So, You’ve Been Laid Off?

“So, you’ve been laid off?” An interviewer asked this question of one of my readers. You might think, harmless question. Lots of people have been laid off in this economy. The problem is that this reader was not laid off. They were fired. So how do you suppose this reader should answer the question? Do you think she should correct the interviewer? Or should she just go along? Maybe you think it isn’t relevant. She is without a job and interviewer assumes she has been laid off, what’s the big deal?

Ok, I’ll agree with you for a moment. Long enough for me to write this post. It doesn’t matter. If she says, yes, the interviewer moves on to the business at hand. The interview. She’s ready to talk about her skills and abilities. She can navigate this interview with no problem. Two weeks later the phone rings and the coveted job offer is extended. Let the celebration begin! She is now employed. It couldn’t come at a better time.

The problem is the offer was extended based on their perception that the candidate gave truthful information throughout the process.That is not true. In this case, the candidate was fired! For cause or unjustly, but none the less fired. You may think is a no brainer, but I get emails weekly from job seekers, trying to figure out what to say to a potential organization about being fired. For the record, there is a difference between being fired and being laid off. Let me also say this, if you are sitting in an interview and the interviewer assumes an answer – do yourself a favor and make the correction. Yes, you heard me. Ensure that what they know about you is what is real. They will make hiring decisions, either for you or against you, but at least they are making their assessment based on accurate information. What do you think?

Image Credit: sxc.hu