Free Career and Job Search Advice

geminidmn · Newbie Joined: 06 Sep 2006 Posts: 3 Career Advice: +0/-0

I find I get a lot of call backs on my Resume, but I never get the job (after the interview stage). Hmmmmmmmmmmm, sounds strange, but true and I think I know why, I CANT SELL MYSELF. I answer all the questions that are asked of me, tell me a little about yourself, so I do (ME: a college grad with a BA in political science and AAS in paralegal studies who can only manage to get jobs as a secretary, sad right?), I NEED HELP.

I have an interview this Friday, the interview of a lifetime and Iwould really like to get the job. According to the person from the employment agency who set up the interview he told me that they chose me out of the resumes they sent in for this position, he believes because I have a legal background which the employer DID NOT ask for although it is in the legal dept of a major sports team.

I have read all the usual interview questions, this time i am armed with EXAMPLES of how and what I did (Following the PAR method, Prolem, Action, and Response (to the action).

To make a long story short, sort of, I WAS FIRED FROM MY LAST JOB, and dont know how to explain this, I usually say I was laid off from a family company who no longer needed me and employed family menbers instead.

since it is a local job, subsequent to me they were looking (again) for someone to fill this position. I did not get along with the owners niece/grandaughter, she grew to dislike me and she literally made up stories about me to get me fired,this sounds so hard to believe and I know it does, which is why I cant use this on the new interview. Not to sound like this is an answer, but I am a 48 mother and wife, I dont like drama, I dont like confrontation and most of all I do not lie. I have a busy life, work outside the home and work inside the home, I have to help with homework and I dont get to sit down until 7 or 8 in the evening. I dont have time to harass people nor the inclination to do so. However, it was difficult to contend with a 20 something relative of the boss and the CEO of the company who in the end wanted to see me fired. she would openly talk about the girl who worked there before me, openly talk about how she did things, loud so I would overhear, she would overstep what I was told to do and take it upon herself to make up rules for the office by going to her grandfather (CEO) and/or her uncle (President). She would evsedrop on me and tell my boss I was on the internet (playing) which were her exact words, she would timeline me on what I was doing at certain times in the day all of which was a lie, but I had no network or no one who would stand up for me. I know this sounds unbelievable, but believe me it is true all true. the office manager was a real Kiss A-- who went along with anything they wanted, he protected their mistakes and not mine, it was a nightmare, I left that office in tears on many occasions and went to work everyday afraid of what was going to be said to me. I wanted to leave and I should have before it got to the point where I was fired or LET GO after 2 years as it was said to me.

With this in mind, can someone help me with why I left my last job answer?????????????????????????????????????????

mtb · Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 11:04 am Post subject:

If what you say is true then this is certainly a difficult situation.

Firstly no matter what, do not lie as this will only complicate the situation further.

If questioned about your previous employer then simply be honest, but try not the dwell on the subject. If you come across genuine and sincere then you should be okay. All that needs to be said is that you were unhappy in your employment due to a number of reasons, and unfortunately this affected your work and due to this you were let go after 2 years of employment. Make it clear that leaving your previous employer was a good thing, and that they did you favour!

Be confident, be genuine, but most importantly be honest! The person conducting the interview should appreciate this.

Good luck! Smile

geminidmn · Newbie Joined: 06 Sep 2006 Posts: 3 Career Advice: +0/-0

Yes, it is ALL TRUE, and it was a nightmare. I stayed against my deepest belief that I should have quit, but 1) I couldnt afford to and 2) I never really thought how this would affect my subsequent job search. Now, I know it has. Oh well, I will try to use this method, I did on my last interview but I think most astute interviewers know what this means, I wouldnt insult an intelligent person as to think this would pull the wool over their eyes. Hopefully I will find a job soon, thanks.

Ola · Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 11:46 am Post subject:

your definitely, on the right track, you see with interviews, you learn a lot from the last one and so on, and you definitely get better at articulating what you want to say, all the best.

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lilo · Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 11:06 am Post subject:

Hi, Geminidmn. I'm a fresh graduate who had a lot of season jobs during university courses. Here's what I think.
First of all, forget about this...how should I call it...incident.I can tell it really had a negative effect on you because you talked about it in very small details. The story shows clearly that you are right but it is very important that you should focus on the future. Here are some mistakes I believe are responsible for your "lack of selling yourself ability":

If you have worked in a place where you have been fired from, there's no need for you to actually mention the reasons for which you were laid off. In fact, there's no need for you to even mention you were FIRED. If there's one thing employers are not found of is complaints. So by no means are you to start complain about the previous work place! Talk about abilities, desires, objectives etc, not about failures and disappointments.

Why start like this "ME: a college grad with a BA in political science and AAS in paralegal studies who can only manage to get jobs as a secretary", when you can begin like this:"I'm college grad with a BA in political science and AAS in paralegal studies who has not been yet given the opportunity to show her professional abilities and competences." As I said before, an employer is not interested in your failures and the reasons for which you cannot get other type of job (so no need thinking in terms of "sad, right?").

Now, suppose you are obliged to answer the "why did you leave your last job?" question, you can just be concise in the answer and just say that that particular job did not offer you professional satisfaction. Don't mention any conflict situation. Diplomacy is the key.

I hope these words will be of real help for you. Good luck with your interview and allways remember it is the positive attitude also that can get you this job!

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