How do you put a positive spin on being terminated from a company during an interview?
Answer:
Keep it as close to the truth as possible. Without knowing the circumstances, can't really advise on 'good spin' but how about saying the job was being restructured, and your skills no longer fit the new duties. The decision to leave was mutual and you are looking forward to a new opportunity more suited to your skills.
They had more staff and a retrenchment is going on.
VR
Well thanks for the experience. However working for an idiot like you I am glad I was terminated. I would hate to look like you in a few years.
If the truth ain't gonna cut it, just say you were downsized.
Say "My previous employer and I did not see eye to eye on the issue, so we decided that it would be in my best interest to seek other prospects. And lucky you- here I am!"
say what the he ll blow it out of the water! write to every talk show you know of and tell them of this LOL have fun with it
see what they are hideing now LOL
For starters, don't lie. That can come back to bite you.
If you were terminated because of downsizing, realignments, that sort of thing, just say so.
If you lost your job because the boss's nephew wanted it, say so, lightly and with a shrug and a smile.
If you lost your job for cold-cocking your boss, try saying you had a personality conflict.
If you couldn't handle the work, say the job was a bad fit with your skills and working style.
If your boss was an *, do NOT say so. You might be talking to a potential boss.
If you are angry about being terminated, please work hard at getting over it before the interview. Let it go; it will just hold you back.
~Best wishes~
Remember the saying "don't burn bridges". If its just a small industry you are working in, chances are you'll still be bumping into your previous emloyers. The company you're applying to might even be friends with some personalities in your previous company.
Always give praise about your previous employer. Then just say that its unfortunate they couldn't see your point of view, considering that you had a lot going that could have helped their company grow. Of course, be prepared to enumerate some suggestions should your interviewer ask you what these are.
Good luck!
Above all, do NOT criticize your former employer over it. Your potential employer will not want to think that you may someday be complaining about him.
It really depends on the reason. If it was simply a result of downsizing or layoffs, say so - there's no shame in that and it happens all the time.
If you were terminated for something negative like insubordination or poor performance and you can't put a positive spin on it, simply state that you had some differences of opinion with the company's (or your manager's) philosophy (or practices, if appropriate) and it began to effect your work, so the decision was made to seek new opportunities.
LATE ADDITION TO MY COMMENTS: I like Justine's answer. I like it very much.
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