Trending post
Morgan Hanson
Bullet point
Follow
Account Executive

How do I explain getting fired?!

Got fired from Dollar Tree last week because I didn’t get along with my manager. I’m so worried I won’t be able to find a new job now. How do I explain this??

14 Comments
about 10 years ago
Like
Comment
Share
lisa mckinley
Bullet point
Follow
Stock Clerk at Walmart

What did ur management do and record every thing they say to u cause I was in the same situation where my manager would cues out the employee

10y
Like
Reply
Jim Flack
Bullet point
Follow
I just may be the droid you are looking for.

Just say, "It wasn't a good fit for me." Period, end of story.

10y
Like
Reply
1
Kelly Irminger
Bullet point
Follow

You had a personality conflict

10y
Like
Reply
See all replies
Kelly Irminger
Bullet point
Follow

You had a personality conflict

10y
Like
Reply
Rosalynn Cross
Bullet point
Follow

Well explain the situation and what was the difficulty between you and your employer. Sometimes when personal feelings are involved it's time to move on. You have to get along with everyone. Customers come in all types and you don't have to like them, but service as a employee is a must. This is what I would do for myself, I'd explain the situation. And be honest

10y
Like
Reply
Allen J Rowbotham
Bullet point
Follow
Project Manager at Technical Staffing Assoc Cobham Life Support Systems

Morgan, Dollar Tree is just a stepping stone in your career path. Most states are an "at will" which means that both parties can dissolve the relationship for any reason therefore, even when you are laid off it is still technically being fired from the company. The caveat being that the layoff status allows for unemployment compensation. Best thing to do is learn from your actions and move on. There are far better career paths which are now open to you. You will meet and work with people who have similar attitudes, learn to deal with them and you will grow as an employee and leader. If you must explain, just say we had a difference of opinions and there are no hard feelings and it is time to move on.

10y
Like
Reply
Keith R. Enste
Bullet point
Follow
Administrative Assistant at New Jersey Citizen Action

Morgan,

Don't explain it unless it becomes necessary to do so; just say you were released from the job. Try not to say too much about not getting along with the management because that can become a real "albatross" around your neck, especially if you get a rep "fair not not" as someone who either is difficult or simply cannot get along with either management or co-workers. I think that this is a case of the less said the better: just say you moved on to pursue something more lucrative; or because you felt you had no advancement opportunities there. With employers being so worried about law suits from former employees; it is likely the most they will tell your next employer is the dates you worked there and how well you got along. Just say you were let go or downsized because the job or the company was not a good fit for you. Try not to make it about not "getting along" or about some sort of personality conflict between you and your ex-boss. This is a definite "red-flag" to any prospective employer you may encounter in the future. Just say you were released because their management decided to go in another direction or with a candidate they felt was a better fit for their organization. In saying this you're being truthful while keeping the conflict out of it. Most employers will avoid employees that they feel "can't or don't get along with co-workers or superiors like the plague. Keep it short and sweet as much as possible; be honest without being overly so. They don't need all of the ugly details: that truly is irrelevant and frankly is none of their business.

Good luck.

10y
Like
Reply
1
Terri Neal
Bullet point
Follow

Well what's the reason for not getting along? He/She can only tell the next employer hire/fire date. Tell the next employer the truth!!!

10y
Like
Reply
See all replies
Morgan Hanson
Bullet point
Follow
Account Executive

I wouldn't volunteer any information but if asked then be honest. Don't throw anybody under the bus and explain how you were able to grow professionally or personally from the experience.

10y
Like
Reply
1
Frederick Goff
Bullet point
Follow
Co Founder Ceo at Jobcase Inc

Hi Morgan, Can you upload your resume, or fill out your profile - will help me, and other jobcasers, with context to best help you answer that question - and be sure to hit our 'get praise' button from friends or past coworkers, bosses. Lots of praise on your jobcase profile (which prints out as a resume) is the best way to prove this boss was an outlier - not the norm.
In general though, I don't think you need to go into specifics if people asked why you left. You can say - "I had a personality conflict with my direct supervisor which we both decided meant that it wasn't a good fit". Then be prepared to answer what type of manager or environment WOULD be a good fit for you to excel.
Remember in an interview to take each question and be sure to end with why/how that means you would be a good employee for them. Employers don't want to hear how much the job means to you, or what you will get out of it. Their job is to find someone who will help the company grow and succeed. So an answer like "my last place of employment wasn't a good fit - thats why I am excited about this opportunity, based on the people I have met and what I am learning here today, this sounds like a place that I could bring a lot of value to, I am really excited to start working as a ......."
Something like that - take he focus off the negative past and redirect it to the promised positive future.

Everyone has personality conflicts and most people eventually get fired a few times. Just the way of the world I guess. Don't let it get you down - it'll be fine! Fred

10y
Like
Reply
1
See all replies
See more comments
Add