Don't let your nerves get the better of you when the interviewer asks why you were fired.

Walking into a job interview can be quite nerve-racking. This is especially true when you're anticipating questions about being fired from previous jobs. Two of the most anxiety-inducing questions an interviewer can ask someone who has been terminated or laid off are: 

  • “What happened at your last position?”
  • "What was your reason for leaving your previous job?” 

Even though being let go from a job can be a stressful and trying time in your career, it doesn't have to present a career roadblock. Here, you'll learn how to craft a narrative that not only addresses the past honestly but also highlights your resilience and readiness for new opportunities. 

Let's explore some practical tips on how to explain getting fired in an interview, which can turn a difficult conversation into a testament to professional growth and adaptability. 

Different types of getting fired

The first thing to consider is what caused you to get fired. Was it because the company was going through a period of adjustment and laid off a bunch of staff, or did you get terminated because of an error on your part? 

How to explain getting laid off in an interview

This is, of course, the easiest one to talk about because your separation from the previous company was through no fault of your own. You'd simply talk about the troubling times, indicate things you did in your position to try to help the company through those times, and mention how they couldn't overcome the challenges. 

Expert tip: This is not meant to give you permission to talk badly about former bosses or companies. You want to avoid doing that at all costs. 

Here's an example of what you can say if you were laid off from a previous job:

“ABC Corp went through a major upheaval when one of the new products wasn't well-received by the market. I did my best to salvage customer relationships by talking about the benefits of the new product, but, in the end, the company wound up laying off about 10% of the workforce, which included me. After that layoff, I spent some time reflecting on what happened and how things could have been done differently. Now that I'm in a positive mindset, it's time to get back in the saddle.” 

This answer works because you addressed the problem in a professional way, talked about something you did to try to overcome the problem – which the hiring manager will appreciate, and told them about the end result. It's a short and simple answer that has a positive overtone.  

How to explain getting fired in an interview

Honesty is the best policy. Termination and unemployment are common in all industries and don't have to be a big deal. The best way to explain getting fired in an interview is to address the recruiter's questions, answer them honestly, and then highlight the qualifications and skills you have to help you succeed in the job you're applying for. 

How you respond can show a lot about your character and can leave a lasting impression on recruiters. Whether it's a positive or negative impression is up to you.

When responding to a question where you will reveal that you were fired from a position, handle it like any other interview question. 

  • Exude confidence, yet stay humble. 

  • Answer directly and honestly, but don't delve too deeply into the details; keep to the basics. 

  • Pivot quickly back to why you're in the room today – to learn more about their open position and discuss how you can add value to their organization.

Here's a sample answer that explains getting fired in an interview:

“Regrettably, I was let go from my position at XYZ, Inc. I found myself struggling to adapt to some major changes. It wasn't from a lack of trying, but the company decided to move in a different direction, and we had to part ways. It was a great learning opportunity, though, because I discovered something that I needed to work on. 

I took a few online courses to boost my ability to be flexible in changing environments, and feel I'm prepared to take on the challenge of proving myself in a new role. I'm confident my new skills in adaptability will be a major asset to your team.”

This answer ticks all the boxes – it's confident and honest, discusses improvement initiatives that you undertook, and circles right back around to how your new skills will benefit the company. 

The do's and don'ts of explaining getting fired during an interview  

As with anything in life, there are right ways of doing something and wrong ways. Let's look at some do's and don'ts related to explaining getting fired during an interview.

Do's

Be Honest and Direct

  • Admit the Situation: Clearly acknowledge the gap in your employment. Honesty about your situation reflects integrity and builds trust.

  • Explain Briefly: Provide a concise explanation for the gap. Focus on what you learned during this period rather than the gap itself.

Highlight Productive Use of Time

  • Emphasize Learning: Discuss any skills, courses, or certifications you pursued during your unemployment.

  • Show Proactivity: Share any freelance work, volunteering, or projects that demonstrate your initiative and commitment to staying active in your field.

Focus on the Future

  • Express Enthusiasm: Show enthusiasm for the potential to contribute to the prospective employer's team.

  • Discuss Fit and Skills: Connect your recent activities and overall skills to the requirements of the job you're applying for.

Don'ts

Overshare or Criticize

  • Avoid Details: Don't go into unnecessary details about your unemployment. Keep your explanation straightforward and professional.

  • Never Blame Others: Criticizing previous employers or colleagues can appear unprofessional. Keep the tone positive and forward-looking.

Appear Idle

  • Skip the Downtime Focus: Rather than focusing on downtime, steer the conversation towards how you've used the time productively.

  • Avoid Negativity: Stay positive about your experiences and what they have added to your professional life.

Dwell on the Past

  • Move Forward: While it's important to acknowledge the past, focus more on what you can do in the future.

  • Avoid Repetition: Once you've explained getting fired from your last job, shift the discussion to why you're a great fit for the position.

How to explain getting fired in an interview: Redirect the conversation back to your abilities

When explaining why you left your recent position, smoothly bring the conversation back to your skills without ignoring the question altogether. 

For example: 

“I was terminated at company XYZ in March because of a miscommunication, but I am certain the skills learned there and at my previous position would make me a great fit for this position.” 

From there, you can highlight the skills you have that would help you thrive in the position for which you're applying.

You can also use the situation as a learning opportunity. When you explain getting fired in an interview, let the recruiter or employer know you took the obstacle in stride, learned from it, and are ready to use your newfound knowledge in this new position. 

An example: 

“I was let go of my last position because I misunderstood a procedure, and instead of asking for clarification, I did it my own way. I learned from the experience, and I now know it is OK to ask for help and won't make the same mistake again.”

How do you stay positive after a termination or layoff?

It's not uncommon for your self-confidence to take a hit after you've been fired from a job, but it will only hurt you if you let it. 

  • Remember, you're not alone – most everyone has been terminated from a role or laid off at some point in their careers. 

  • Recruiters and employers hire people every day with these obstacles in their career history. 

What matters is how you react to your situation. 

  • Do you let it define you?

  • Do you take this challenge by the horns and set out to make your next job even more fulfilling than the one you left?

Only you can make the situation positive. Recruiters and hiring managers will know if you are bitter about it, so practice your response, yell in your backyard, or do whatever it is you need to do to get the negativity about the situation out of your system. Go into an interview with the right mindset and look at the termination as nothing more than a bump in the road.

You can get hired after being fired!

Getting fired or laid off is not the end of the world or your career. If you stay positive, don't bad-mouth your previous employer, and respond truthfully to the interview questions thrown your way, you will get hired again.

Need career advice and help learning how to answer these tricky questions? Check out our interview coaching services now!

This article was originally written by Felicia Tatum in 2021. It was updated by Marsha Hebert in 2024.

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