistics, rather than personality clashes. Stuff that you can't really be caught out on, if you keep it vague. Or say that the "opportunities for growth" were not available or that you were not being sufficiently challenged. I wouldn't lie. It's too easy to be caught out on, if you let down your guard.

Don't ever say anything bad about your former employer or boss in an interview. Talk about all the good things that you learned while you were in your former job.... the experience you gained, the skills you acquired, the targets reached, the problems that you solved, the goals that you achieved etc etc. Give them specific examples of all of that. Rehearse them in your head, so you can get your point across in a clear and concise manner. Accentuate the positives of your time with your former company and, then sell them on the benefits of your transfering all that knowledge, skills & experience to your new company. Good luck !

pilly

Or could you possibly say you were going travelling or looking after a sick parent?

Phoebas

pilly wrote: »

Or could you possibly say you were going travelling or looking after a sick parent?

Interviews are difficult enough without the risk of having to follow unnecessary lies down a rabbit hole.

If you're going to tell a lie, at least make it one that doesn't invite follow on questions.

pilly

Phoebas wrote:

Interviews are difficult enough without the risk of having to follow unnecessary lies down a rabbit hole.

Look sometimes the end justifies the means. OP will not get the job by telling the truth.

Waffleturd

pilly wrote: »

Or could you possibly say you were going travelling or looking after a sick parent?

The sick parent thing is a no-no. Questions about the illness might arise from a particularly nosy interviewer. You may end up deepening the lie, they may view you as somebody who's sick parent might get in the way of you doing the job properly. If you get the job, it's something that might come up at work and you'd constantly have to live the lie.

Go with the "opportunities for growth" thing. Say you had reached your full potential at the last job. Anything but bullying or a sick parent.

Phoebas

pilly wrote: »

Look sometimes the end justifies the means. OP will not get the job by telling the truth.

I'd go for "NASA asked me to spend 6 months in the space station, teaching orphans how to cure cancer".
That'll seal the deal.

Jim2007

duffman13 wrote: »

I'd have to say lie, its the kind of thing in close run interviews will see you lose out to another candidate. The other option is to leave it off the cv entirely however it may be too late based on your post. The contract one is plausible aswell.

Always a dumb idea because you have no idea what contacts the person you're talking to has. On several occasions over the years I've been contacted by business contacts to see if I'd recommend X for a position at their firm even when X did not give me as a reference!

PREG1967

neaideabh wrote: »

Had an interview today. The company was one that deal a lot with a previous employer. Early in the interview I was making reference to the previous job as it was very relevant to the job I was interviewing for.
Then they asked the dreaded "Why did you leave that role?"
Seeing as I dealt with the company I was interviewing for in my old role... I couldn't lie and say it was a contract role, etc. I decided to be straight with them and said "Unfortunately, following my probationary period, my manager decided not to keep me on. I put this down to the fact that we didn't see eye to eye, and our personalities clashed." The truth was she was a total cow who filled me with dread and practically resorted to bullying.
I am a perfect fit for the role I interviewed for. I do not want this to ruin my chances!

Should I follow up with a Thank you e-mail indicating my huge desire for this role and ask them to not dismiss my application based on my previous employment admission? Tell them that I proved to be very reliable and trustworthy by those that I worked with?

You broke a cardinal rule and exposed yourself by citing personal grievances with your old manager. I wouldnt be hopeful if it was me:(

Chancer3001

looking for something more dynamic and challenging. the workplace seemed lacklustre and i always aim to be a high achiever. its what attracted me to your company in fact, ive always dreamed of working for a company like x

just say that

4ensic15

Chancer3001 wrote: »

looking for something more dynamic and challenging. the workplace seemed lacklustre and i always aim to be a high achiever. its what attracted me to your company in fact, ive always dreamed of working for a company like x

just say that

Doesn't explain why the o/p left the other job. One lie that I know some people have used effectively is to say that I left because I was asked to join a startup by a friend. After I left my job to go with the friend, it turned out that the startup had no funding and the friend gave up after a fortnight and went to Australia.

Etc

Keep the answer as brief as possible and say the contract ended. HR will comply with a request for dates of employment. If you need a verbal reference, is there someone in the organisation that was senior to you who you could trust.

If it's not a senior position you're applying for, I doubt anyone will dig deeply into your background. My experience is that hiring managers and HR teams are under too much pressure to do some digging.

Chancer3001

4ensic15 wrote: »

Doesn't explain why the o/p left the other job. .

Ah yeah it does

Op, the best advise is to keep this answer as simple as possible so that you can move past it as quickly as possible

Is there a gap in your cv?, if so, then the best thing to say is that you went travelling. Nearly everyone takes time time off to go travelling at some stage. I'm sure even the interviewer, it's a completely reasonable answer

Don't try some clever lie which might lead in to more questions which you will end up digging a big hole

If you found work immediately and there is no gap in your cv, then just explain that you found a more suitable role that you were excited about

Do not tell the real reason again , even though it sounds like you were totally justified in leaving. It just opens up a can of worms

Ps, this questions will come up in nearly every interview you will ever do, or if you are currently employed they will ask your reasons for leaving. They normally ask the same core questions at every interview, so there is no need to ever be unprepared for any interview. Use google to find the typical questions, prepare your answers and learn them. Walk in guns blazing

Good luck
Andy

wiz569

Chancer3001 wrote: »

looking for something more dynamic and challenging. the workplace seemed lacklustre and i always aim to be a high achiever. its what attracted me to your company in fact, ive always dreamed of working for a company like x

just say that

Except the job in question was a year ago so that didnt exactly work out, for a self proclaimed high flyer that excuse wont fly imo

Chancer3001

wiz569 wrote: »

Except the job in question was a year ago so that didnt exactly work out, for a self proclaimed high flyer that excuse wont fly imo

Left because it wasn't dynamic enough.

Found a better (more recent position that was more suitable to analyse amazing worker like myself ) but now I'm so excited that a job at your firm has become available. A further chance to improve myself and the company

A crappy question becomes a positive

wiz569

Chancer3001 wrote: »

Left because it wasn't dynamic enough.

Found a better (more recent position that was more suitable to analyse amazing worker like myself ) but now I'm so excited that a job at your firm has become available. A further chance to improve myself and the company

A crappy question becomes a positive

I agree your answers are good, but not if after they left they have been umemployed for 12 months, which it seems is the case in this instance

davo10

There isn't a right answer to this conundrum.

It all comes down to the interview, your attitude and the way you present yourself. Just highlight what you can bring to the job and hope for the best. Don't lie, despite what others have said, chances are you will get found out.

modmuffin

neaideabh wrote: »

OK.... OP here reopening this thread...
I have an interview for a great post that is basically a carbon copy of the job I was let go from...

Can you boardsies advise what the best answer would be to give when asked why I left that role?

Should I lie and state that it was a nine month contract role??? Or go with answer I gave in previous interview given in first post on this thread?

When I was let go they said any reference requests from potential employers would be a simple confirmation that I did work there and dates and nothing else as per hr policy.

Appreciate any help folks. In my prep for the interview, this is the only thing bothering me. Thanks

I do a lot of interviews. Say that why you loved the role, you didnt feel like the culture in that company was a good fit for you, and, seen as you had the travelling bug, you felt that was a good time to see the world. 
Now, having returned to Ireland you are keen to get back to a similar role in dynamic company like XYZ. 
Highlight your strengths and what you have learned since you left etc. 
You'll be fine. 
Be confident and communicate clearly.. and good luck

modmuffin

neaideabh wrote: »

OK.... OP here reopening this thread...
I have an interview for a great post that is basically a carbon copy of the job I was let go from...

Can you boardsies advise what the best answer would be to give when asked why I left that role?

Should I lie and state that it was a nine month contract role??? Or go with answer I gave in previous interview given in first post on this thread?

When I was let go they said any reference requests from potential employers would be a simple confirmation that I did work there and dates and nothing else as per hr policy.

Appreciate any help folks. In my prep for the interview, this is the only thing bothering me. Thanks

I do a lot of interviews. Say that why you loved the role, you didnt feel like the culture in that company was a good fit for you, and, seen as you had the travelling bug, you felt that was a good time to see the world. 
Now, having returned to Ireland you are keen to get back to a similar role in dynamic company like XYZ. 
Highlight your strengths and what you have learned since you left etc. 
You'll be fine. 
Be confident and communicate clearly.. and good luck

pauliebdub

How long ago was the role? Is is something that you can leave out of your CV, the gap you can explain by saying you went traveling.

Lots of people have left a job after a relatively short period of time, but explain the short duration in a positive light ie you were offered a much better job, a job in a better location. Don't mention anything negative like conflict and don't lie by mentioning illness etc.

barneystinson

PREG1967 wrote: »

You broke a cardinal rule and exposed yourself by citing personal grievances with your old manager. I wouldnt be hopeful if it was me:(

I'd say your lack of hope was borne out 11 months ago...

ProudDUB

davo10 wrote: »

There isn't a right answer to this conundrum.

It all comes down to the interview, your attitude and the way you present yourself. Just highlight what you can bring to the job and hope for the best. Don't lie, despite what others have said, chances are you will get found out.

Yep. Keep it simple. Don't over think it. No one leaves a job that they are 100% happy in, 100% of the time. We all bring some level of negativity from our current/former jobs into interviews. Interviewers know that. The trick is to not let that negatively impact the job you are interviewing for. Asking why you left your former job is a bog standard interview question, that everyone gets asked. All the interviewer is looking for, is something that sounds plausible and doesn't set off any alarm bells. They aren't expecting any long, War and Peace type sagas. Nor do they want them.

A good trick is to take control of the situation from the get go. Don't wait for them to catch you unawares and ask you why you left your job. Instead, offer up the answers to potentially awkward questions, when it suits you, not them. At the beginning of the interview, they'll probably ask you the standard opening questions....tell us about yourself, take me thru your CV, what are your key strengths and weaknesses, what would your former employer say about you etc etc.

Rehearse a brief & simple explanation of what you did at your former job and why you left, that paints BOTH of you in a good light. Work it into the answer of whatever question they ask you. Then simply change the subject, by moving on to some other interesting factoid about your self. It doesn't have to be a big deal, unless you choose to make it one.