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How to explain to an interviewer that you were laid off from your previous job

Imagine this: you’re in the middle of an interview and the interviewer asks why you left your last job. How do you explain that you were dismissed from your previous job?

It can be a tricky situation, but with a suitable approach, you can turn it into a positive talking point. In this article, we will give you some tips on how to explain that you were laid off from your previous job in a smart way. Keep reading!

Explain that you were not fired

When you’re let go from a job, it’s not always because you did something wrong. Sometimes it has nothing to do with you at all—your company had to let you go because they were downsizing or going through some other kind of restructuring.

That’s what you want to explain to your interviewer. It’s not that you were fired from your previous job—you were laid off. It’s a critical distinction to make, because being fired may reflect poorly on your skills and work ethic.

Make sure to have a solid explanation ready, and be prepared to answer any questions the interviewer might have. You don’t want this issue to be the deciding factor that keeps you from getting the job you want.

The language you should use to explain

Here are some things to keep in mind when describing being laid off to an interviewer:

Keep your explanation short and to the point. Don’t go into too much detail about why you were laid off if not prompted.
Be sure to use the word “laid off” rather than “fired.” It sounds less severe and will make the interviewer more likely to be understanding.
Emphasize that you’re looking for a fresh start and that you’re glad to be considered for this position. Highlight your strengths and how they make you a perfect fit for the role.

Talk about the circumstances that led to your layoff

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If you were laid off from your previous job, be prepared to talk about the circumstances that led to your layoff. There are a few things you can do to make sure you’re ready for this conversation:

Make sure you have a clear understanding of what happened. You don’t want to go into the interview having no idea what happened at your last job.
Practice talking about it. This is something you need to rehearse for because you don’t want to stumble over your words when you’re in the middle of an interview.
Don’t go into the nitty-gritty details if you’re not asked to share. You want to give the interviewer a bird’s eye view of what happened, without getting too bogged down by TMI.

If you can, try to put an optimistic spin on it by highlighting the skills and experience you gained from the position. Whatever you do, don’t lie or try to narrate the story in an untruthful way. The interviewer will see right through that via reference checks, and it will only make things more problematic for you.

Emphasize that being laid off is not a reflection of your work

Say something like, “I was laid off due to company restructuring. The HR team noted that it had nothing to do with my performance.” This will help the interviewer see that you’re a competent employee who can be a good fit for the job.

You can also talk about how you’ve been using your time since being laid off. Did you participate in volunteer work or take some time to travel and immerse in new cultures? This demonstrates that you have been using your time productively.

Whatever you do, don’t badmouth your former employer. This will only make you look unprofessional and reflect poorly on your character. Stay cheerful and focus on your anticipation for the future.

Getting laid off is a tough situation to be in, but you’re not alone. Many people have gone through the same thing. The key is, to be honest, and upfront with your interviewer. Tell them why you were let go and what you have learned from the experience. Highlight your strengths and emphasize how you can contribute to the company. Remember, your interview is an opportunity to show the employer you’re worthy of the position you’ve applied for. So go forth and ace it!

The benefits of taking career breaks and how to explain them in an interview

You’re interviewing for a job that you want and you know that your career gap will come up in the conversation.

You’re not sure how to explain it and you’re worried it will hurt your chances of getting the job. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. A lot of people have taken career breaks for one reason or another, and many of them are successful professionals. The key is to be prepared and know how to spin your career break in a positive light.

In this article, we will discuss the benefits of taking career breaks and how to explain them in an interview. Let’s roll!

What is a career break?

A career break is a time when you took a breather from your career, for whatever reason. It could be a substantially longer period when you traveled, volunteered, or just took some time to relax and refresh.

The benefits of taking career breaks

There are a lot of benefits to taking career breaks. For starters, it gives you a chance to recharge and explore other interests. Career breaks can also be a great opportunity to network and build your professional contacts. By staying connected and keeping your skills sharp, you will be in a better position to re-enter the workforce when you’re ready.

And finally, don’t forget that your time away from work can be seen as a strength rather than a weakness. Employers respect dedication and commitment, but they also understand that everyone needs a break sometimes. So don’t be afraid to talk about your career breaks during an interview—in fact, it could be the thing that sets you apart from the other candidates.

How to frame your career break on your application

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Your resume is your first opportunity to make a great impression on a potential employer, and it’s also your chance to explain why you took a break from your career. Here are a few tips for framing your career break in the best possible light:

Keep your resume concise and focus on the most relevant information.
Be clear about the reason for your break and how you’ve been preparing for a return to the workforce.
Emphasize the skills and experiences you gained during your time away from work in your cover letter.

Remember, you want to put your best foot forward, so make sure you take the time to polish up your resume and practice answering common interview questions. By framing your career break in a favorable light, you will be able to show potential employers that you’re ready to take on the challenge of returning to work.

How to talk about your career break in an interview

First of all, be honest. Don’t try to sugarcoat it or make up some story about why you had to take a break. If you’re asked why you were out of the workforce for a while, just tell the interviewer the truth—you took some time off to travel, care for a family member, or do something else.

Next, talk about the skills you developed during your time off. Maybe you learned how to cook, build something from scratch, or speak a foreign language. No matter what it is, be sure to mention it. This shows the interviewer that you weren’t just sitting on the couch watching Netflix for a full year—you were doing something constructive.

Finally, stress the fact that you’re ready to jump back into your career. You might have taken a break, but that doesn’t mean you’ve stopped learning or growing. You’ve still got all the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in today’s workforce, and you’re excited to use them to scale the company to greater heights.

As we come to a close, be comforted knowing that you’re not the only person with career breaks. If you’re applying for a job and feel like your breaks are a liability, don’t worry. There are ways to spin them in your favor as we’ve mentioned earlier. Pen down the benefits they’ve brought you and don’t forget to practice discussing them before your scheduled interview. Best of luck to you!

Best questions to ask at the end of an interview

The interviewer will almost always ask whether you have any questions for them at the end of an interview session. Your response should always be yes because you should take this chance to pose a few relevant ones.

Remember that the purpose of the interview isn’t merely to make your future employer want to hire you. It’s also about determining whether or not you think highly of the company and if you would be a good match. You will send a strong signal that you’re engaged and serious about the position if you ask the right inquiries.

Here are some of the best questions to ask at the end of an interview.

How do you measure success?

It’s critical to understand how a firm gauges the performance of its workers. It will assist you in determining what it would take to grow your career there and whether the employer’s beliefs are compatible with your own.

Why did the previous person leave?

While addressing this may be awkward, it demonstrates that you are keen on the organization’s operations. It’s important to discover if the individual who had the position before you was dismissed, transferred, or departed on their own before you jump into the very same role.

What do you like about this company?

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Inquiring about your interviewer’s personal experiences can provide you further clarity into the team culture as well as assist you to establish a relationship with them. Furthermore, this inquiry may offer you an inside look at the top advantages of working for the organization.

What type of person tends to succeed here?

This question demonstrates to the recruiter that you are concerned about your future with the organization, as well as assists you in determining whether you are a suitable match for the role. Imagine the individual you will be speaking to once the interviewer reveals what he or she is searching for in an applicant. Is that somebody a close match, or is it too far from who you are?

Do you have any qualms about my qualifications?

This query throws you into a competitive disadvantage, but it also demonstrates that you are confident in your ability to tackle your shortcomings. Their response may also offer you insight into where you rank and allow you to resolve any reservations the interviewer may have while you have their undivided attention during the session.

Can you let me in on the daily responsibilities of this job?

Lastly, this question might help you understand the many facets of the job, notably if it’s a cross-functional post or a high team collaboration position. You will ideally have a better grasp of the work duties, which will aid you in deciding whether or not it’s a suitable position for you. You will also have a deeper understanding of the precise skillsets necessary.

Failure to prepare questions might give the impression that you are uninterested in the position, so consider what you can gain from the interview if you ask a few. It’s critical that you use these questions to determine whether the work is truly appropriate for you. Consider adding some of the abovementioned interview questions while creating your list and use the opportunity to convince the employer that you will be a valuable asset to the team.

Top 10 traits that can wow an interviewer

First impressions matter when we are seeking work. Whether we like it or not, research has found that most recruiters will base their decisions on a gut feeling about a candidate.

Zety’s career expert Jacques Buffett tells us that traits differ from skills. He explains that skills refer to those found on your resume. For example, hard skills may be a programming language you possess, while soft skills include leadership, teamwork, and communication.

“Personal traits are the qualities that turn up during the interview. It’s the impression you leave through your attitude and how you compose yourself from the second you walk in the door,” Buffett remarked.

Do you want to know what the top 10 traits that can wow an interviewer are? Read on.

#1: Loyalty

Loyalty is key to any company. A loyal employee is likely to continue working with the company for a long time to come, which could translate to more impactful contributions in the long run. Most importantly, faithful employees save the company money since turnover is costly.

#2: Adaptability

The pandemic and its associated changes to the global economy have proven that adaptability is an essential trait for any employee or business. Apart from that, technology and social trends change rapidly, and people must adapt to the times. As such, a flexible employee who can tackle new problems without flinching is valuable to any company.

#3: Persistence

a hand holding a sparkle in the midst of the ocean

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Persistence is intertwined with adaptability. Adaptable employees must also be persistent, working hard in the face of evolving or challenging situations. A person who sticks through their actions to achieve the company’s goals makes them highly indispensable to employers. Well, no one wants a quitter, right?

#4: Open-mindedness

A trait that ties in with adaptability and persistence is open-mindedness. Candidates who are happy to try new methods of doing business, enter fresh markets, and collaborate with people who hold different ideas than themselves are far more likely to add value to a company than candidates who don’t.

#5: Honesty

Honesty is the quality of being upright. It is easy to see why interviewers are attracted to candidates who display signs of integrity. These potential employees are likely to do the right thing and uphold an honourable code of conduct throughout employment.

On the flip side, employees without integrity are likely to participate in corrupt or unethical activities that could shed an unnecessary spotlight on the company.

#6: Sincerity

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Sincerity is a highly subjective trait but a critical one. “It boils down to an impression a recruiter gets during an interview and if they really believe what the person is saying,” says Buffet.

If the recruiter believes the applicant to be insincere during an interview, they will likely not consider that applicant for employment. Colleagues and customers alike, too, would not want to deal with someone untruthful.

#7: Patience

Patience may seem like an impossible trait to possess in our fast-paced world. But it is essential when seeking employment.

Most modern workplaces are team-oriented, and to work effectively in a group, one must have patience. Rushing a customer through an order, demanding faster responses from a busy colleague, or otherwise behaving in demanding ways is not ideal at the workplace.

#8: Kindness

Truth be told, businesses can sometimes be highly competitive, and kindness seems out of the question. However, candidates who are harsh are most probably unable to work effectively with their teammates as inconsiderate behaviour is distasteful.

Thus, HR managers will be on the lookout for interviewees with pleasant personalities since such people can usually build relationships with others faster, which helps in project collaborations.

#9: Tolerance

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For the Chinese-educated, we bet you have heard of this phrase: 忍一时风平浪静, 退一步海阔天空. In other words, “Just tahan lah!” if faced with a difficult person or situation.

Well, this is somewhat the tolerance we’re talking about. Folks who are easily prejudiced or intolerant of others will not work effectively within an organisation composed of diverse and unique people.

“Hiring an intolerant employee can create an untenable environment, and recruiters want to avoid its negative effects,” Buffet notes.

#10: Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is essential, especially if you’re applying for a leadership position.

“There are plenty of bad bosses out there, and to be (a) good boss, you need emotional understanding and compassion. Employees aren’t robots. Teams are made up of unique individuals with unique traits and qualities,” highlighted Buffet.

With that said, we think working in any environment requires identifying and managing other coworkers’ emotions and feelings. Emotionally intelligent individuals are aware of their own emotions, capable of harnessing those emotions to drive productive output and regulating their sentiments to handle challenging situations best.

Final thoughts

Recruiters often use their first impressions of an interviewee to evaluate whether they have the abovementioned desirable traits. This means observation starts the moment you enter the meeting room or a video conference.

Some may even turn to modern tools such as social media to evaluate a candidate, as these platforms can be quite revealing of a person’s innermost traits. Ensure you do the necessary digital detox if you don’t want to reveal the less desirable sides of your secret life.

Experienced recruiter with 15 years in talent acquisition advises if you should interview for a job you don’t want

Times are hard these days, we understand. We’re also on the lookout for jobs and internships for you guys from time to time. Even more so for the desperate, it’s easy to mass send your resume out to companies, including job openings you don’t particularly take an interest to.

Last week, we wrote about some valuable tips for job seekers by recruitment experts from LinkedIn, Robert Walters, and Michael Page. Hop over to read if you’re currently on the lookout for a new job opportunity.

Today, we will put our focus on whether you should interview for a job you don’t want. We will be hearing from the wise words of Kevin Matthews, an experienced recruiter with 15 years in talent acquisition. He is also the managing director of KR Partners and founder & CEO of Candid-Intel.

#1: I mass sent out many applications during my job search and now I’m being called in for jobs that may not be the most suitable. Is it still worth taking the interview?

Firstly, it’s probably not a good idea to mass apply to jobs during your job search. I would advise you to get into the habit of being targeted as you will achieve better results that way. Now that you have gotten yourself in a bit of a bind with so many requests, don’t panic – go through each job that requested an interview and analyze three things before declining to attend:

Does the company or position match your current needs or aspirations? If your answer is no, skip the interview.
Are you sure you’re overqualified or not suitable for the position? For example, if the job description says they are looking for two years’ experience and you have seven, then you should probably skip it.
Is there anything you can learn from the interview? Interviewing, even if you’re unsure about the position or the company, can provide opportunities to practice your interpersonal and interviewing skills.

If you’re still convinced that attending the interview won’t be right for you, please respectfully decline with a short email.

#2: Is it alright to take an interview just to practice my interview skills even if I may not want the job?

“Well, I would advise if you’re unsure on the job or company that it’s still OK to attend and practice. However, if you’re 100% convinced that this opportunity is not right for you, don’t waste your time or the interviewer’s – conduct mock interviews with your friends to practice. That would be a better use of your time.”

#3: I was given a job offer and accepted it just before I was about to attend another interview. This interview was set up prior to the offer. Should I still take the meeting? Or should I decline to save everyone’s time?

Image Credits: Stocksy United

“My advice after spending many years in recruitment is to decline the interview and move on.

We all love to be wanted, but sometimes you have to know when it’s time to focus on the wonderful opportunity you have at hand. Running around the city and interviewing without a purpose is exhausting. Save everyone’s time and move on.”

#4: I’ve been offered several offers during my job hunt. Is this something I need to let a hiring manager know? Or is it better to keep this to myself?

“You are under no obligation to disclose whether you have been offered other job opportunities, its best to keep the information to yourself until you can gauge interest or compare offers – the hiring process is a bit like poker, so remember not to reveal your hand too early.”

#5: I’ve decided that the position is not the right fit for me. How do I politely decline the interview?

“Email is the preferable choice as many people are not comfortable declining an offer via the phone or face to face.

It’s important to remember to remain courteous in the email. Don’t be arrogant, remember you may have declined this opportunity but there could be future opportunities with the company or hiring manager that you want to be considered for. It’s advisable to remain professional and polite in your correspondence as it will leave a lasting impression.”