What should I say if my termination from my previous job comes up in tomorrow's interview?

Question

I was abruptly terminated from my last position because I made a really stupid mistake. I accidentally sent an email meant to go to another coworker to, you guessed it, my boss. Needless to say, said email contained some not very nice things about my boss. Although I have been in the same job for 18 months with no previous reprimands, and do not have a record of absenteeism, they still found it appropriate to terminate my employment. I have an interview tomorrow afternoon, and I don't know what I should tell this potential employer about my termination. I know I shouldn't lie, but how do I phrase this if they ask? Thanks in advance for your help!

Answer 1

The technique I learned from my boss is "soften the wording" which basically means tell the uncomfortable truth in the best possible way.  Another thing I learned is to end your talking on a high note.  People usually remember the start and end of any conversation and forget the middle point the most unless they find something interesting to remember.

Be upfront about the incident, keep talking until you can turn the conversation around, and make them switch thoughts to something else fast.  But do not talk to long.  Cut the statement off when appropriate and make them come back with another question or end with a question.  Fewer the words the better.

Try one of these to the question "why did you leave your last job"...

"I had issues relating with my boss and was asked to leave."  

"I did not share opinions and views with my boss and I was asked to leave when my boss learned of them."

"After 18 months of good service, my boss and I had a conflict and I was asked to leave."

If you give them the chance, they will come back and ask what you did or they will decide that something is wrong and not ask.  Don't wait for them to ask as they may not ask.  Jump right in and say something like...

"I learned a lot from may many successes and few mistakes while working there.  I've improved my knowledge, ehanced my skills, and broadened my experience and now in a possition to apply those improvements to a possition here."

You just communicated that you have value and skills and you will help the company with what you learned from the other company.  No turn the tables and ask a question loosely related to the subject.  You wan to change the subject but not make it look like you are avoiding it.  Try one of these...

"How would you describe the culture of your management?"

"What methods do you use in selecting and promoting people to management?"

"How open to new ideas is management?"

By they time the interviewer is done answering the question, he probably would have forgotten his question.  Most interviewers don't want to interview and just want to be able to say yes or no to a hiring.  Leave them feeling good, it does not matter your answer.  However, there are a few sharpe managers who will remember what you say and come back with questions.  Just remember keep it "soft".  Try writting down single words and short phrases that tell why you left and then replace them with "soft" language.  Examples: terminated->asked to leave, made a stupid mistake->learned a lesson.

Answer 2

I wouldn't worry about it at all for it most likely will not come up.  If it does be honest with that and everything in your life.  Just remember to work hard giving no attention to gossip or those who carry it.  Get to work early and stay late, take very few breaks if any and the boss will notice you first when there are promotions to be awarded.  God Bless  

Answer 3

****!!

no just be honest tell them it was a mistake im sure they'll understand