If you have been fired, you may be afraid that your past will come back to haunt you in your next job interview. After all, you want to impress a potential new employer, and letting them know about a major failure isn't that impressive. But getting fired is not automatically a deal breaker.
So just how do you handle questions about your past? Here are a few strategies to try that might keep you on the "A list" when the interview is over.
1. Plan ahead to answer the question.
The best thing you can do is to get ready to answer questions about your experience. Prepare in advance by thinking about your negative work experience. Why were you fired? What did you learn from the experience? What did you do right, and what did you do wrong? Try to look at the situation objectively and from the employer's point of view, as well as your own.
2. Don't volunteer the information.
It is acceptable - and advisable - to package the truth in a way that is most favorable to you.
For example, you can say you "left the company" or briefly mention that job and move on to your next position and what you accomplished there. Keep in mind, however, that this tactic does not work in all situations. It works best if the firing was several jobs ago and you have more relevant job experience to discuss.
3. Explain the situation briefly, then focus on the positive.
For example: "Our company went through a great deal of change in the time that I was employed, as did my department. Unfortunately, my new supervisor was in need of skills I did not possess at that time." Once you have explained why you were let go, then it's time to move to the positive. For example: "Since that time I have continuously updated my skills to make myself a well-rounded contributor. I have taken additional computer classes, become involved with the industry's trade association, and feel that this job experience made me a better candidate e in the long run."
This means learning from the past, but thinking about the future.
4. Stay positive, no matter what.
Even if you got the short end of the stick (受到了不公平的待遇), it is your job in the interview to stay positive and professional. Again, if you are asked about your former boss and have nothing good to say, bite your tongue(忍住不说) for a minute and focus on your work and what you learned from the situation.
