Explaining that you were let go

As someone who has worked in the media industry and someone who grew up in an economically depressed area, I’ve known many people who have been laid off from their jobs. I’ve also known some people who have been fired from their jobs. In both cases, I’m always impressed when people bounce back after being let go.

While being laid off and being fired are different circumstances, people hit by those events often find themselves in similar positions during their job searches. They’re often thrust into unemployment. They may lose a support network of work friends. Also, they’re tasked with explaining to prospective employers why they were let go from their last job.

To help you navigate these obstacles, I called Mark Anthony Dyson, who is a job search and career expert and founder of TheVoiceOfJobSeekers.com.

Setting yourself up for success

While you may not have any warning before a layoff or firing, Dyson told me that there are steps you can take at your job that can help you if you’re hit by one of those events.

Performance reviews and other documents that praise your work are great to keep on hand for any future job search, for example. “It may not be a formal commendation,” he told me. “It could be emails that you’ve saved saying you did certain things with results and achievements.”

Dyson also said it’s important to ask employers what will be said about your departure to future employers. “That person should get it in writing so you can hold them accountable.”

In some situations, he also said that some people may be able to ask their current employer to help set them up for success in a future job — especially before an expected layoff. Dyson said he went to his boss at one job before a layoff, asking for a raise. The company eventually said yes. “So going to a new employer, I was able to get a substantial raise.”

Don’t wait to start your job search

You may leave an employer with some sort of financial cushion. In those cases, you might be tempted to put off your job search, but Dyson said that you should keep your career in mind even if you don’t have to rush into employment.

“They should keep up their skills — especially where technology is concerned,” he said. “Don’t let go of that because it’s their lifeline in many ways.”

You may want to keep your skills sharp by volunteering. “A lot of time volunteering is just a matter of asking if you can help 10 hours a week,” said Dyson. Volunteer work also helps address concerns over a gap between employment.

Confronting the questions

As for explaining to prospective employers why you left your last job, Dyson said it may not be as terrifying as you think. 

In the case of layoffs, you can tell the interviewer that you were part of a team that was laid off. “In most cases, the employer or interviewer will move on because these days everyone can get laid off for reasons that have nothing to do with you.”

If you were fired, Dyson said there are different ways to approach the issue. “I don’t think you have to provide a lengthy explanation. You can say ‘yes, I was terminated but I owned it and it was unfortunate.’ You don’t have to go into something specific.” 

He said that it’s important to research the person who will interview you for the job. “See who the interviewer knows and that may change how you have to discuss your termination.”

If the interviewer knows your old manager or someone who worked with you at your last company, you may need to be more upfront about your termination than you would be if the circumstances were different.

Have you ever been let go from a job? How did you navigate the job search? Join the conversation.

? The follow-up:

Picking an outfit for a job interview can cause you a lot of stress. You don’t want to overdress and be uncomfortable, but you also don’t want to underdress. I spoke with Layne Cross, who is Stitch Fix’s NorCal styling supervisor, for the last edition of #GetHired to learn some best practices for picking the perfect job interview outfit. She suggested doing research on the company to figure out their dress code and culture. Then, you aim slightly higher than what you would see employees wearing around the office. If you have a favorite job interview outfit, Cross said to wear it — especially if it gives you a boost of confidence. The clothes should fit right and feel appropriate for the office, however. Here’s what people are saying about the tips.

? Other news to help you #GetHired:

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You probably shouldn’t tell an employer how much you used to earn, suggests a new study. People who were hired without the employer knowing applicants’ past wages typically accepted pay that was 9% higher than what they originally asked for, researchers found. The employers also asked 13% more questions during the hiring process, considered more candidates and were more likely to hire someone if they were kept in the dark. Coincidentally, once employers were again able to see people’s pay histories, the number of questions they asked dropped 22%. The research supports a new push to ban employers from asking about pay during the hiring process. MarketWatch reports about 20 states and as many cities have implemented such laws. Here’s what people are saying about the research.

Social and fundamental skills were the most valuable over the past several decades, suggests a new report from the Pew Research Center. While jobs focusing on science and programming expanded during that time, the report found that employment grew faster for jobs requiring skills like negotiation and critical thinking. The boom among these jobs may have helped narrow the gender pay gap from $8 in 1980 to $4 in 2018, too. Women entered the workforce at an increasing pace and capitalized on the demand for these skills, says the report. Here’s what people are saying about the findings. 

? Up next:

We discussed how difficult it can be to look for a new job in past editions of #GetHired. Now, I want to hear how you find joy during your search for work. Do you exercise? Do you play video games? Knit? Tell me in the comments below or add them to this post. I’ll round up your stories, suggestions and tips in the next edition of #GetHired.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to reach out to me if you have ideas on topics or questions I should address in future editions of #GetHired. You can also email me at GetHired[at]LinkedIn.com.