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What to say on an interview?
I got fired from my job about three years ago. It was really a great job and it was an exempt position too. I was using drugs at that time and it affected my performance and I was missing a lot of days worked. It was kind of like an eye opener for me when I got fired and I've been drug free since then. I had three little kids so I decided that it would be best if I stayed home with the kids during the day and I took a part time job at night. It's been this way for three years. Now that my youngest kid is also in school, I think that I am ready to work full time again. My dilema is I don't know what to say when asked on a job interview why I left my last full time job. I can't say I got fired because they wouldn't hire me. What do you think would the best response be?
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I would not mention the drug problem at all. What's past is past. There's no need to give potential employers too much information.
If anyone asks you why you left three years ago, just say that you wanted to stay home with your kids during the day and work at night, and that you are ready to enter the full time work force again now they are older.
I doubt that many interviewers will dwell on your last job, since it was a while back.
I do not condone lying, and I don't think that you are lying if you leave out that information. Clearly, if an interviewer specifically asked you if you were ever fired, you must tell the truth. However, as you did leave your job to stay home with your children, you do not have to go into any more detail than that. It's just not their business.
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There are some really good answers here. Someone will be missing out on a great person if they pass you up, but keep trying. I am pulling for you!
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"I was dismissed because I wasn't meeting expectations" might be a good start, followed by "I missed a lot of days due to some problems I'd rather not talk about, but those problems are behind me".
If they press the issue, it's up to you the level of detail you want to provide, but this allows you a modicum of privacy without being dishonest. Some places consider drug addiction a disease, and your health status is considered not-a-grounds-for-discrimination in some places.
If you have a criminal record from your earlier days, that may be an issue (again depending on where you are and what you want to do), you may need to address that depending on the job. Otherwise, you'll need an understanding employer, but if you essentially say you were a wreck back then and you're better now, at least you're disclosing enough that your past makes sense.
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You have to be honest... I just did a website about interview skills... tell them that you were fired for a drug problem, but you had rehab and have been drug free since... honest and strait to the point is best for an interview... a liar won't get hired...
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Hmmm so let me get this straight. You want me suggest a good lie. Normally, I wouldn't dare. But you know what? I've had several years of A/D counselling and I know what you're about to go through, so, just this once, I feel inclined to help.
If I was the prospective employer, not only would I hire you, providing you were qualified, but would respect you so much more if you told me that you left your last place of employment to care for your children. Now that they're in school, etc., etc.,
Not going to say much more.
Oh, and congrats on three years of being clean. Don't forget what it was like.
God be with you and best of luck.
Now.....go clock in!
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I think you should tell them the truth. There is no reason to lie. Tell them "I had gotten fired in my last job for drugs, but now that I quit I shall do a better performance then the last". Or something like that. Hope you get the job!
-shay :-)
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