What Should Your Answers Be in a Job Interview After Being Laid Off?

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Interviewers want to know everything about what makes you a great candidate to work for their company. Part of their strategy is to learn why you are looking for new opportunities. Whether you quit, were fired, or even laid off is all part of their getting to know you better. It is important to prepare to address questions around such topics.

If you have been laid off from a previous employer, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, addressing questions around your departure honestly and with thoughtful integrity will help solidify a hiring manager’s respect for your professionalism. All-Star Personnel shares a few examples of tough interview questions that you should prepare for, and some suggestions for how to answer them well.

Why Were You Laid Off?

While this is a particularly blunt way of phrasing the question, many hiring managers are very interested in learning why you are no longer employed with your previous company. If you were laid off, it is best to be honest and open about what happened. Layoffs are a relatively common occurrence, particularly in times of economic upheaval. You might be surprised how many other candidates find themselves in a similar situation, so don’t be intimidated by the question.

The most important thing to remember when answering why you were laid off is to stay as objective as possible. Don’t let your emotions (such as anger or disappointment) color your response. Stick to the facts. If your previous employer was facing financial problems that resulted in your position being outsourced or cut, that is a perfectly understandable situation from the perspective of a hiring manager or recruiter. Maintain your cool and speak to the value you can bring to a new opportunity without dwelling too much in the past.

What Have You Been Doing Since Losing Your Job?

This question is really a great foundation to talk about your passions and show that you are the type of person who bounces back from a disappointment. Showing introspection and resilience through such a difficult situation make candidates look highly appealing to employers. Take the time to discuss how you put great thought into what kind of opportunity you were most interested in pursuing going forward, or maybe mention a passion project you finally had the time to invest in while you were looking for your next job. Both are great ways to turn a negative situation into a positive discussion.

Why Haven’t You Been Able to Find a Job Yet?

While this question is particularly blunt, for employers who are concerned with long gaps in your resume, it is an important one. Good answers to this include taking some personal time to spend with family or pursuing a side project. If you sought out additional training or career development opportunities, those are an excellent point of discussion in response to this question.  The key is to emphasize anything positive that you have done while unemployed.

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