Rank: Newbie
Groups: Member
Joined: 7/18/2008
Posts: 2
Points: 6
Location: CA
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Hello:
I am a public librarian.
Recently I began filling out a required application for, what I believe would be, my dream job. I was mortified to get to a line on the
app which asked "Have you ever been discharged or forced to resign from employment." I was fired from my most recent position and
I truly don't know how to answer this question honestly without looking bad. Applicants are asked to check Yes or No and to "give details."
The reasons I were given for dismissal were performance issues, however, my review consisted of lies and embellished shortcomings
that I was not given a chance to refute, nor were they brought to my attention to "correct" beforehand. I was still on new hire probation.
So my question is, how does one address the application question? Will keeping the "details" brief be a redder flag than it is already?
Thanks for any advice.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/3/2008
Posts: 50
Points: 150
Location: kansas
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You need to answer honestly, that yes, you were let go. You can then give factual details that you were still on the probationary period, and then say what the employer told you. You can say that this was "the reason given."
Do not lie----if someone calls the employer, they will be told a very different story. Getting fired is one thing--lying about is another altogether.
You don't want to elaborate, nor try to explain the employer's reasoning. You can not speak for them. Do not complain about this experience--I think everyone would expect you to think that the firing was unfair! If they call you and ask about this in an interview, you can address the positive aspects of the job. Did you learn anything pertinent to librarianship there? Did you learn something about your own work style?
You need to emphasize your abilities in your cover letter. Getting fired doesn't mean you can not get another job, and it doesn't mean you aren't good at what you do. It means you have to pick yourself up and maintain a positive point of view---hard as that can be.
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