How do I handle a potentially awkward job interview question?

November 17, 2014 9:45 PM

I was approached by a recruiter a few weeks ago. At the time, I was somewhat unhappy at my job, but was not actively looking. I told the recruiter this. I have a follow-up interview with a manager tomorrow. Potential problem: I was laid off after the conversation with the recruiter. How do I spin this information?

In any normal circumstance, if I were explaining a layoff, I'd use the standard "wasn't a good fit, no growth opportunities, etc." sort of explanation, the kind of explanation that makes it sound somewhat ambiguous whether you or the employer initiated the separation. During the initial conversation, I told the recruiter I wasn't actively looking, but because they reached out to me I was checking out what was out there (this was true at the time). The recruiter was fine with this and scheduled a follow-up call with a manager that is in the group I would potentially be working in. Great! Except I got laid off after that initial conversation, and I don't really know how to explain how my "not really actively looking, Former Employer is a great place to work!" attitude has suddenly changed to "oops, don't work for Former Employer anymore!"

Any suggestions on how to approach this? I've always been told never to say you were let go from any position unless the position was actually eliminated and/or it was an unusual circumstance (company being sold or going out of business), and even then it's iffy. I don't want to wreck the opportunity, but I also don't want to be dishonest. I am ok with ambiguity about the circumstances of my departure from Former Employer.

posted by anonymous to Work & Money (9 answers total)

In any normal circumstance, if I were explaining a layoff, I'd use the standard "wasn't a good fit, no growth opportunities, etc." sort of explanation, the kind of explanation that makes it sound somewhat ambiguous whether you or the employer initiated the separation.

I'm not sure why you can't say this. If anything, you can make it sound more believable: "You know, after my conversation with Recruiter, I really started evaluating my position at Former Employer and it became clear it was time to move on."
posted by kagredon at 10:09 PM on November 17, 2014 [2 favorites]

A layoff is the elimination of a position.
posted by rhizome at 10:54 PM on November 17, 2014 [2 favorites]

It's not a plus that you weren't actively looking; it doesn't make you a stronger candidate. It means you're harder to lure away. The recruiter may not have even told them you said that.

You can either tell them you were laid off, to make yourself look more likely to take an offer, or don't say anything if you plan to play a little hardball.

Your position was eliminated, there's no foul in a layoff.
posted by Lyn Never at 12:01 AM on November 18, 2014 [2 favorites]

"Why are you thinking of leaving [Company That Laid You Off]?"
"I'm really excited about [thing Company Interviewing You does and/or way they do it]. It seems like a much better fit for me."
posted by Etrigan at 3:04 AM on November 18, 2014 [2 favorites]

"I'm available immediately."
posted by Happy Dave at 4:59 AM on November 18, 2014 [3 favorites]

I've always been told never to say you were let go from any position unless the position was actually eliminated

I'm not understanding this. If you were laid off, the position WAS eliminated and there is no issue at all mentioning that to a recruiter and this is actively helpful to both of you. You need a job and they get commission from putting you in one. Just tell them - you're overthinking this.
posted by Brockles at 5:01 AM on November 18, 2014 [5 favorites]

Were you fired or laid off?
posted by J. Wilson at 6:14 AM on November 18, 2014 [2 favorites]

If you were laid off, there's no shame in that. Happens all the time.

It may not come up at all. If so, that's perfectly okay. I was very honest after I got laid off earlier this year. But the most natural thing to say was, "when Recruiter called me I wasn't really interested in leaving X Corporation, but when I heard it was Y Corporation, I decided to meet with you because working for Y Corporation has always been a dream of mine."

If they ask when you can be available, you can say, "I've just completed my last project and now would be a great time for me to transition to a new position."

Good luck!
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 6:39 AM on November 18, 2014

I personally wouldn't mention it at all. I definitely would not go out of my way to tell them.

If it were me, I'd go into the interview pretending I still had the job. Then, if it gets to the next round or they want references, then I would say something. If it comes up, you can say your office is scaling back and eliminating a number of positions, so you'll be available to start right away.

Whatever you do, I would absolutely not talk about the job not being "the right fit." That phrase is code for you quit or you were fired. This isn't about being the right fit, this is about your office scaling back and reducing the size of its workforce. It's a business decision for their bottom line, not a performance evaluation of you.
posted by AppleTurnover at 9:48 AM on November 18, 2014 [1 favorite]