new twist on terminationi know you ppl are probably tired of termination questions, but i searched all the posts here and didn't find one that addressed my specific problem (if there is one and i missed it-would you post a link pls?). here we go: i was terminated after 12+ years in this job b/c i missed 6 days of work, unexcused which was a violation of the code of mgmt conduct. the reason i missed 6 days of work was bc i was sentenced to a week in jail in a DUI case that my atty called "surreal". so there it is. what do i tell an interviewer that asks me the "reason for leaving" question? i should probably note that 1) i'd been thinking about leaving for a good year already and 2) one of my supervisors has agreed to act as a reference, but, if asked the question will, of course (and i would expect no less) say i was terminated. so what to say in an interview? and, should i even use this supervisor as a reference? thanks in advance for the help!! It is all about consequences and the cascading effects of entirely bad decisions. Here are the barriers you need to overcome off the top of my head. I am sure others will pile on. 1. the fact that you were fired for not figuring out a way to contact your employer when you were in jail. That is almost more lame and stupid than driving drunk or drugged. 2. the fact that you now have a criminal record which will take your out of the running during many background checks. 3. the fact that you are a health care liability because of the potential that you have an alcohol problem. I sure as heck would not hire you. 4. the fact that your reference will say you were teminated and who knows how much else. The standard formula for firing is: a) own your mistake, b) learn from it, and c) convince me that you have taken steps not to let it happen again. Quite honestly that is a HUGE task for you and will be even a bigger task if you continue to think that the experience was "surreal." Actually it was real with lots of consequences. This fact and will be underscored as you hit the streets while you are still in denial.
I'm with hedtec on this one. If you could have called in to work or had someone do it on your behalf, you might still have a job. That was a very bad choice on your part and it is going to create a problem with finding new employment. Most employers will also specifically ask about arrests and convictions. You need to find out what HR will say was your reason for leaving. You're clear they will say you were terminated, but why? For absenteeism? If so, you could work with that by saying that you had an unexpected medical issue and had to take more time off than was allowed. The issue is now resolved and you don't expect any more issues in the future. If they're going to say you were fired because you were in jail, that's going to be a lot tougher to get around and/or if the application asks about convictions, it is going to come up so you're going to have to say something like: I made a huge mistake and got arrested for a DUI. Since then I've been attending regular AA meetings, went to rehab, (whatever). I had a great work record for 12 years and learned a HUGE lesson from this. I can promise you this will never happen again. Here are some references that can vouch for me. Tess ok, first of all, my attorney DID call my immediate supervisor within half an hour of my sentencing, so work was notified. their contention is that i didn't make prior arrangements to be gone. second, i have learned a HUGE lesson (more than one in fact). third, i can dig out my term notice to make sure, but officially it either says unexcused abcense or violation of mgmt code of conduct--isn't that what HR would stick with if called? lastly, while the VP who's willing to act as a reference for me will say i was termed if he's asked, he will also be a solid reference about my job performance-so should i still use him? i'm thinking that i'll simply say "i was termed, but it well could be the best thing that could've happened as i was seriously considering moving on anyway". or something on that order. i'll call HR in the a.m. to find out what they will actually say.
oh--just to clear it up: my attorney called the whole case "surreal", not me!! it sure as he## isn't "surreal" to me,
Your still not thinking about the conviction statement on applications and the DUI that will show up on background checks. Start practicing a strong mea culpa based on what you have done to keep it from happening again.... "I screwed up and was driving drunk. Period. I have a record. My car insurance is through the roof and I lost a job of 12 years. I have learned a huge, painful lesson. I have had no previous problems with alcohol and my 12 yr work history is solid. The DUI was a wake up call to me and I have sought out counseling to help me better understand how I screwed up and what I could do to keep it from happening again. In light of that counseling, I have modified my drinking habits and have incorporated yoga into my lifestyle as another layer of self-enrichment. I cannot imagine that this incident will carry with me into a new position or negatively impact my perfomance in any way." And you better have solid reference that can back up your work history.
thanks for the replies--they have been helpful.
I think you should just tell the true and go from there! As others have said, you really have to come clean on this one. And you may still have lessons to learn as you go through the hiring process. Yes, HR may say "unexcused absence or violation of mgmt code of conduct" and leave it at that, but if I were the hiring manager I would either (a) ask you to explain or (b) drop you from consideration. | |
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