- 1). Practice a response to the question of why you were fired, and ask a friend to give you feedback on your delivery. Become comfortable with the response, because the tone and manner in which you that address the subject is critical. Be sincere and matter of fact about the firing; avoid sounding defensive or placing blame on the former employer.
- 2). Be honest about the reason you were fired. Perceived dishonesty will hurt your chances of getting the job far more than the firing itself. The employer may conduct a background check and the reason for the termination will be revealed. It's better to offset the negative information with your own explanation.
- 3). Tell the employer what you have learned from the experience. For example, if you were fired from a sales job, you can state that you realized you really don't enjoy direct sales and it is not one of your strengths. Instead, you are much more comfortable in brand marketing, an area in which you have proven skills and accomplishments.
- 4). Reassure the employer that the problem will not occur again by sharing the strategies you have developed to prevent the issue in the future. If your firing was due to a performance problem on your part, you could explain that you have now learned to ask for help immediately and communicate when there are issues outside of your control instead of hoping to fix the problem yourself.
- 5). Offer to provide any additional details or answer any further questions the prospective employer might have. This demonstrates your openness and willingness to address the employer's concerns.
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