Job Application Question (v. help!)
 

OK, I have an interview for a job coming up, and on the questionnaire they ask for reasons why you left a position if it were involuntary. I need some help with how to answer this question on a particular position.

It was a contract position, I was there 4 months. Periodically during the first 3 months into it I asked how I was doing (contract to hire position). I got the typical feedback, doing great, but here are some areas to improve upon, nothing major, etc...

Fast forward to the last month... have a meeting with the manager and new team leader. He wants us to work together closely on a large project, and in the process she is to help me in my areas that need improvement. Sounds like a great plan, we all sign on and move forward.

One week later, 5PM on Friday the Manager calls me and asks me to come to his office. Hes terminating the contract for the few shortcomings I have. The whole working together with the team leader thing never got started, and all of my co-workers there are FLOORED as no one saw the reasoning or even a hint that it was coming.

I think he wanted to terminate me for some minor personal differences he and I had, along with the fact that we used different methodology in doing the same tasks. For whatever reason, even though what we would do accomplished the same thing, in the same amount of time (usually faster), he didnt like my ways.

So how do I go about explaining this on the application?

Do I put something like, "Will give detailed answer during interview."? (I really dont like this option...) Or what?

Thanks in advance.

You don't want to bring up the personal differences with the boss. Many interviews have ended for me as soon as the applicant has mentioned something like that. Of course I always continued the interview, but something like that was always a major strike when I was hiring.

If you don't mind, what were the shortcomings that they mentioned?

"i'll come down there with my tools, and i start work tomorrow, Jerky!"

Just tell them they restructured the department and a few people such as yourself didn't fit into their future plans.
Sounds like a layoff situation to me.

Here is a suggestion from another source...

The areas of improvement wont help us get to where I am going. It was really nit picky crap, and so long ago that honestly, its left my brain...

Also from elsewhere...

As Dave says 100%.

The cleaning lady looks a solid excuse, but they are sure to question as to why you thought using her butt to polish the desk would be a good method.

:rolleyes::D:D

More seriously, do NOT mention personal differences with your boss. This instantly throws up a red flag.

They will interpret it in negative terms, you are a difficult person to work with, you reject authority, you are not a team player, you are not easy to indoctrinate in the "company way" of doing things, etc, etc.

The manager, and possibly also your team leader are going to say you were let go because of the "little shortcomings" you mention.

Your trick will be to be honest enough to admit to some or all of them, while at the same time playing them down going forward. Not that easy, but you can do it.

As a suggestion, say something like your work system or methodology did not fit with the major project, and although willing to and you had agreed to adapt you were given insufficient time with your mentor. And you are willing to go into much detail at interview if needed.
[If they go for this it will give them scope for a lot of questions as to why your work methods were a bad fit, and you would be wise to predict these questions and have your answers ready for the interview]

Best of luck

Joe:)

and again...

Thoughts on this approach?

What are the chances of the new job people knowing the old job people?

How far are you willing to "be creative"?

I'm not one to lie, I don't want to put myself into that position. This particular contract came at a time where I was solely doing contract work. So if you look at my resume, it looks normal.

Like I said, I don't want to lie, but I want to handle the situation properly, without jeopardizing my chances...

next question, how long ago was it?

if you have have been working for a decent amount of time in the appropriate scope of business, you could just omit it. would your resume look effective if it just stops chronologically at that point...

this is of course assuming it is a chronological resume, have you written a skills/education resume. List your skills/ability relevant to the job you are looking to grab and back it up with experience as an example for each.

...and +1 more to leaving personals or blaming supervisors out of it

This is the way to go. If they feel they must have more information, you will be questioned. You say this was along time ago, so that you should include a date. This should deter further interest.

I have hired many people and fired a few, all of whom later thanked me for doing so. If you feel inclined to send me your draft via PM or email, I will be pleased to provide constructive criticism for what it is worth.

P.S. This site is your trump testimonial, it confirms initiative, skills, knowledge, character, everything an employer should be looking for. Use it by providing easy access, with pointers towards, history, progress, innovation and development. If you really want the job give it your very best shot above all else.

Unfortunately, its on my resume, and they have that already. And if I didnt include it, there would be a 4 month gap in work history. And its recent enough (last 4 jobs) that there is a spot on the application.

Thanks for all of the insight guys, I really appreciate it.

Explain it as a 3 month contract job that lasted 4 months. Completely honest and harmless.

Fill in the blanks with 'Self Employed' stuff.

I have had the same accounts alive since 1977' I was not always doing anything with them, but they show a 'history' that only you can verify'.

That takes a lot of the 'mystery' out of your work history. When asked " Why didn't you keep it as primary income?", you can say that your " Mom said that I should get something with bennifits before you are too old". It worked for me.

Now I dispatch millions of dollars worth of equipment and play 'spider solitare' till a problem developes.