Vivo

You were fired. If you do not learn how to properly answer the question, “why did you leave your last position (or the one before that, or the one 5 years ago)” you will not be rehired. First, let’s review what does not work.

Hemming and hawing does not work. Yelling “I was fired” is likely preferable to stammering, stalling, hemming and hawing. You have to expect this question, and the interviewer expects an answer.

Blaming your employer/your crazy former boss does not work. Very few people who are fired think it is anything but the other person’s fault. Very few people who relay their belief that their firing was the result of someone else’s wrongdoing are rehired. It doesn’t matter who is really to blame – it’s just one of the three sides to the story, and is best left out of the interview altogether.

Mistaking the interview for a bonding time in which complete sharing is appropriate. Most often, when we ask a rejected candidate why he said “I was fired” during his interview, we are told “because we were really bonding. I could tell she understood me. I decided on full disclosure.” It is the interviewer’s job to find out how much you will tell her if she puts you at ease. It’s not a first date – it’s an interview.

Preparation is key. Expect the question and prepare an answer. Here are 5 better ways to say “I was fired”, when that is the truth.

(1) Simply state, (if true), “my position was eliminated.” If true, please say this. If the layoff coincides with a widely known economic downturn (market segment, geographic region, etc.) this is particularly wise. If your position was eliminated due to financial reasons, say it loud, and say it proud, irrespective of how horrible it felt for you at the time.
(2) Never Volunteer. Fired because you exploded at work after a particularly stressful 6-month period? Just succinctly say that you parted ways after ___ (describe the time; was it “after 8 successful product launches in 3 weeks”?
(3) Keep it short. Less is More. “We parted ways” may work if you’re nailing the interview and have a good resume otherwise.
(4) If it’s ancient history: fess up. If it was 3 or more positions ago, just say it, “I was fired”. Admit a learning lesson (always in hindsight), state your personal growth. Keep it simple, and to the point. If your most recent positions have shown career progression, longevity, (your) stability, etc., best to just come clean and move on.
(5) Discuss it with the person who fired you. Let’s say hypothetically you’ve had one really relevant position, and you’ll need that reference. There’s no way around it – you’ve been fired. Discuss it with the person who fired you. Call her. Buy her coffee. Ask her how you may word the termination. Remember that being fired holds you back when it comes to future employment. So, while we’re not suggesting that this person and you will become friends, you’d be surprised how far a simple conversation can go toward eliciting an agreeable response to “so, why did you leave that position, anyway?”.

Over(used) and Out?

Linked In published its list of the most over-used phrases yesterday They are:
1. Extensive experience
2. Innovative
3. Motivated
4. Results-oriented
5. Dynamic
6. Proven track record
7. Team player
8. Fast-paced
9. Problem solver
10. Entrepreneurial
So, what should you do if your Profile is laced with these fluff words? Should you rewrite immediately? Well, at least one expert advises, “if you are using any of these terms, wipe them out.” But, fluff is fluff. We in the Valley so love our Valley-speak after all. So, net net, at the end of the day, bottom-line? No one likely got thrown under the bus for using any of these meaningless terms…

As the client, when’s the last time you tested your (outside) recruiters as to their knowledge of your business? Your revenue model? Your unique value proposition? The credentials of your management team?  Well, guess what. Some of us are dying to answer these questions. 

More often than not, we are drilled on three issues: (1) our fee. How low can you get us? (2) our guarantee period. How high can you get that? (3) Our willingness to follow HR’s rules.  Obviously, if you get into quality of resumes, sourcing capabilities, technical screening skills, etc., most agencies’ pitches will sound similar to each other.  But, I cannot say we have ever been asked about the client’s business. And, we should.

Outside recruiters are sometimes the first a candidate has heard of your company and your opening.  Should we give wrong information, shed less-than-positive light on your company, or not follow up with candidates in a timely manner, the candidate is likely to think poorly of your company (and us).  With so much potential to harm the candidate pool, shouldn’t screening of recruiting partners include some basic expectations in this area as well?

One of the easiest and most successful ways to increase professional opportunities is through networking.  Networking is making connections with people who can help you or whom you can help in the future.  Think of it as a means of building relationships.

While you are looking for a new career opportunity, that process becomes your full-time job until you have “landed”.  What I mean by this is every day make a plan to attend a networking event, sign up for a free forum or discussion board membership and email or call everyone you have ever worked with including peers, sub-ordinates and managers and schedule a lunch appointment or a coffee meeting.   Try to limit networking with other unemployed people because they are not likely to be in a position to help you.

Get your business cards ready and be sure to bring them with you to events. Create an email or forum signature to append to your online comments and be sure to include a link back to your website or other contact information.  Keep an eye on your local professional organizations for events in your area. For virtual networking, check Yahoo! Groups for one that falls within your interests, and look around for forums or bulletin boards where you can share information with other users. And of course, don’t forget online networking leader LinkedIn.

Networking is not easy for many of us. It feels even more difficult once you are unemployed, because you may begin to feel like you have less to offer to the persons with whom you are networking.  The only answer here is to stay relevant.  Stay connected to your profession by reading, writing, and commenting on industry blogs and forums, and by remembering to ask your connections to walk you through the business problems they are currently facing.  See yourself as a current leader and subject matter expert, and others will too – irrespective of the paycheck (or lack thereof).