Mixing
How do I answer why I left an employer when it wasn't my choice to leave? [duplicate]
Clash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP
.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
This question already has an answer here:
How to answer “Why were you fired?†if you were not given any reason for being fired?
3 answers
Last month, I received a call in which my next level manager read a three minute script informing me that my employment with said company was at-will and, as such, my employment was being separated effective immediately. (This was on the first day of an approved vacation.)
I was not given any reason, nor was I given an opportunity to ask any questions. When I tried, I was told that the conversation had concluded.
To give some background, I had been with the company just under 3 years. My performance evaluations had been good. (I had even been told with the last one that it was one of the highest in my region.) I had been recognized by corporate for team engagement. Out of 14 managers/teams in my region, my team always came in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in sales (always far exceeding quotas).
No one had ever indicated to me that there was any type of problem. However, I strongly suspect that this manager knew that some things may come to light that would not bode well for him. (Not because I would have said anything but because his manager or HR may have caught something.) For example, he had not ever worked with me. There were some training modules assigned when I was hired that had never been finished because moving to the next phase required him working with me.
I would never discuss this in an interview or go into it on an application. However, I do try to be honest in both of these areas.
On an application or in an interview what can I state as my reason for leaving? Is 'laid off' an option?
EDIT:
I can understand (and even accept) that this question was considered a duplicate. However, the comments and answers to the to other question were not nearly as helpful as the comments and answers received for this one.
Also, I took the terminology to a different meaning. I always thought that being fired meant with cause and had a negative connotation. Other terms such as being let go, laid off, position eliminated, etc. seem to not indicate anything negative. (Note that some applications actually ask if you have ever been fired from a position.)
Is any of this thinking correct or am I just living in the dark ages? Any feedback would be helpful. Thanks.
interviewing applications
asked Nov 13 '14 at 12:02
Cindy
1857
marked as duplicate by gnat, Joe Strazzere, Jan Doggen, Telastyn, NotMe Nov 13 '14 at 14:47
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
This question already has an answer here:
How to answer “Why were you fired?†if you were not given any reason for being fired?
3 answers
Last month, I received a call in which my next level manager read a three minute script informing me that my employment with said company was at-will and, as such, my employment was being separated effective immediately. (This was on the first day of an approved vacation.)
I was not given any reason, nor was I given an opportunity to ask any questions. When I tried, I was told that the conversation had concluded.
To give some background, I had been with the company just under 3 years. My performance evaluations had been good. (I had even been told with the last one that it was one of the highest in my region.) I had been recognized by corporate for team engagement. Out of 14 managers/teams in my region, my team always came in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in sales (always far exceeding quotas).
No one had ever indicated to me that there was any type of problem. However, I strongly suspect that this manager knew that some things may come to light that would not bode well for him. (Not because I would have said anything but because his manager or HR may have caught something.) For example, he had not ever worked with me. There were some training modules assigned when I was hired that had never been finished because moving to the next phase required him working with me.
I would never discuss this in an interview or go into it on an application. However, I do try to be honest in both of these areas.
On an application or in an interview what can I state as my reason for leaving? Is 'laid off' an option?
EDIT:
I can understand (and even accept) that this question was considered a duplicate. However, the comments and answers to the to other question were not nearly as helpful as the comments and answers received for this one.
Also, I took the terminology to a different meaning. I always thought that being fired meant with cause and had a negative connotation. Other terms such as being let go, laid off, position eliminated, etc. seem to not indicate anything negative. (Note that some applications actually ask if you have ever been fired from a position.)
Is any of this thinking correct or am I just living in the dark ages? Any feedback would be helpful. Thanks.
interviewing applications
asked Nov 13 '14 at 12:02
Cindy
1857
marked as duplicate by gnat, Joe Strazzere, Jan Doggen, Telastyn, NotMe Nov 13 '14 at 14:47
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
3
You could always ask HR what exactly happened, but failing any further information being available, I'd probably just tell a future employer my position was eliminated.
– Laconic Droid
Nov 13 '14 at 13:17
1
Simply state "They read me a canned statement that I was employed at will and dismissed me with no reason stated. My repeated attempts to find why hit a managerial wall of silence. I was a top performer there, and I can provide you references from there if you so wish"
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Nov 13 '14 at 15:07
1
Side note: in some countries it is not legal to terminate employment without a valid reason. In such a country, you may even cite that company to court and win a compensation for being treated unfairly.
– Péter Török
Nov 13 '14 at 16:38
@PéterTörök Thanks, but I live in the US which is, for the most part, at-will employment. Certain states and localities have different laws but, unfortunately I live in Virginia which is an at-will state. We really have no protections from or recourse to these types of situations.
– Cindy
Nov 13 '14 at 16:49
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
This question already has an answer here:
How to answer “Why were you fired?†if you were not given any reason for being fired?
3 answers
Last month, I received a call in which my next level manager read a three minute script informing me that my employment with said company was at-will and, as such, my employment was being separated effective immediately. (This was on the first day of an approved vacation.)
I was not given any reason, nor was I given an opportunity to ask any questions. When I tried, I was told that the conversation had concluded.
To give some background, I had been with the company just under 3 years. My performance evaluations had been good. (I had even been told with the last one that it was one of the highest in my region.) I had been recognized by corporate for team engagement. Out of 14 managers/teams in my region, my team always came in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in sales (always far exceeding quotas).
No one had ever indicated to me that there was any type of problem. However, I strongly suspect that this manager knew that some things may come to light that would not bode well for him. (Not because I would have said anything but because his manager or HR may have caught something.) For example, he had not ever worked with me. There were some training modules assigned when I was hired that had never been finished because moving to the next phase required him working with me.
I would never discuss this in an interview or go into it on an application. However, I do try to be honest in both of these areas.
On an application or in an interview what can I state as my reason for leaving? Is 'laid off' an option?
EDIT:
I can understand (and even accept) that this question was considered a duplicate. However, the comments and answers to the to other question were not nearly as helpful as the comments and answers received for this one.
Also, I took the terminology to a different meaning. I always thought that being fired meant with cause and had a negative connotation. Other terms such as being let go, laid off, position eliminated, etc. seem to not indicate anything negative. (Note that some applications actually ask if you have ever been fired from a position.)
Is any of this thinking correct or am I just living in the dark ages? Any feedback would be helpful. Thanks.
interviewing applications
asked Nov 13 '14 at 12:02
Cindy
1857
This question already has an answer here:
How to answer “Why were you fired?†if you were not given any reason for being fired?
3 answers
Last month, I received a call in which my next level manager read a three minute script informing me that my employment with said company was at-will and, as such, my employment was being separated effective immediately. (This was on the first day of an approved vacation.)
I was not given any reason, nor was I given an opportunity to ask any questions. When I tried, I was told that the conversation had concluded.
To give some background, I had been with the company just under 3 years. My performance evaluations had been good. (I had even been told with the last one that it was one of the highest in my region.) I had been recognized by corporate for team engagement. Out of 14 managers/teams in my region, my team always came in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in sales (always far exceeding quotas).
No one had ever indicated to me that there was any type of problem. However, I strongly suspect that this manager knew that some things may come to light that would not bode well for him. (Not because I would have said anything but because his manager or HR may have caught something.) For example, he had not ever worked with me. There were some training modules assigned when I was hired that had never been finished because moving to the next phase required him working with me.
I would never discuss this in an interview or go into it on an application. However, I do try to be honest in both of these areas.
On an application or in an interview what can I state as my reason for leaving? Is 'laid off' an option?
EDIT:
I can understand (and even accept) that this question was considered a duplicate. However, the comments and answers to the to other question were not nearly as helpful as the comments and answers received for this one.
Also, I took the terminology to a different meaning. I always thought that being fired meant with cause and had a negative connotation. Other terms such as being let go, laid off, position eliminated, etc. seem to not indicate anything negative. (Note that some applications actually ask if you have ever been fired from a position.)
Is any of this thinking correct or am I just living in the dark ages? Any feedback would be helpful. Thanks.
This question already has an answer here:
How to answer “Why were you fired?†if you were not given any reason for being fired?
3 answers
interviewing applications
asked Nov 13 '14 at 12:02
Cindy
1857
edited Nov 13 '14 at 16:40
asked Nov 13 '14 at 12:02
Cindy
1857
asked Nov 13 '14 at 12:02
Cindy
1857
asked Nov 13 '14 at 12:02
Cindy
1857
1857
marked as duplicate by gnat, Joe Strazzere, Jan Doggen, Telastyn, NotMe Nov 13 '14 at 14:47
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
marked as duplicate by gnat, Joe Strazzere, Jan Doggen, Telastyn, NotMe Nov 13 '14 at 14:47
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
3
You could always ask HR what exactly happened, but failing any further information being available, I'd probably just tell a future employer my position was eliminated.
– Laconic Droid
Nov 13 '14 at 13:17
1
Simply state "They read me a canned statement that I was employed at will and dismissed me with no reason stated. My repeated attempts to find why hit a managerial wall of silence. I was a top performer there, and I can provide you references from there if you so wish"
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Nov 13 '14 at 15:07
1
Side note: in some countries it is not legal to terminate employment without a valid reason. In such a country, you may even cite that company to court and win a compensation for being treated unfairly.
– Péter Török
Nov 13 '14 at 16:38
@PéterTörök Thanks, but I live in the US which is, for the most part, at-will employment. Certain states and localities have different laws but, unfortunately I live in Virginia which is an at-will state. We really have no protections from or recourse to these types of situations.
– Cindy
Nov 13 '14 at 16:49
suggest improvements |Â
3
You could always ask HR what exactly happened, but failing any further information being available, I'd probably just tell a future employer my position was eliminated.
– Laconic Droid
Nov 13 '14 at 13:17
1
Simply state "They read me a canned statement that I was employed at will and dismissed me with no reason stated. My repeated attempts to find why hit a managerial wall of silence. I was a top performer there, and I can provide you references from there if you so wish"
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Nov 13 '14 at 15:07
1
Side note: in some countries it is not legal to terminate employment without a valid reason. In such a country, you may even cite that company to court and win a compensation for being treated unfairly.
– Péter Török
Nov 13 '14 at 16:38
@PéterTörök Thanks, but I live in the US which is, for the most part, at-will employment. Certain states and localities have different laws but, unfortunately I live in Virginia which is an at-will state. We really have no protections from or recourse to these types of situations.
– Cindy
Nov 13 '14 at 16:49
3
3
You could always ask HR what exactly happened, but failing any further information being available, I'd probably just tell a future employer my position was eliminated.
– Laconic Droid
Nov 13 '14 at 13:17
You could always ask HR what exactly happened, but failing any further information being available, I'd probably just tell a future employer my position was eliminated.
– Laconic Droid
Nov 13 '14 at 13:17
1
1
Simply state "They read me a canned statement that I was employed at will and dismissed me with no reason stated. My repeated attempts to find why hit a managerial wall of silence. I was a top performer there, and I can provide you references from there if you so wish"
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Nov 13 '14 at 15:07
Simply state "They read me a canned statement that I was employed at will and dismissed me with no reason stated. My repeated attempts to find why hit a managerial wall of silence. I was a top performer there, and I can provide you references from there if you so wish"
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Nov 13 '14 at 15:07
1
1
Side note: in some countries it is not legal to terminate employment without a valid reason. In such a country, you may even cite that company to court and win a compensation for being treated unfairly.
– Péter Török
Nov 13 '14 at 16:38
Side note: in some countries it is not legal to terminate employment without a valid reason. In such a country, you may even cite that company to court and win a compensation for being treated unfairly.
– Péter Török
Nov 13 '14 at 16:38
@PéterTörök Thanks, but I live in the US which is, for the most part, at-will employment. Certain states and localities have different laws but, unfortunately I live in Virginia which is an at-will state. We really have no protections from or recourse to these types of situations.
– Cindy
Nov 13 '14 at 16:49
@PéterTörök Thanks, but I live in the US which is, for the most part, at-will employment. Certain states and localities have different laws but, unfortunately I live in Virginia which is an at-will state. We really have no protections from or recourse to these types of situations.
– Cindy
Nov 13 '14 at 16:49
suggest improvements |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
This is a tough one. If this had happened to me, I think I would be honest and forthcoming about what happened. I would say exactly what you have said in the first three paragraphs and in the first sentence of the fourth. Your performance was good; the company decided to terminate your employment without warning and with no explanation; and it's a complete mystery to you why this occurred.
What I would not do is speculate on why. There's nothing to be gained by trying to reason out what happened in an interview situation. Just stress the good work that you did there, the experience that you gained, and how it would be relevant to the new position.
answered Nov 13 '14 at 12:57
Roger
7,17132644
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
2
down vote
I'd say you can be relaxed about this (not that losing your job is relaxing in any way).
You weren't terminated for cause (in fact they went out of their way to avoid giving you a cause), which would be a tougher sell, but still doable as long as it wasn't illegal.
You can honestly say you lost your job due to a business decision, there was no specific reason and your appraisals had been excellent, enough said.
The last few years have given a lot of people your situation, don't let it stop you from moving on as it shouldn't.
answered Nov 13 '14 at 14:37
The Wandering Dev Manager
29.8k956107
suggest improvements |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
This is a tough one. If this had happened to me, I think I would be honest and forthcoming about what happened. I would say exactly what you have said in the first three paragraphs and in the first sentence of the fourth. Your performance was good; the company decided to terminate your employment without warning and with no explanation; and it's a complete mystery to you why this occurred.
What I would not do is speculate on why. There's nothing to be gained by trying to reason out what happened in an interview situation. Just stress the good work that you did there, the experience that you gained, and how it would be relevant to the new position.
answered Nov 13 '14 at 12:57
Roger
7,17132644
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
4
down vote
This is a tough one. If this had happened to me, I think I would be honest and forthcoming about what happened. I would say exactly what you have said in the first three paragraphs and in the first sentence of the fourth. Your performance was good; the company decided to terminate your employment without warning and with no explanation; and it's a complete mystery to you why this occurred.
What I would not do is speculate on why. There's nothing to be gained by trying to reason out what happened in an interview situation. Just stress the good work that you did there, the experience that you gained, and how it would be relevant to the new position.
answered Nov 13 '14 at 12:57
Roger
7,17132644
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
This is a tough one. If this had happened to me, I think I would be honest and forthcoming about what happened. I would say exactly what you have said in the first three paragraphs and in the first sentence of the fourth. Your performance was good; the company decided to terminate your employment without warning and with no explanation; and it's a complete mystery to you why this occurred.
What I would not do is speculate on why. There's nothing to be gained by trying to reason out what happened in an interview situation. Just stress the good work that you did there, the experience that you gained, and how it would be relevant to the new position.
answered Nov 13 '14 at 12:57
Roger
7,17132644
This is a tough one. If this had happened to me, I think I would be honest and forthcoming about what happened. I would say exactly what you have said in the first three paragraphs and in the first sentence of the fourth. Your performance was good; the company decided to terminate your employment without warning and with no explanation; and it's a complete mystery to you why this occurred.
What I would not do is speculate on why. There's nothing to be gained by trying to reason out what happened in an interview situation. Just stress the good work that you did there, the experience that you gained, and how it would be relevant to the new position.
answered Nov 13 '14 at 12:57
Roger
7,17132644
answered Nov 13 '14 at 12:57
Roger
7,17132644
answered Nov 13 '14 at 12:57
Roger
7,17132644
answered Nov 13 '14 at 12:57
Roger
7,17132644
7,17132644
suggest improvements |Â
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
2
down vote
I'd say you can be relaxed about this (not that losing your job is relaxing in any way).
You weren't terminated for cause (in fact they went out of their way to avoid giving you a cause), which would be a tougher sell, but still doable as long as it wasn't illegal.
You can honestly say you lost your job due to a business decision, there was no specific reason and your appraisals had been excellent, enough said.
The last few years have given a lot of people your situation, don't let it stop you from moving on as it shouldn't.
answered Nov 13 '14 at 14:37
The Wandering Dev Manager
29.8k956107
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
2
down vote
I'd say you can be relaxed about this (not that losing your job is relaxing in any way).
You weren't terminated for cause (in fact they went out of their way to avoid giving you a cause), which would be a tougher sell, but still doable as long as it wasn't illegal.
You can honestly say you lost your job due to a business decision, there was no specific reason and your appraisals had been excellent, enough said.
The last few years have given a lot of people your situation, don't let it stop you from moving on as it shouldn't.
answered Nov 13 '14 at 14:37
The Wandering Dev Manager
29.8k956107
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
I'd say you can be relaxed about this (not that losing your job is relaxing in any way).
You weren't terminated for cause (in fact they went out of their way to avoid giving you a cause), which would be a tougher sell, but still doable as long as it wasn't illegal.
You can honestly say you lost your job due to a business decision, there was no specific reason and your appraisals had been excellent, enough said.
The last few years have given a lot of people your situation, don't let it stop you from moving on as it shouldn't.
answered Nov 13 '14 at 14:37
The Wandering Dev Manager
29.8k956107
I'd say you can be relaxed about this (not that losing your job is relaxing in any way).
You weren't terminated for cause (in fact they went out of their way to avoid giving you a cause), which would be a tougher sell, but still doable as long as it wasn't illegal.
You can honestly say you lost your job due to a business decision, there was no specific reason and your appraisals had been excellent, enough said.
The last few years have given a lot of people your situation, don't let it stop you from moving on as it shouldn't.
answered Nov 13 '14 at 14:37
The Wandering Dev Manager
29.8k956107
answered Nov 13 '14 at 14:37
The Wandering Dev Manager
29.8k956107
answered Nov 13 '14 at 14:37
The Wandering Dev Manager
29.8k956107
answered Nov 13 '14 at 14:37
The Wandering Dev Manager
29.8k956107
29.8k956107
suggest improvements |Â
suggest improvements |Â
3
You could always ask HR what exactly happened, but failing any further information being available, I'd probably just tell a future employer my position was eliminated.
– Laconic Droid
Nov 13 '14 at 13:17
1
Simply state "They read me a canned statement that I was employed at will and dismissed me with no reason stated. My repeated attempts to find why hit a managerial wall of silence. I was a top performer there, and I can provide you references from there if you so wish"
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Nov 13 '14 at 15:07
1
Side note: in some countries it is not legal to terminate employment without a valid reason. In such a country, you may even cite that company to court and win a compensation for being treated unfairly.
– Péter Török
Nov 13 '14 at 16:38
@PéterTörök Thanks, but I live in the US which is, for the most part, at-will employment. Certain states and localities have different laws but, unfortunately I live in Virginia which is an at-will state. We really have no protections from or recourse to these types of situations.
– Cindy
Nov 13 '14 at 16:49