Honesty during a job interview

[Sunflower98]

Moral dilemma here and could use some guidance. After being harrassed by his boss for the last six months, my husband was fired on Wednesday. Her reasons for the firing included no specifics, with her saying, “I’m not seeing the results I wanted to see.” In truth, this woman was a petty tyrant who escalated extremely minor issues into world-class problems.

So, here’s the issue: DH applied for a job at a different company while he was still employed. He has an interview with them next week. Is he morally obligated to mention he was fired in the interim between applying when he was still employed and interviewing when he is not?

If he does tell them, how does he tell the truth? His firing was the result of working for a horrid, vindictive boss…but it’s not like he can say that and appear even remotely professional. The company that fired him said they will only verify title and dates of employment…which, even if he keeps mum and gets an offer, the dates of service could prove problematic on a background check.

He wants to do the right thing but not suicide bomb his chances. Help!

 

[angel12]

He has to be honest; as you said, they will at least find out the employment dates. And do not use terms like “horrid, vindictive.” He might want to practice explaining the situation in professional terms. There’s nothing wrong with saying he doesn’t really know why he was fired, that he wasn’t given specific reasons.

If this other company is worth working for, honesty here will not suicide bomb his chances. Those of us who’ve been in Human Resources any length of time have heard close to everything.

Two other suggestions – he should be looking for another job even though he has this interview. And if you’re in the U.S., he should file for unemployment. If it’s denied at first because they say he was fired for cause, he should be able to appeal – the fact that he wasn’t given any documentation or any solid reasons may help his case.

 

[Seeksadvice]

Virtually an auto-punt with lying about background.

 

[Sunflower98]

Thank you for your insight, Angel12. The ecompany that fired him said they would not block his unemployment. He is applying elsewhere too.

 

[PJH_74]

The ecompany that fired him said they would not block his unemployment.

If they are not blocking his unemployment, then they are not calling this separation “with cause”. So they should not be reporting this as a firing but as a layoff. Like anything in the interviewing world, he needs a quick, positive, and truthful response; this is something he’ll need to practice. Also DO NOT spend much time dwelling it, he needs to give as much airtime to his positive points and what his skills he can bring the company.

 

[Sunflower98]

I didn’t realize there was a distinction (I always figured if you were fired, you were fired). Thank you for that clarification.

 

[PJH_74]

I didn’t realize there was a distinction (I always figured if you were fired, you were fired).

If he wasn’t directly told what he was let go for, it’s really only speculation as to why the lay off. He can probably simply say something like he believes his position was impacted due to cost reductions or similar. Impacted is pleasant HR speak for you’re bring laid off.

 

[Sunflower98]

I should clarify something: He was placed on a Performance Improvement Plan prior to all of this happening. Again, this was for very minor things so he knew she was looking to get rid of him. The company did not follow its own written agreement, however, and results of a work audit they were (supposedly) doing were never given to him. I suspect the work audit was fine, which is why those results weren’t shared and why they chose not to block unemployment. But, given the PIP existed in the first place, I’m not sure he can truthfully say he was laid off for economic or other reasons.

 

[PJH_74]

Hey, Sunflower, I’m sorry you’re going through all this. Our family is also facing unemployment right now. Having a PIP doesn’t mean he was “fired for cause”. If that was true, he wouldn’t be able to get unemployment in technical terms. It is ok to say in interviews, “Honestly, there were some personality differences with my previous boss, but I’m sure I’m a great fit for your company because . . . . . .” If it comes up, he can say “I was recently let go of my company, but I knew it was time to move on awhile ago, which is why I’m excited to work for you.” If he practiced these kinds of phrases, you can be honest, and then always turn it around to the company he’s talking to and why he thinks it’ll be good there.

 

[Sunflower98]

Thank you, PJH. That sounds like excellent advice. I’m also sorry to hear about your family’s unemployment issues. I will pray they are resolved quickly for you.

 

[guanophore]

Is he morally obligated to mention he was fired in the interim between applying when he was still employed and interviewing when he is not?

Of course not!

If he does tell them, how does he tell the truth?

Why on earth would a person bring it up? If it is not specifically asked, then it would not be prudent.

His firing was the result of working for a horrid, vindictive boss…but it’s not like he can say that and appear even remotely professional.

It is not a good idea to disparage a former employer. The current employer has every right to assume whatever you say about the former one is whatever you might say about them.

There are plenty of professional ways to talk about such a separation.

The company that fired him said they will only verify title and dates of employment…which, even if he keeps mum and gets an offer, the dates of service could prove problematic on a background check.

Most employers are not concerned about any gap that is under three months anyway. And he can always say that, although he hopes to get an offer with this company, he decided that his previous situation was not conducive to his professional goals, so he already gave notice.

 

[MaryT777]

I completely agree with you. I would leave out any mention of personality differences. It may lead an employer to wonder if you can “work as a team” and get along with other people, especially co-workers or client.

 

[Sunflower98]

Thanks, all of you, for your advice and (name removed by moderator)ut regarding this. It’s just so tricky figuring out how much, when and what to say without making looking/sounding like a terrible candidate. DH is a very hard worker and good at what he does…and that’s what makes all of this so hard for me as his wife. I hate that one nasty person in a position of power can so readily derail his entire career. Any prayers you gave to offer on his behalf are most appreciated.

 

[DeniseNY]

I’d deflect the question. He could say something like it wasn’t the right fit for him (which it wasn’t), and he could detail what new challenges that the new opportunity represents that really interest him and why he’s the ideal candidate for the job.

He should absolutely make no personal remarks about his former employer