You are right to be aware that your prospective employer may check on the reasons you left your job. Most employers conduct background or reference checks during the interview process. If you've been terminated for cause, it may well come up during their investigation.
Including any negative information or the words “let go” could result in your cover letter being tossed aside. “The best approach in this scenario is to let the prior termination come up naturally in the interview, and be prepared to talk about it,” Cole suggested.
Telling the truth on a job application or in an interview -- even if painful -- can actually endear you to a prospective employer, particularly if you explain the circumstances that led to the termination. Don't volunteer the fact that you were fired unless specifically asked -- but don't lie about it if you are.
Yes, they can. In fact, chances are, by the time hiring managers ask why you got fired from your previous job, they probably know the answer to this question based on their communication with your former employer.
The simple answer is no. A background check cannot return a list or database of the jobs that a professional has held over the years. Most pre-employment background check services are geared toward uncovering public record information, such as criminal record information, driving records, and credit history.
If the position you got fired from had relevant responsibilities or enabled you to gain skills sought by the potential employer, consider including it on your resume. You don't need to explain why your employment ended on this document.
It's theoretically better for your reputation if you resign because it makes it look like the decision was yours and not your company's. However, if you leave voluntarily, you may not be entitled to the type of unemployment compensation you might be able to receive if you were fired.
Prepare Yourself For Rejection – Getting fired definitely makes the job search even more challenging. It means that you have to shine and be a much stronger job applicant than any of the competition. The small blemish on your professional status may cause you to be rejected from a few jobs before you land one.
Prepare an answer, but cross your fingers that you won't have to use it. 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.
Nobody likes it when people talk about you behind your back, but that's an inevitable part of the job search process. Of course, you'll gather references who will sing your praises, but the interviewer will still typically vet your former employers to verify your former job title and dates of employment.
If there is a felony on your criminal record, it could be a red flag for employers. A history of violent crimes, sexual offenses, robberies, or serious drug offenses can make it difficult to pass a background check. However, it can still be possible to get a job even if you have a criminal history.
How do employers verify your work history? Typically, the employer will ask you to list one reference for each previous place of employment, and they will contact those references. The company may also ask for other personal or professional references in addition to employment references.
Always be honest about why you were terminated from a previous position. Because people are let go for a variety of different reasons, you should try to give the potential employer the most objective explanation that you can. Calmly explain the circumstances for why you were fired to demonstrate maturity.
Honesty is the best policy
There is no easy way to explain to a prospective employer that you were fired from your previous job. The best approach is simple: Be honest. Tell the truth and be transparent with all of your answers. The worst way to handle the question is to lie about it.
Because employees in California are employed on an “at-will” basis (meaning either party can terminate the working relationship at any time for any reason), firing an employee for looking for another job is legal under California Labor Code § 2922 — though there may be exceptions.
Your old employer doesn't have to give you a reference - but if they do, it has to be truthful and fair. You might get a bad reference if you've been sacked for poor performance or misconduct.
Don't Mention It
A resume should present your qualifications in a positive light. Including details of a job loss—particularly if you were fired—is not going to do you any favors. No matter how sour your termination and interest in telling your side of the story, the resume is not the place for gory details.
Being dismissed for gross misconduct will not usually result in the end of your career. It is the reasons behind that gross misconduct that needs to be explored. For example, if the gross misconduct resulted in a criminal record, you may find that you cannot work in certain fields in the future.
If your employer does give you a reference, they are under a legal duty to make sure they are accurate and not misleading to your future employer. This means that if, for example, you were subject to disciplinary action, this could form part of the reference.
The usual standard time that a warning following a disciplinary will last on your file is 6 months. However, it will depend on the policies and code of conduct that each workplace has in place. A final warning might last on file for a longer period such as 12 months.
How long will a disciplinary be held against you? How long a disciplinary will be held against you depends on what the sanction is. For example, a first written warning could last six months, but a final one could last twelve months.