How to Explain Being Fired to Future Employers
How to Explain Being Fired to Future Employers
(OP)
Ok I'm going to try to explain this as concise as possible, but still cover the basis.
I was recently fired for my job, here is, in brief, what happened. I was a production engineer, as such I was responsible for keeping up with production for my shift ( i.e. keeping up with cycle times, troubleshooting production issues, assisting the supervisor with monitoring shift operators, etc, etc. On the night in question we had two troublesome systems. One was a spray dryer, which had constantly been giving problems, and the other involved the production of a thickening agent. The spray dryer was at such a state that it required constant monitoring. As there was no "spray dryer operator" this was my responsibility as well. In the process of focusing my attentions on getting the spray dryer up and running, I instructed my operators on what they needed to do to keep the other troublesome system moving. Well after I was able to get the spray dryer up and reliably running (~2 hrs later), I find out that my operators had not done what I instructed them to do, resulting in a lot of downtime on that system. Keep in mind during this whole ordeal ( which in total was about 4hrs), I had no idea where the supervisor was. Im pretty sure he was somewhere sleep (this happened on graveyard shift).
So long story short, there as a big deal on the amount of downtime incurred on the shift, although no one actually asked me any questions as to what happened or why so much downtime occured. Then a week later I am told I was being fired. Prior to this I had had no serious incidents or downtime on my shift.
The question is, how do I go about presenting this to future potential employers. I know as soon as they see or hear "fired" many immediately will throw the red flag and I won't make it past that point. I know it is in bad taste to talk bad about a previous employer as well... So what do I do? How would you word it. I have both of previous direct bosses ( the unit manager and assistant unit manager) who are willing to provide excellent references for me to attest that I was an excellent employee.
I was recently fired for my job, here is, in brief, what happened. I was a production engineer, as such I was responsible for keeping up with production for my shift ( i.e. keeping up with cycle times, troubleshooting production issues, assisting the supervisor with monitoring shift operators, etc, etc. On the night in question we had two troublesome systems. One was a spray dryer, which had constantly been giving problems, and the other involved the production of a thickening agent. The spray dryer was at such a state that it required constant monitoring. As there was no "spray dryer operator" this was my responsibility as well. In the process of focusing my attentions on getting the spray dryer up and running, I instructed my operators on what they needed to do to keep the other troublesome system moving. Well after I was able to get the spray dryer up and reliably running (~2 hrs later), I find out that my operators had not done what I instructed them to do, resulting in a lot of downtime on that system. Keep in mind during this whole ordeal ( which in total was about 4hrs), I had no idea where the supervisor was. Im pretty sure he was somewhere sleep (this happened on graveyard shift).
So long story short, there as a big deal on the amount of downtime incurred on the shift, although no one actually asked me any questions as to what happened or why so much downtime occured. Then a week later I am told I was being fired. Prior to this I had had no serious incidents or downtime on my shift.
The question is, how do I go about presenting this to future potential employers. I know as soon as they see or hear "fired" many immediately will throw the red flag and I won't make it past that point. I know it is in bad taste to talk bad about a previous employer as well... So what do I do? How would you word it. I have both of previous direct bosses ( the unit manager and assistant unit manager) who are willing to provide excellent references for me to attest that I was an excellent employee.





RE: How to Explain Being Fired to Future Employers
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask
RE: How to Explain Being Fired to Future Employers
In the interview (you will get one) explain as above, but ensuring that the previous company is not bagged.
Now of course - people do not get fired for a single incident. I am not making any accusations, but this is the assumption that will be made by the hiring company. Have you got that one covered?
RE: How to Explain Being Fired to Future Employers
'The department downsized, and I was part of the reduction.'
Try to keep the story brief and innocuous. Don't lambast the previous company or boss. It reflects badly on you.
RE: How to Explain Being Fired to Future Employers
RE: How to Explain Being Fired to Future Employers
Regarding "laid off", I remember back when that meant "we have no work for you but we'll call you back when we do". Now it means "fired but not for cause".
Hg
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RE: How to Explain Being Fired to Future Employers
From what you have written it's not clear if you were laid off due to the described incident.
There is no reason to speculate in a negative manner why you were laid off during your interview with a potential employer. I'm sure you could think of better reasons why you might have lost your job.
RE: How to Explain Being Fired to Future Employers
RE: How to Explain Being Fired to Future Employers
RE: How to Explain Being Fired to Future Employers
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: How to Explain Being Fired to Future Employers
RE: How to Explain Being Fired to Future Employers
Usually when there is a problem in production the proper response is to get the most senior people on the job to solve the problem.
How long were you at this company and just for my knowledge what part of the world is it in....so I can avoid it.
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RE: How to Explain Being Fired to Future Employers
RE: How to Explain Being Fired to Future Employers
S. Carolina is a long way from me so I shouldn't have to run across them.
If you are being completely honest about the situation, then no way does this one incident get you canned.
Like the others have posted, evaluate the situations that didn't turn out well at this job and try not to make the same mistakes twice.
One thing that really seems to trip up Engineers is their lack of social skills, basically we all know you don't need to be friends to get the work done, but it helps to make friends with the right people to keep your job.
A lot of plants are informally run by the "good ole' boy network" and they will save themselves long before they do what is right.
this message has been approved for citizen to elect kepharda 2008
RE: How to Explain Being Fired to Future Employers
RE: How to Explain Being Fired to Future Employers
"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"
RE: How to Explain Being Fired to Future Employers
Again I can only speak about the UK but there is a big difference between being fired and being made redundant, totally different procedures to follow and rules to obey. To lie on a CV about why you left your last job as some suggest would be reason enough to terminate a contract, so is not a very smart thing to do.
RE: How to Explain Being Fired to Future Employers
Most employment in the US is an "at will" state. Meaning the company or I can terminate my employment at any time or for any reason (Yes I am aware that there are antidiscrimination laws).
At all of my jobs I've signed documents that say exactly that. Granted with all of the lawyers out there the company will usually heavily document why anyone was let go to CYA in the event of a discrimination lawsuit.
RE: How to Explain Being Fired to Future Employers
I would not resort to terms like "laid-off" or "downsized" as these generally have very specific meanings as was mentioned in an earlier post. I would use "terminated" but not "fired". A hiring company will call the old company and find out their side of the story so it's best not to sugar coat but rather focus on an explanation.
Good luck.
Regards,
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RE: How to Explain Being Fired to Future Employers
I was used as a reference for some people looking for new jobs and always said my current company would be losing out big time on that person. I now their strong and weak points and had no idea I was being used a reference. But seriously anyone you worked with that you would use as a reference will not bad mouth you. I would just say you were let go. How many hiring people will ask why during this time period?????
Plus showing your portfolio and what you can and know how to do will offset your past job quite a bit.
Civil Development Group, LLC
Los Angeles Civil Engineering specializing in Hillside Grading
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RE: How to Explain Being Fired to Future Employers
If they press for details, remember that you don't want to give the impression that you are blaming someone else or didn't learn from the incident. What if they asked you what you learned? Its not the catch 22 it sounds like; even if you were largely not at fault, surely there is something you could have done better in retrospect. They're not going to ask you what your former employer learned, they don't care. And avoid the F word.
RE: How to Explain Being Fired to Future Employers
RE: How to Explain Being Fired to Future Employers
RE: How to Explain Being Fired to Future Employers
I appreciate all of your comments and suggestions on dealing with this issue. I am pleased to announce that I just found out that I will be offered a new position at a company that I feel better utilizes my skills as well as will offer me more of a challenge and an ability to grow as a young chemical engineer. In the interview I was very candid and honest about what happened, and that seemed to go over quite well. I was actually thanked for being honest about the situation. This is truly a blessing and truly a testament to the fact that when one door closes another will open if you remain positive and hopeful. Once again I appreciate all the suggestions and I look forward to posting more "technical" questions in the future, lol.
RE: How to Explain Being Fired to Future Employers