Interview question and answer.. “Have you ever been fired from a job?” Should you tell the truth or lie?

[Anonymous]

No, lie with something according to the line “it was just not the best fit for me”

Yes, always be honest. The hiring manager will definitely will respect you

[DishLady]

I mean... just like with any negatives, know how to present it in a positive light.

For example: Once I *was* let go, however it was due to cutbacks and I was the last hired. I, along with the last five hires, were let go. It wasn't anything we could help. It wasn't due to any failings. It was simply part of a general corporate decision.

If you were fired for some level of incompetence or for sleeping with someone from the office (or some related sort of sexual harassment) then that's a different story...

[Asker]

Being laid off is an exception. Being fired is not

[Kelley1]

Generally, you should lie unless it is extremely easy for the interviewer to know the truth. Even then, you should lie, if it means you will not get the job. If you get the job, companies will not spend more money investigating. If they find out, tell them you forgot or that you were laid off. If you prove to be a dependable and valuable employee, they will not fire you, even if they find out. However, it can be uses as an excuse, it you are not a good employee or if for some other reason they want to remove you.

Furthermore, even if you were fired from the last job, more likely than not, the record will state that you laid off or some other reason rather than fired. Negative reports on your record can lead to lawsuits that companies would rather avoid.

[I_am_a_human]

This is really bad advice. You are advising someone to lie (and then lie again if they get caught). You mention that if that person "prove[s] to be a dependable and valuable employee , they will not fire you". Someone who lies repeatedly is not dependable. According to the online Merriam Webster Dictionary, dependable means "capable of being trusted or depended on". They are proving to be not dependable. If I was a hiring manager and it was legal, I would fire them.

[I_am_a_human]

Anyone who follows this advice is also screwing honest applicants over.

On your profile, you mention that you are "seeking a MRS Degree". According to Wikipedia (accessed 3/6), MRS Degree is a "slang term in North American English[1] for when a young woman attends college or university with the intention of finding a potential spouse,[2] as opposed to pursuing academic achievement for a future career".

It easy for you to give bad advice as you don't even plan to join the workforce.

[I_am_a_human]

Given your advice and background, I doubt you are the the type of person to lose sleep over someone else following your advice and getting consequences.

[I_am_a_human]

Its unfortunate that this bad advice is a "MHO answer" and is pinned to the top.

[Brady]

I worked at a place 1ce. There was a manager/ supervisor named Rena. He told me if u put "quit" at a job but you got fired he wouldn't try 2 find out. An employee told me they can get sued if they try 2 find out. I asked Rena if it's true n Rena said "yes". If I remember right it's important 2 put the date u started n quit.

[Asker]

Everyone talks and knows each other in my town. They’ll find out if I lied or not

[andreasderjuengere]

Depends on what job I apply for.

Example: if I'd seek an employment as a salesman, other marketing, or politician- then of course I'd lie if there's no tomorrow. It's a professional requirement.

In all other cases I'll stick to the truth: terminations had happened, but not for reasons of discord or irregularities.

[Asker]

What’s a professional requirement?

[andreasderjuengere]

In the mentioned ''professions'' - lying :)

[Asker]

Oh I get it lol

[Purpleronnie]

Putting the reason (s) for being fired to one side if it was a recent appointment then yes I’d be honest , they could easily obtain that information. If not then no , based on relevancy.


The reason may make all the difference if searchable.

[trumpetplayerforlife]

Always tell the truth if you get caught lying it's grounds for termination I used to do hiring for a company and it's just better to be honest upfront

[Asker]

If you did fire someone after finding out they lied, did you come up with an excuse to fire them or let them know you fired them based on the fact that they lied?

[trumpetplayerforlife]

I was honest about it but I didn't normally fire them for that reason normally there was more issues that happend

[Asker]

Ok so you waited until the effed up and used that against them too?

[slatyb]

I would tell the truth. If I was at fault, I would tell the hiring manager what I learned from it, and what actions I have taken to improve. If it was a personality conflict, I would say that, and again say what I learned from it.

[AviatorTom]

You should always be honest in an interview. If you were fired, briefly explain why. Was it because of downsizing?

[Asker]

No. I made a mistake

[AviatorTom]

Be honest about it. Explain the mistake you made, what you learned from it, and that you won't make that mistake again. I used to interview people for technical jobs at my company. A common question I asked was "Tell me your biggest mistake and how you handled it."

[I_am_a_human]

@AviatorTom, you help restore my faith in humanity.

[AviatorTom]

@I_am_a_human My first boss taught me a valuable lesson. "If you don't occasionally make a mistake, you're not doing anything worthwhile." I've made a few mistakes in my career... I once shut down a commuter railway at a large city in Europe during rush hour... while troubleshooting a problem with its control system.

[KostasKouvalis]

Just tell them that's not something you wish to discuss. You're under no obligation to answer that.

[Asker]

Then the interview wraps up real fast because they think your hiding something and they have 100 more candidates able to perform the job

[IslaTheWitch]

I was laid off, twice :D

if they don't like it, it means I don't want to work there :D

[BarryLiverstone]

Best answer if you have been fired is to say yes and then explain what you learned and how you grew from that experience. Employers want to hire people who make an effort to better themselves on their own

[NoDecision]

Good answer!

[BarryLiverstone]

Thank you

[Cormac995]

Things like this can often be found with a google search or just a little digging using your name. If they catch you lying you'll get shot down 100%

[NoDecision]

It is worse if you lie and they find out. Always tell the truth. Then you won't have to remember what you told someone.

[Mikeynlade]

I got fired for standing up for a waitress that was going being berated by our boss. No regrets.

[Asker]

Do you or would you mention this in an interview if they asked you if you e ever been fired?

[Mikeynlade]

I have mentioned it. Employers liked my honesty.

[Joshydavid25]

I try to be honest, because they might find out, and I'll be in trouble then.. Although the chances that they search it up and slim..

[Joshydavid25]

Are slim**.. But I guess it also depends on the quality of the job..

[Shiprex]

They might already know and be testing your honesty

[MikeTheGreek1979]

Probably the truth. I only been fired from one job. Though it wasn’t so many words.

[Asker]

Though it wasn’t do many words exchanged between you and the manager who fired you?

[MikeTheGreek1979]

The owner, we’ll call you if we need you. It was a water-ice play at a warehouse.

[Asker]

What

[Iron_Man]

You betterTell the truth and explain your situation they can check up on you

[Uglygaypoorcoward94]

I have but for personal reasons not due inability to meet and exceed job requirements. Im a very unlikable person and get either bullied to quit or get replaced then fired after training the new guy

[Asker]

Why do you think that is? It seems you’re leaving a trail behind…

[Uglygaypoorcoward94]

why am i unlikeable? I dont know. They just call me a f***** constantly and tell me to kys i presume its because i live in my head

[Asker]

Are you trying to do anything to be more likeable or do you not know how?

[Uglygaypoorcoward94]

Not a clue

[Asker]

Learning disability? Autistic?

[Uglygaypoorcoward94]

Idek

[Asker]

Nor care

[Uglygaypoorcoward94]

Okay

[Asker]

It was a question

[Uglygaypoorcoward94]

Oh thought it was a statement

[Asker]

All in all, I think the manager should have asked you more personality/behavior questions to avoid being fired in the first place. He’s trying g to find someone who will get along with his team..

[Asker]

That chemistry

[Asker]

It could have been, I just forgot the question mark. Do you care or want to improve?

[Uglygaypoorcoward94]

No i dont care i am detestable

[Asker]

So you’re content with your life. That’s all that matters

[Anonymous]

I chose option b even though I don't agree with it completely. The hiring manager may not respect you.

[Opinion Owner]

Don't lie as that may screw a honest interviewee over.

[Asker]

Especially when you mention you’re an honest and loyal, hardworking employee on your resume

[Opinion Owner]

I had. a coworker who claimed a high seniority title at his previous job. Few years later after I joined (and I realized he didn't know much), he changed the title to a lower seniority level. And that was a deciding factor on me joining the company. Also, I have a coworker who claims he is "dedicated" on Linkedin, but I've see him playing video games on his phone.

[Asker]

He may be hesitant about hiring someone who got fired I suppose but I think honesty is best if you’re going to mention the place you got fired on your resume because the truth is out there. I think as long as you didn’t steal from your company, come to work stoned or drunk, they’ll overlook it as long as you own up to your mistake and let them know what you’ve learned from it and not to let it happen again if they can try. Nobody’s perfect

[Opinion Owner]

^I was just giving an example of how people get screwed over when people lie (my former coworker lied about his experience, I thought I was joining a group with a lot of knowledge, turned out to be false). I became wiser though. In my example, no one got fired as far as I know.

[zagor]

Be honest but with an explanation, if there is a reasonable one. For instance if you were 16 at the time but now are 30. Or if 80 other people got laid off at the same time.

[exitseven]

Tell the truth but make it seem like it was a learning experience.

[Drumlin2001]

I once worked in a shop (at 16), was let go. Wasn't a proper job

[DrPepper12]

Depends who you listed as references or if odd gaps in CV

[alice55]

Just lie