Explaining a 6-month job in an interview

ancapailldorcha

I was just wondering if anyone here might have advice on how one might go about explaining a short stint in a job in an interview. I was hired last year by a company but it turned out that I didn't really fit the job. I had a skillset which was very different from everyone else on my team. I ended up being let go. I have a few interviews lined up over the next few weeks and they said that there was no bother regarding references.

ki

Contract Position for a Project.

Project Finished so too did the team/position.

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cloudatlas

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

I was just wondering if anyone here might have advice on how one might go about explaining a short stint in a job in an interview. I was hired last year by a company but it turned out that I didn't really fit the job. I had a skillset which was very different from everyone else on my team. I ended up being let go. I have a few interviews lined up over the next few weeks and they said that there was no bother regarding references.

How long did it take you to find another position after that one? If they ask why did you leave X? You could say exactly what you said above skill set didn't suit so I moved on to work at another job where said skill set fit perfectly. Make it a positive.

ancapailldorcha

cloudatlas wrote: »

How long did it take you to find another position after that one? If they ask why did you leave X? You could say exactly what you said above skill set didn't suit so I moved on to work at another job where said skill set fit perfectly. Make it a positive.

This was my most recent position. I was let go in March.

Thanks. That was what I thought I would say but didn't know if it would wash.

pilly

ki wrote: »

Contract Position for a Project.

Project Finished so too did the team/position.

That's a tough one because it's not strictly true if they do ring for a reference.

Don't really know OP, maybe something like the job wasn't what you'd imagined it would be and didn't suit your skill set?

There's probably a better answer than that one but don't tell a lie just in case.

Do you have another referee from the job before that?

cloudatlas

pilly wrote: »

That's a tough one because it's not strictly true if they do ring for a reference.

Don't really know OP, maybe something like the job wasn't what you'd imagined it would be and didn't suit your skill set?

There's probably a better answer than that one but don't tell a lie just in case.

Do you have another referee from the job before that?

I agree it's too risky to say it was a project. Just say it wasn't a good fit skills wise but the positive thing is that this job offers an exact fit etc.,

Lux23

Do employers really ask these questions? Unless someone had a very bitty CV I don't think I would question one six month stint in a company and if I were to question it I would probably appreciate a honest answer like you mentioned.

pilly

Lux23 wrote: »

Do employers really ask these questions? Unless someone had a very bitty CV I don't think I would question one six month stint in a company and if I were to question it I would probably appreciate a honest answer like you mentioned.

Yeah from my experience they will always ask why you left your last position. And sometimes all your positions. It's also on a lot of application forms.

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Misguided1

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

I was just wondering if anyone here might have advice on how one might go about explaining a short stint in a job in an interview. I was hired last year by a company but it turned out that I didn't really fit the job. I had a skillset which was very different from everyone else on my team. I ended up being let go. I have a few interviews lined up over the next few weeks and they said that there was no bother regarding references.

A potential employer will want a reference so best to be honest.
If you left on good terms with both of you agreeing that it was best to move on due to your skillset not being a fit, just explain that.

I think the reference will be more important than how you answer the question but they will ask about it.

Lux23

pilly wrote: »

Yeah from my experience they will always ask why you left your last position. And sometimes all your positions. It's also on a lot of application forms.

But that's not asking why were you only there six months, I guess it may as well be I suppose.

ancapailldorcha

pilly wrote: »

Yeah from my experience they will always ask why you left your last position. And sometimes all your positions. It's also on a lot of application forms.

Fair enough. I have a few interviews now though so I want to make sure I don't feck it up, hence this thread.

pilly

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

Fair enough. I have a few interviews now though so I want to make sure I don't feck it up, hence this thread.

Best of luck. If your former employer has said they'll give you a reference I think you'll be fine.

the_syco

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The "will you hire him again" question will get a "no" as he's not a good fit.

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

I have a few interviews lined up over the next few weeks and they said that there was no bother regarding references.

Maybe have a mate ring up, to see what the reference says?

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Samsgirl

Just don't put them down as a referee? I have been able to pick my referees from previous employment.

ancapailldorcha

Samsgirl wrote: »

Just don't put them down as a referee? I have been able to pick my referees from previous employment.

Would that not look bad? It's my most recent position.

ProudDUB

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

Would that not look bad? It's my most recent position.

No. There are plenty of good reasons for not putting down your most recent job, especially if you were only there six months. They won't really have gotten to know you all that well in just six months. Older employers who you worked for for longer, even if it was a couple of years ago, could be looked on as being better references.

ancapailldorcha

ProudDUB wrote: »

No. There are plenty of good reasons for not putting down your most recent job, especially if you were only there six months. They won't really have gotten to know you all that well in just six months. Older employers who you worked for for longer, even if it was a couple of years ago, could be looked on as being better references.

Oh... Ok. They made it clear that I wasn't being dismissed and said I could put it down as a 6-month contract but I'm a bit worried that that small detail might get forgotten and I don't care too much for the idea of lying in an interview.

ProudDUB

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

Oh... Ok. They made it clear that I wasn't being dismissed and said I could put it down as a 6-month contract but I'm a bit worried that that small detail might get forgotten and I don't care too much for the idea of lying in an interview.

No one is asking you to lie. Just give the names of other employers, if you think they'll give you better references. People do it all the time. If you worked for a company for six years and didn't put them down as a reference, that might look a bit odd. But if you were only there for six months, I really wouldn't worry about it.

ancapailldorcha

ProudDUB wrote: »

No one is asking you to lie. Just give the names of other employers, if you think they'll give you better references. People do it all the time. If you worked for a company for six years and didn't put them down as a reference, that might look a bit odd. But if you were only there for six months, I really wouldn't worry about it.

Cheers. Thing is, I still need to explain the 6 month job in an interview for which I'll try and explain the situation.

Purple Mountain

I love the adage that goes- if you tell the truth you'll never have to remember anything.
Tell the truth and turn it into a positive one. How much you learned and something you achieved and that you parted the company on.very good terms but ultimately it was the skillet compatibility.
Honestly it's not as bad as you're worried about. They will appreciate your honesty much more than if you get caught out fibbing.
Focus on all the positives from your career life and remember that's only one potential question.
Good luck!

ProudDUB

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

Cheers. Thing is, I still need to explain the 6 month job in an interview for which I'll try and explain the situation.

Corporate Restructuring.

It works for everything. Says nothing and says everything, at the same time.

"Shortly after I started working there, the company went through corporate restructuing that resulted in a less fulfilling working environment. So I made the difficult decision to leave a wonderful company and great colleagues, to explore more rewarding career opportunities elsewhere, where my skills of (fill in the blanks yourself) will be better utilized"

ancapailldorcha

Thanks both. I'm just feeling a bit jittery. First interview is Monday and it's an all-day affair.

Purple Mountain

Think about it this way.. If you have numerous interviews lined up, obviously employers are noticing and liking your CV.

Misguided1

ProudDUB wrote: »

Corporate Restructuring.

It works for everything. Says nothing and says everything, at the same time.

"Shortly after I started working there, the company went through corporate restructuing that resulted in a less fulfilling working environment. So I made the difficult decision to leave a wonderful company and great colleagues, to explore more rewarding career opportunities elsewhere, where my skills of (fill in the blanks yourself) will be better utilized"

A good interviewer will see straight through that in my opinion.

And many companies specify that they want a reference from your most recent employment. I wouldn't advise making up a story that can't be backed up. There is no harm in saying your skillset wasn't a fit.

Be wary of tying yourself up in knots. It is obviously something you are very worried about so don't add to the worry by not being honest.

I do think you are overthinking it a little though. Try to relax and good luck!

skallywag

I would definitely be asking as to why the OP worked there for only 6 months, but as long as the CV isn't awash with short term engagements then I would not worry about explaining it, and would actually encourage an open and honest approach.

Any reasonable employer will know that sometimes it just does not work out, be it in terms of skillset, personality clash, etc.