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best way to explain getting fired in job interviews?

...
adventurous half-breed meetinghouse
  06/01/25
"A Reduction in Force was performed"
insanely creepy abode
  06/01/25
In real life higher-ups get fired constantly if the org goes...
Onyx Rebellious Location
  06/01/25
I was fired from a completely unknown Startup
adventurous half-breed meetinghouse
  06/01/25
startup failed and laid off everybody
Magenta Institution
  06/01/25
That shit is so easy to spin imo.... getting fired from A...
Onyx Rebellious Location
  06/01/25
Compared to that it isn’t a big deal. With somewhere l...
mustard dingle berry church
  06/01/25
idk it seems like if I look at Linkedin that being at a Tech...
Onyx Rebellious Location
  06/01/25
I think it depends on how long you were there. If you were a...
mustard dingle berry church
  06/01/25
Sure but Top Firms probably give more merciful offramps irl....
Onyx Rebellious Location
  06/01/25
...
Dull cerebral clown step-uncle's house
  06/01/25
how about "restructuring" i signed an NDA
adventurous half-breed meetinghouse
  06/01/25
they did "restructuring", which means they did lay...
Magenta Institution
  06/01/25
how about "my team was let go" my boss quit the...
adventurous half-breed meetinghouse
  06/01/25
that works even better "the whole team was abolished&q...
Magenta Institution
  06/01/25
"my position, and my boss' position were eliminated&quo...
adventurous half-breed meetinghouse
  06/01/25
...
comical tripping business firm yarmulke
  06/02/25
...
mustard dingle berry church
  06/02/25
If senior: Realized your vision didn't align with the other ...
comical tripping business firm yarmulke
  06/02/25
ok
adventurous half-breed meetinghouse
  06/02/25
Lmao
slippery rose really tough guy
  06/01/25
Keep an active LLC in your name at all times
Spectacular bull headed gaming laptop
  06/01/25
...
slippery rose really tough guy
  06/01/25
Hedgerow Capital
Onyx Rebellious Location
  06/01/25
"I had sex with the ceo's wife"
Emerald Impertinent Fat Ankles Old Irish Cottage
  06/01/25
...
Costumed Corner
  06/01/25
They likely won’t even ask.
mustard dingle berry church
  06/01/25
Cr just be yourself and give them a firm handshake
slippery rose really tough guy
  06/01/25
I've had 6 interviews and they asked about it in 5 of the 6
adventurous half-breed meetinghouse
  06/01/25
Did they just ask why you left? Just make something up
mustard dingle berry church
  06/01/25
Usually "why did you leave X" but sometimes "...
adventurous half-breed meetinghouse
  06/01/25
"I'm gay"
Emerald Impertinent Fat Ankles Old Irish Cottage
  06/01/25
to me "wasn't a good fit" is euphemism for "f...
Magenta Institution
  06/01/25
No it's a euphemism for phenotype imho. Literal fit. Like ph...
Onyx Rebellious Location
  06/01/25
cr
adventurous half-breed meetinghouse
  06/01/25
just make up some reason that was outside of your control li...
Flickering Soul-stirring Double Fault
  06/01/25
This guy Product Manages
Onyx Rebellious Location
  06/01/25
...
mustard dingle berry church
  06/01/25
I can't, my Gantt Chart
slippery rose really tough guy
  06/01/25
It’s cute how honest people live their lives. If you a...
poppy indian lodge friendly grandma
  06/01/25
Right? Especially with cutthroat tech companies. You’r...
Crawly native
  06/02/25
How much can I lie about tech knowledge?
adventurous half-breed meetinghouse
  06/02/25
Our core synergies weren't aligned
Provocative Property
  06/02/25
why would you admit to getting fired? just say you left. bet...
Vermilion Shrine Headpube
  06/02/25


Poast new message in this thread



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 2:21 PM
Author: adventurous half-breed meetinghouse



(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48978866)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 2:26 PM
Author: insanely creepy abode

"A Reduction in Force was performed"

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48978875)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 2:27 PM
Author: Onyx Rebellious Location

In real life higher-ups get fired constantly if the org goes scorched earth (or last for years with low effort in other times). Layoffs happen to rank-and-file too. I mean, just call it a layoff and no one's the wiser unless they're savvy af and it's a public company where they'd know if there were layoffs.

In general it works against you in terms of negotiation and if your phenotype sucks and interest rates aren't low enough you might have to try a Worse Job or Lower Income that makes you an appealing prospect despite the Mystery surrounding your departure from your previous Firm. If your phenotype is sufficient I think you can convince them to look past it. Or if you're in Engineering just do White board shit to convince them you're a Nerd.

Source: MBA

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48978877)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 2:28 PM
Author: adventurous half-breed meetinghouse

I was fired from a completely unknown Startup

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48978884)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 2:31 PM
Author: Magenta Institution

startup failed and laid off everybody

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48978892)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 2:32 PM
Author: Onyx Rebellious Location

That shit is so easy to spin imo....

getting fired from Amazon or something when there aren't mass layoffs seems way worse

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48978893)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 2:37 PM
Author: mustard dingle berry church

Compared to that it isn’t a big deal. With somewhere like Amazon, everyone is tapped into ur industry. With a random startup it’s already assumed to be a shitshow.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48978906)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 2:41 PM
Author: Onyx Rebellious Location

idk it seems like if I look at Linkedin that being at a Tech Company is like being Anointed and even if the person sucks they get in everywhere they apply. I think HR Women scoff if everything on your resume is one of the 98% of companies that none of them have heard of.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48978914)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 2:43 PM
Author: mustard dingle berry church

I think it depends on how long you were there. If you were at Amazon or Meta over 2 years then you are stamped at that level. If you get laid off or fired within the first year it’s potentially a flag and they’ll ask about it

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48978919)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 2:45 PM
Author: Onyx Rebellious Location

Sure but Top Firms probably give more merciful offramps irl. like biglaw. whereas evan39 fires on the first No Call No Show.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48978925)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 3:26 PM
Author: Dull cerebral clown step-uncle's house



(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48979004)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 2:33 PM
Author: adventurous half-breed meetinghouse

how about "restructuring" i signed an NDA

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48978896)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 3:01 PM
Author: Magenta Institution

they did "restructuring", which means they did layoffs

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48978956)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 3:02 PM
Author: adventurous half-breed meetinghouse

how about "my team was let go"

my boss quit then i got canned

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48978959)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 3:03 PM
Author: Magenta Institution

that works

even better "the whole team was abolished", means it wasn't your fault

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48978963)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 3:07 PM
Author: adventurous half-breed meetinghouse

"my position, and my boss' position were eliminated"?

could never actually say "abolished" irl

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48978974)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 2nd, 2025 9:57 AM
Author: comical tripping business firm yarmulke



(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48980416)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 2nd, 2025 11:09 AM
Author: mustard dingle berry church



(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48980547)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 2nd, 2025 9:56 AM
Author: comical tripping business firm yarmulke

If senior: Realized your vision didn't align with the other key players in a very young organization (something about mission drift, blah blah blah) and decided to leave; amicable split all-round.

If junior: Entire project or team or department was eliminated due to shifting priorities from a young organization that is trying to figure itself out lmao.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48980412)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 2nd, 2025 12:22 PM
Author: adventurous half-breed meetinghouse

ok

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48980807)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 2:27 PM
Author: slippery rose really tough guy

Lmao

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48978880)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 2:30 PM
Author: Spectacular bull headed gaming laptop

Keep an active LLC in your name at all times

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48978889)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 2:32 PM
Author: slippery rose really tough guy



(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48978894)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 2:33 PM
Author: Onyx Rebellious Location

Hedgerow Capital

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48978895)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 2:34 PM
Author: Emerald Impertinent Fat Ankles Old Irish Cottage

"I had sex with the ceo's wife"

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48978899)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 3:59 PM
Author: Costumed Corner



(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48979065)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 2:36 PM
Author: mustard dingle berry church

They likely won’t even ask.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48978903)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 2:37 PM
Author: slippery rose really tough guy

Cr just be yourself and give them a firm handshake

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48978904)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 2:37 PM
Author: adventurous half-breed meetinghouse

I've had 6 interviews and they asked about it in 5 of the 6

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48978905)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 2:39 PM
Author: mustard dingle berry church

Did they just ask why you left? Just make something up

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48978910)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 2:41 PM
Author: adventurous half-breed meetinghouse

Usually "why did you leave X" but sometimes "what happened at x"?

I've been saying, "it was a small startup, the role changed significantly and then was phased out."

Been considering just saying "wasn't a good long term fit."

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48978913)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 2:43 PM
Author: Emerald Impertinent Fat Ankles Old Irish Cottage

"I'm gay"

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48978920)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 3:02 PM
Author: Magenta Institution

to me "wasn't a good fit" is euphemism for "fired"

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48978960)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 3:04 PM
Author: Onyx Rebellious Location

No it's a euphemism for phenotype imho. Literal fit. Like physical fit.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48978965)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 3:07 PM
Author: adventurous half-breed meetinghouse

cr

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48978975)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 3:23 PM
Author: Flickering Soul-stirring Double Fault

just make up some reason that was outside of your control like your project being canceled, layoffs after two bad quarters, etc.

don't tell them you were fired. they can't verify that, anyway, because nearly all employers will not give out that info. most of them will only confirm dates of employment and job titles. anything negative they say exposes the former employer to legal risk that an 85 IQ HR ninja will tell you is too risky.

source: going through management training at two jobs.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48978996)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 3:30 PM
Author: Onyx Rebellious Location

This guy Product Manages

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48979009)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 3:44 PM
Author: mustard dingle berry church



(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48979039)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 3:47 PM
Author: slippery rose really tough guy

I can't, my Gantt Chart

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48979051)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 1st, 2025 6:03 PM
Author: poppy indian lodge friendly grandma

It’s cute how honest people live their lives. If you actually have the skill set, you can easily create a largely fake resume and no one will even notice. Once you’re hired people won’t even remember your back story after about 6 months.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48979292)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 2nd, 2025 11:18 AM
Author: Crawly native

Right? Especially with cutthroat tech companies. You’re supposed to be dishonest and sleazy with them, that’s their language.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48980582)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 2nd, 2025 12:24 PM
Author: adventurous half-breed meetinghouse

How much can I lie about tech knowledge?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48980814)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 2nd, 2025 9:58 AM
Author: Provocative Property

Our core synergies weren't aligned

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48980418)



Reply Favorite

Date: June 2nd, 2025 12:26 PM
Author: Vermilion Shrine Headpube

why would you admit to getting fired? just say you left. better yet just leave it off your resume and put in some made up freelance/contract work to fill the gap.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5732185&forum_id=2#48980825)