Pongo Resume

The interview is going splendidly. You seem to have exactly the background they're looking for. You've built a good rapport with your interviewers, and you have a good feeling about the corporate culture. Then comes the question you've been dreading. "Why did you leave your last job?" The short answer is that you were fired. To this day, it still hurts to even think about it. But you have to answer the question. Your challenge lies in how to "spin" the answer to avoid coming off as a whiner.

Tempting as it may be, you know you can't lie because, as interviewing expert Michael Neece says, "Experienced interviewers have well-developed BS detectors."

The truth is: Your old employer let you go because you and your boss didn't see things eye to eye. It was a case of mutual frustration, and in the end, they felt you were the expendable one.

This is where the concept of "spin" comes in handy. Put simply, "spin" is a way of explaining something negative so that it enhances, rather than detracts from, your objectives.

So, pretend you're a hiring manager and you've just asked the candidate: "Why did you leave your last job?" Below are two possible answers. Notice how the first sounds negative, emotional, and whiny, while the second sounds positive, factual, and professional. That's the wonderful world of spin.

Negative, Emotional, Whiny

It was a really hard job, and I got a new manager who didn't really like me. I was doing my best but he just kept criticizing my work. The frustration kept mounting and he knew it, but did he do anything about it? Nope. Then the business had a bad quarter, so all departments had to make budget cuts. He took the easy way out and canned me.

See how this lays most of the blame on the boss? Note especially the phrases "didn't really like me" and "took the easy way out." It doesn't say how the job seeker might have been proactive and tried to correct the situation. Such a negative answer might leave the hiring manager seeing this person as a malcontent who likes to complain.

Here's the answer with the positive spin:

Positive, Factual, Professional

Well, I worked very hard at the job I was doing and I was working with a new manager. I checked in with him every couple days to be sure I was meeting his expectations and that we were on the same page. But it seemed that objectives for me and my department were never well defined. One day, not long after the quarterly revenue reports showed companywide losses and management had ordered each department to make budget cuts, he pulled me into his office and told me things weren't working out, so the company was letting me go. I was upset, of course, but as it turned out, the time off has allowed me to assess what happened, what kind of company I want to work for, and what I needed to change within myself to achieve success going forward.

In this example, the job seeker doesn't disparage the ex-boss, and recounts the firing through the use of objective facts (" … he pulled me into his office and told me things weren't working out, so the company was letting me go … "). Then it gets better. The job seeker explains how he looked within himself during the time out of work to make personal improvements that would apply in future professional roles.

The Lesson

When you're presenting your credentials to a would-be employer, you are your own salesperson. You need to emphasize the positive stuff and minimize the negative as a way to stay on your chief message: that you are the one who can solve the hiring manager's problems.

If you can put a positive spin on an otherwise negative answer, the employer just might conclude that you not only have the right skills, you have a positive attitude, which is something just about every organization wants throughout its ranks.

Have you handled a similar situation in your work life? Tell us about it!

Thanks for your help on this. Should I need to explain why an employer fired me for falling asleep on the job (4 am on patrol duty and having failed to turn my portable radio up to hear calls from the staff....accidental, unintentional dose off) then what might be the best spin to attach to the facts? And the time I was fired from another job, whose employers insisted I had made a grave, possibly intentional mistake on some customer orders, which I know I did not make, but I believed that I was being framed in order that they may find reason to can me for whatever reason. What spin can I place upon that?D

Hi John!

Your answer should focus on these two approaches:

(1) Assume personal responsibility for what you did wrong. (2) Emphasize what you learned and how it made you a better employee. Or maybe the patrol duty job in the middle of the night just wasn't working out for you and you just HAD to work days (assuming you did or do now) and have become better for it.

Bottom line: Don't lie, give them the facts rather than opinions, don't get emotional, and tell them how you learn from your mistakes.

Good luck! ~ Rick

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP ON THIS ON JOHN I was fired from a job I've had for over 30-years for violating company policy by looking at labs results of my college student son. I've never had any problems in all my years with the company. HOW DO I PUT A SPIN ON THIS ONE? I'M STILL UN-EMPLOYED 7-MONTHS LATER. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

John, thanks for the info on this. My hubby was fired from his job of nearly 30 years and ultimately what it came down to, tho the company would NEVER admit it in a million years, was that they didn't want to have to pay his senior salary any more. Even the unemployment hearing officer admited that to him. The reason he was fired was SO absurb and arcane that the hearing office could simply not believe it. (The company, btw, tried to fight him getting his unemployment benefits). The officer also told us that the company has a bad rep where its employees are concerned and it was clearly all about them not wanting to pay him. The company, btw, has also been downgrading the salaries for the last 3 years and he became a target.

When he has gone on interviews and he explains the "official" reason he was fired, all have simply shook their head in amazement and even said, "Are you KIDDING? For THAT?"

He now has a job, abeit at 1/2 the salary, tho his salary is now about the same as what other managers are now making with his old company. He's working less hours (formerly 60-70) and has less stress and much better beneifts. The old company, btw, has MAJOR morale problems and practices extreme micromanagment by intimation. Needless to say, I think he's realizing that getting fired might just have been the best thing, cause he would have never left on his own 'cause he was a "company man" to the core.

my previous employer just simple took me off the schedule. i was the assistant manager and for the next 2 pay periods i was just told that i was not on the schedule , but never given a reason why. after i got the hint i applied for unemployment benifits. when my previous manager was asked by the employment commission, he said that i was suspected of embezzlement, which the officer did not agree with because i did get my benifits. also i was told by another potential employer that he also told them the same thing. although that was never brought to my attention or brought up on any charges this is hurting my job search that he may continue to say this. please help

I left a former employer due to sexual discrimination and harassment. I filed a lawsuit but was defeated with summary judgment. Now the suit is public record. If you google my name it comes up immediately. If you were a hiring manager would you pass me by? I am feeling like the victim all over again. I think potential employers see ME as trouble. Advice Please!

Hello, I was fired due to a rule violation, I emailed a funny joke to another co-worker. How do I explain that to the interviewer? I'm scared because I don't know what to say. My husband told me I should have just took them off my resume but I Kept it on. Could you give me a few answer to let me know what should I do?

@ Latasha -- Whatever you do, don't mention your firing on your resume. Otherwise, you send up a red flag that will probably stop your chances right there. Your goal with the resume is to land an interview.

If you land an interview and they ask you why you left that job, that's when you should bring up the circumstances behind your firing. Mention the facts, without getting emotional. If you believe that you were clearly in the wrong regarding that e-mail, tell the interviewer what you learned about your error and how you'll make sure it won't happen again. The more sincere you are, the better.

Hope this helps! ~ Rick

Hi there! I am trying to apply for a job as an RN after being fired a year ago from my previous hospital employer, from which the reason were very flimsy. Now my question is, do you need to put in your resume that you were terminated as the reason for leaving previous emplower?

Please advise. It's been a tough year! Thanks a lot.

@ Dave -- No, don't say a thing in your resume about why your prior employment ended. Your main goal with a resume is to land an interview, and mentioning that you were fired can send the employer a "red flag" that can prevent you from being called to interview.

However, if an employer asks you to fill out an application, the application may ask your "reason for leaving." Be honest, but limit your answer only to the facts. If they ask, again, be honest without bad-mouthing your former employer.

Best of luck! ~ Rick

should reason for leaving be "will discuss during interview."

@ Lanny -- If the employer's application asks for that, then write down the reason. If you were fired, I suggest "involuntary termination." If they want to ask questions during the interview, they should. But stick to the facts when you answer.

I'm applying for a new job. The last one terminated me because I violated company policy when using a gift card a customer gave me. I didn't know this wasn't aloud let alone be fired for it. How should I explain myself and what short answer on the application should I write "reason for leaving"?

@ Justine -- The best way to explain your apparent error is in the interview. If they ask you about it, give them the facts, explain that (maybe) you weren't aware of the policy, and explain further the lesson you learned, that in the future you won't accept gifts from customers, or you'll check with your boss, or (if it was spelled out in a policy manual and you didn't see it) you'll make sure you're aware of all policies that apply to you.

On the application, as I replied to another commenter above, I'd write "involuntary termination" as your reason for leaving.

I am a very experienced ER nurse who was recently "involuntarily terminated" for absenteism. However, my work place had become increasingly negative and morale was in tthe toilet so I think my soul had actually checked out quite awhile ago. Other than the financial stress right now, I think this is the best thisng that could have happened(except the firing part). How do I put a good spin on this 1)without being negative about my former management and 2) let potential employers know I am NOT a slacker. That this was poor behaviour on my part b/c I was avoiding the real problems? Sorry, I am rambling. Thanks for any tips!!

@ Susan R -- The bad part is that if an employer asks them for a reference, or why you were let go, there's a reason, and it will probably not reflect well on you. One advantage you might have here is that if other health care providers knew of the morale problems at your former employer, they *may* assume you were unhappy and overlook that.

On the other hand, they might see your absenteesism and question your reliability. You need to assure them that you can be counted upon to do your job and do it right. That's where you need to line up references who can vouch for you and address the problems at your former employer.

Hope this helps! Best of luck!

I work in radiology which is a saturated field. Jobs are few and far between right now. Having been terminated for using crude humor and what they say seemed like uncompassionate care. A- I don't see how this can be spun positively. B- In such a competitive field, I believe even "involuntary termination" will prevent an interview from even happening. Any suggestions?

Furthermore, it's been suggested that since I worked 2 jobs through november, I should simply leave the one I've been fired from off my resume altogether. And since I'm currently enrolling in classes, that I should suggest that I left that job in november to pursue school. Seems somewhat deceitful.

@ JJ -- If it was a short-lived job and would hurt your chances of getting a job something else - without even considering the reasons you were let go - then leave it out of the resume. But if you fill out a job application, you're going to have to list it. And they may contact that employer.

You are indeed right in that it's difficult to put a positive spin on your situation. If their reasons for your termination were spot on, then explain what you learned from it, and how you've become better for it. Then, when you get hired, prove to the employer that you did indeed learn from it.

Good luck!

My last job was toxic. The morale, stress and work load was so horrendous that I developed migraines and my immune system shut down. I had to take a month of medical leave and while waiting for my doctor to give clearance my employer fired me for not showing up (even though they were aware of me waiting on cllearance). How do I spin this in a positive light? My recruiter told me to say that when I was returning from medical leave the company informed me my position was no longer vailable.

Hi Kristin

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. It doesn't sound like you were to blame or did anything wrong. If you were told by your employer that the position was eliminated then you can speak of this in your interview otherwise, remember that honesty is the best policy and because the reason you were let go was beyond your control there would be no reason to alter or "spin" the truth.

Best of Luck,

Kati

I was terminated from job for performance after 19 years. The company that I worked for terminated most of the upper level managers in my division. My new VP told me that my region was not meeting sales and profit objectives. Most of the company at that time was in the same boat.

My salary was one of the highest in my region and I feel that this contributed to me being terminated. After all, I had made many sales and profit contributions in years prior to my low performing 2 years. 1. should I tell propective employers I was terminated? 2. How should I explain this in a positive light?

Hello Roy,

You want to try your best to appear optimistic when explaining the reason why you no longer work for that company. Reiterate the fact that you had been there for 19 years and may have been the longest tenured person in the region. This will show your dedication and work ethic, and should take the light off the fact you were let go at that company.

Good luck with everything! - Leslie

Hi. After working for a mid-size public accounting firm for about a year and a half, I was let go. The partner told me that I still made quite a few minor mistakes which I shouldn't have after spending to busy tax seasons with that firm. He also said I might lack analytical thinking that is required for the job. I've already started job searching and started to receive phone calls from the recruiters, but have no idea of what to tell honestly, but positively about my reason for being let go. Please help. Thanks.

The ideal candidate usually does not exist. And who is the ideal candidate is only a matter of opinion. It is rare when someone is perfect for a position. Every candidate has a weakness to compensate for. The person who wins the job is simply the person who interviewed the best and was skilled at handling the weaknesses that came up during the interview. When you are faced with a weakness you have to demonstrate that you can still get the job done. First, Validate the weakness but then Educate them with the strengths you do bring to the position and be specific. Let them know that you are confident in your abilities to get the job done by relying on your strengths.

Hope this helps! Kati

@Kristin PLEASE look into the employment laws within your state. I was in a similar situation (also a nurse) where I NEEDED to take a leave from a very unhealthy environment. Employers frown upon staff taking FML and I am still convinced, taking it for your own mental health is considered "not a valid reason" in most employer's eyes. Yet having a physical ailment or surgical procedure is!?? Family Medical Leave should PROTECT your position unless you exhausted the time off. THERE ARE LAWS.

I worked for a company on contract for 14 years with consistent 5.0 evaluations. After a heated argument in the staff room with two other staff over politics, I was called by the boss and placed on administrative leave. After two and a half months they came back with a recomendation of termination, I was given the opportunity to resign with dignity and a few benefits (1 month severence and 6 months paid medical). My problem now is that I'm being asked regularly in online job applications if I have ever failed to complete a contract. I have to answer yes but when I do so they then want an explanation to my failing to complete the contract. In my industry this failure to complete a contract sends a huge red flag alone and I know that this is keeping me from seeing an interview. I find it hard to believe that I would be the only person singled out of the three involved, the only one placed on leave, and the only one required to resign over an argument that all parties created. I have contemplated explaining it as hostile work environment but do not know if this continues to create another red flag or place a positive spin on the reason for leaving. I would appreciate your input. Thank you.

Hi Jonathan,

I’m sorry to hear about your circumstances. Your best bet would to remain open and honest about your situation. Own up to your actions and don’t try to place blame on anyone else. I think this other article just might help you out a little more:

http://www.pongoresume.com/blogPosts/477/how-to-get-hired-after-you-ve-been-fired-or-worse-.cfm

We wish you all the best! - Leslie

So how is this for a spin: I said it wasn't a good fir. They were frustrated with me, and the job just wasn't what I was looking for, so we parted company.

My worry is will my new employer find out I was terminated, and will my "spin" be looked on as a lie or being evasive? Is it really necessary to disclose everything about a bad working experience?

Good morning Scott,

I like the idea of saying you and the company decided to part ways. I would probably leave out the part where you said they were frustrated with you though. Don’t focus on anything negative especially regarding your performance.

I hope this helps :-)

I'm at a loss and am panicked. I was fired for several reasons. I was informed that there were witnesses that I was using computer time for personal needs. This is not true. I have requested that a tech person look at my computer activity to prove that I have not done this. I was informed that I had made ill willed statements towards a gay co-worker which is also not true. I was also informed that I had violated HIPAA laws by not redirecting a patient (I work in a hospital).

I have all of these complaints stacked against me and none of them are true. I feel like I'm being sabotaged but I have absolutely no idea as to why.

I'm also wondering if I should tell an interviewer that I am still working at my last job so that they won't contact them and ask them if I'm working there.

Please help!

P.S. Do interviewers ever ask for details about a firing? I'm just afraid that even if I put a good spin on things the interviewer will push and push for more details. I don't know how I would handle that.

Hi JR,

If they do ask, put a positive spin on the truth. Avoid harsh words like "fired" or "terminated." Talk about things like "differing expectations," or "a mutual realization that it wasn't a good fit."

Be factual and brief, then change the subject. Finish your answer with a statement or question that redirects the topic back to your qualifications and enthusiasm for the new job.

When you're presenting your credentials to a would-be employer, you are your own salesperson. You need to emphasize the positive stuff and minimize the negative as a way to stay on your chief message: that you are the one who can solve the hiring manager's problems.

Also, you never want to lie about still working for a company. You never want to lie in an interview, period.

Best of luck! Bridget

Thank you. I hope you don't mind me asking follow up questions. I was wondering if I should say that I was laid off. But then again I don't know if employers will ask for proof that I was laid off.

I heard that if I were to say that I'm still working at my former job that when a future employer goes through with the background check they will then see my dates of employment and know that I don't really work there anymore.

I was talking to a friend who had been fired and she told me that she has been telling employers that she isn't quite sure why she was fired but there was new management that came in and they appeared to have a certain agenda and for whatever reasons she didn't meet that agenda or criteria.

I fear that this doesn't sound good. I feel that if I say the word "management" a potential employer is going to immediately think...ok, this is about YOU and not management.

This friend of mine has a had a million interviews over the past year and a half and I'm wondering if what she is saying is preventing her from landing a job.

I fear that employers aren't going to want anyone who was let go no matter how I spin it. What is your experience with this? Do you think that employers truly give individuals chances when they have been fired?

I will take your advice and I will not use the word "fired" and I will say good things about my former employers. I guess all I can do is go in there and hope for the best. I'll definitely practice what I intend to say so that I'll be prepared.

JR, I think the suggestions made by your friend aren't necessarily going to represent you best to a potential new employer. Like Bridget said above, "Be factual and brief, then change the subject. Finish your answer with a statement or question that redirects the topic back to your qualifications and enthusiasm for the new job."

Also that last paragraph is exactly the type of attitude to have going into the interview. Be confident, truthful, and focus on why you're a good fit for the current position.

Good luck! Corey

hello. i have two basic question...when filling out a job application, do i list my reason for leaving as 'involuntary termination' or leave it blank? The issue was that i lost my private transportation and i told them to leave me off the schedule until i figure out my situation. unfortunately it took longer than anticipated so my boss said they had to remove me from system and listed reason as 'failure to report to work' or something along that line. second question is how much information are my former jobs at liberty to say when potential jobs conduct their reference checks, i mean, should i be nervous about reference checks when I've been involuntarily let go?

hello. i have two basic question...when filling out a job application, do i list my reason for leaving as 'involuntary termination' or leave it blank? The issue was that i lost my private transportation and i told them to leave me off the schedule until i figure out my situation. unfortunately it took longer than anticipated so my boss said they had to remove me from system and listed reason as 'failure to report to work' or something along that line. second question is how much information are my former jobs at liberty to say when potential jobs conduct their reference checks, i mean, should i be nervous about reference checks when I've been involuntarily let go?

I am currently out of work on short term disabilty. It's past the 12 weeks for fmla so my employer filled my position. I have now been told that there is a hiring freeze. I am still not cleared to go back to work yet by my doctor but if the hiring freeze is still in effect and I have to find a new job what do I say is my reason for leaving? Can I say they eliminated my positon? Also what can my employer say if the reference is checked? Can they say I was out on a medical leave? I'm really worried this is going to look really bad to my future employer even though I have followed all the steps to be out on the leave.

Hey I did not pass my 3 month probationary period. I left it out of my resume. I resigned from another job to go to this one. Should I mention that I worked at this job? I was thinking of making something up as to why I left the previous job if a recruiter asks me, but I'm finding it difficult to come up with anything convincing - because why would you just leave a job? Saying you didn't like it might not reflect too well on you.

There is also the problem that if I do not mention my most recent job, I have to account for a much longer unemployment period. Oh well, might just have to mention the last job, and implement the advice given above.

@KA. I wouldnt sweat over the 3 months. With the way the economy is nowadays 3 months hardly qualifies as a "resume gap". Besides a resume is suppose to list only the relevant information to be used in your favor and help you land an interview. If nothing about that job adds to your chances of landing the next, then dont feel you like you need to list it. If you do feel the need to offer why you left, keep it brief and subtle, "it turned out to not be a good fit for me, and am excitede to begin a new career path.", or something along those lines. Best of luck with your resume and the job search!

I was fired from a bank teller position a little over 2 years ago. My unemployment from that loss of job ran out 3 months ago and I am having lots of trouble getting another job. It was my fault I made a stupid mistake. It was busy day. It was the time of day when we had a lot of merchants making deposits as well. The merchant window was not open. Most merchants came to my window. My drawers were becoming so full that I had little room to keep the merchant deposits separate from my normal strapped money for refilling my top drawer. I squeezed a small merchant deposit next to my stacks of $100 dollar one-dollar bills not thinking it would hurt. It got busier and busier. I should have taken a moment and moved the many merchant deposit bundles to the back vault, but I really couldn't take the time because the line was not getting any smaller. The bank does not want unhappy customers waiting in line. A little later a customer came to ask for a $100 bundle of ones. One of the easiest transaction we have to do, but, I unknowingly and mistakenly gave that person the wrong pack. That person never came back to tell me of my mistake so I was unaware. At the end of the day when my drawer was short I almost immediately knew what had happened. My Managers tried their best to not get me fired because they knew it was a very bad stupid mistake. I had worked there for over 4 years with no problems, not to mention I had worked for over 40 years at other jobs and never got fired. Almost 30 years with the federal government which I retired from. But I believe it is hurting my job chances and I don't know what to do. I've had several interviews that look good until I answer the question about last job and tell them I was let go from last job and truthfully tell them why. What do I do?

I am a nurse, I practice in South Carolina. I was fired after working for 10 years at this company. I was fired for "failure to adhere to company policy and procedure". Though some of it was true I had been told by a person in management in secret to "watch my back", that a paper trail was being made to fire me. Basically, they had wanted me out for awhile, another person's position was being eliminated and my position was wanted by said person. I was not allowed to look at the papers where I had "made mistakes" and pointed out several things that were supposed to be done by other people not me. For months I had been harressed by 2 nurses, made to feel incompotent, put down and verbally "counseled" in front of co-workers, which is a big no-no. In short, after months of this, my self -esteem plummeted, and I hated going to work, i started working over just to make sure everything was done as perfect as possible, of course this is impossible, the things I was terminated for would have just been a slap on the rest for any to any other nurse, if that. Sorry to rant on, i have been out of work for 2 months, after I send in a resume', I have been called 3 times, by the time I call them back, they do not answer me, and will not call me back. Is my previous employer allowed to say anything in this state besides the date I was hired and fired?

Hello, I was fired from a job at a bank 9 years ago for making a very stupid mistake. I was 21 and my then husband was pressuring me to make an empty atm deposit that I would get money back on. I stupidly did this and got fired. I have since never violated any company policies at any of my other jobs and have an excellent work history since then. I have always put that I've never been fired on applications for fear of not getting an interview. This has never been a problem until recently when I was offered a job, started and recognized on my first day by someone at the job I was fired from. Going forward, I don't want to lose another job due to my past mistake 9 years ago. I know that employer does not even disclose a persons reasons for leaving and I don't know how to handle this on job applications in the future. Do I divulge the information? Do I leave it off my history completely. Even though that job is what gave me my banking and call center experience. Please help with some expert advice. I am no longer that 21 year old person. I am a responsible mother and employee who takes her job very seriously now. Thanks for any advice.

@MR

Fortunately nowadays job applications are become extremely rare, and most jobs have you only apply through sending a resume and cover letter. With that I would still list that job on the resume although may refrain from using anyone there as a reference. My assumption is that since then you have had other jobs and would choose to focus on those as the main portion of your resume. Keep the resume factual and focus on the achievements while you were at that job, not how it ended with your termination.

I was fired from a job that i worked at for about 2 years and was fired about a year ago for reasons im not really sure. One of the owners of the construction company (family owned him and his son owned it) did not like me. He was 82 years old and would always embaress me in front of customers (ex. I have some acne and he would ask in front of customers whats wrong with your face and he would scream at me for no reason) He is a very rude person and just treated me like crap (type of person who thinks he is better than you cause he has money) The day I got fired I knew it was happening cause I heard him talking to the office manager and I was the one who confronted her after the owner left and said am I getting fired she told me one of the reasons why was because I didnt do the dishes when she told me to (really not part of my job description I was a secretary) and I had some mistakes on some of my work

So my point of this story is im 24 just finished school for medical Assistant and I have been telling people I was laid off and know i should just tell them I was fired but I dont know how to approach it I dont want to sound whinny or make them think I have a problem with bosses. Also I have gone on so many interviews and I beleive Im not getting jobs is because I have no experience in the medical field besides school and my extern. How are you suppose to get experience if no one will give you a chance. Like today I thought I did awesome on this interview and I get a paper saying there are no available positions we will keep your resume and I know there are many jobs available at this company.

If you have any advice for me that would be great. This is so stressful and I need a job so bad. Thank you

P.S. Sorry if this is written badly Im just upset.

@ Jessica

I can tell by the tone in your blog post that you are stressed and upset but on the positive you are getting interviews and that's the most difficult part of the job process! I think this article does a good job of how to explain "why you left your last job" but we need to make sure the entire interview goes well from start to finish. Of all the tools we provide on the site the interview tips section to me is #1. It allows you to hear from an employer what they expect from you on an interview, what questions to ask, and how to properly prepare. It sounds like the interview is where things fall apart so take advantage of what we've put together so you can be 100% ready for the next one.

Hello, I was terminated from my job 1 day before completing my 90 day probation period for not being "The Right Fit". I never got any disciplinary write-ups, I got along with other staff members, I came to work on time each day, and when I went to another practice for training I received rave reviews and they other practice wanted to keep me. So to say the least I was very confused as to why I was being let go. How do I answer the question as to why I was fired when I don't know the answer myself?

@ Lytrese

The issue in your case is not why you were fired but rather why did you not ask to clarify your termination. Although being fired is a stressful time you want to use that as a time to build on your weaknesses. So, you can be honest with the new employer and let them know that you are not 100% sure why but also reiterate that it was a stressful time and admit you should have gotten clarification so you could better strengthen your skill set. This will show the employer that you are a dedicated candidate always looking to better yourself.

I have read your article and the advice posted here and I think it's great! But I am worried about my own situation: I was fired because from my first nursing job because I just didn't get along with the office supervisor due to her tendency to be rather nasty and play office politic games. Although I was there for less than 90 days, I feel I have no choice, but to keep this on my resume. As a new RN, I have to put this down this information because I did pick up valuable skills that I would not have otherwise and I must disclose where I have worked in the past and why I got fired to new hospitals. I can spin it and say that I got along with my coworkers, learned from my mistakes, and picked up valuable experience, however, my dream job was rescinded because when they called to verify employment, some specific not so nice things were said about me to the nurse recruiter. The nurse recruiter would not reveil what was said as expected. Even though I haven't had an issues with any other work place and got nice references from my new managers, I didn't have a leg to stand on. I took my case to a lawyer, but there was nothing that could be done. Unfortunately when I tired to peacefully reach out my old manager to figure out what was going on, my call was met with hostility, deflection, resistance...nice right? How do I overcome a vindictive former boss when they verify employment? Please help!

I have read your article and the advice posted here and I think it's great! But I am worried about my own situation: I was fired because from my first nursing job because I just didn't get along with the office supervisor due to her tendency to be rather nasty and play office politic games. Although I was there for less than 90 days, I feel I have no choice, but to keep this on my resume. As a new RN, I have to put this down this information because I did pick up valuable skills that I would not have otherwise and I must disclose where I have worked in the past and why I got fired to new hospitals. I can spin it and say that I got along with my coworkers, learned from my mistakes, and picked up valuable experience, however, my dream job was rescinded because when they called to verify employment, some specific not so nice things were said about me to the nurse recruiter. The nurse recruiter would not reveil what was said as expected. Even though I haven't had an issues with any other work place and got nice references from my new managers, I didn't have a leg to stand on. I took my case to a lawyer, but there was nothing that could be done. Unfortunately when I tired to peacefully reach out my old manager to figure out what was going on, my call was met with hostility, deflection, resistance...nice right? How do I overcome a vindictive former boss when they verify employment? Please help!

I have read your article and the advice posted here and I think it's great! But I am worried about my own situation: I was fired because from my first nursing job because I just didn't get along with the office supervisor due to her tendency to be rather nasty and play office politic games. Although I was there for less than 90 days, I feel I have no choice, but to keep this on my resume. As a new RN, I have to put this down this information because I did pick up valuable skills that I would not have otherwise and I must disclose where I have worked in the past and why I got fired to new hospitals. I can spin it and say that I got along with my coworkers, learned from my mistakes, and picked up valuable experience, however, my dream job was rescinded because when they called to verify employment, some specific not so nice things were said about me to the nurse recruiter. The nurse recruiter would not reveil what was said as expected. Even though I haven't had an issues with any other work place and got nice references from my new managers, I didn't have a leg to stand on. I took my case to a lawyer, but there was nothing that could be done. Unfortunately when I tired to peacefully reach out my old manager to figure out what was going on, my call was met with hostility, deflection, resistance...nice right? How do I overcome a vindictive former boss when they verify employment? Please help!