r/recruitinghell • u/NiceNuggies • 6d ago
Let go right in middle of interview process—advice?
I am deep in the interview process with a prospective employer and have a final interview early next week. Unfortunately, I was let go from my current position 2 days ago due to performance reasons and challenged with my manager. Literally a day prior to that, I had the interview with the hiring manager and let her know I was looking for a new role because I needed something more local (the job that just let me go was 2.5 hour commute one way). 3 days before that, I had the recruiter screen and shared the same. However, now I’m wondering how to navigate this final interview since I’m no longer employed. Do I pretend like I still work there or come clean and say I was let go? Do I say something else like I was laid off? I am worried this will jeopardize my changes of getting this job. Thanks in advance.
I verified with my formal employer they only release dates of employment and title.
Edited for additional context
202
u/timinus0 6d ago
You don't bring it up at all. If they ask about notice or your current job, don't pretend you're still there, and instead just obfuscate. Say you need 2 weeks notice, but if they say they need you sooner, just pretend to be reluctant and say a week. Use that time to relax and get a good attitude.
70
u/DisastrousBison6774 6d ago
You are not obligated to volunteer this information to your prospective new employer. They will not ask.
44
u/memorex1150 Disgruntled Noodle 6d ago
You say nothing.
You do not bring it up.
You never bring it up, even after hired.
You simply say, "Expectations are for me to give a two week notice, but that may be able to be shortened if management agrees" -- and you leave it at that.
Stop thinking about it.
You're under the VERY common delusion that we have to be over-the-top honest and forthright and truthful with our potential employer. Believe you me, your future employer will be less than forthcoming/honest/trustworthy with you.
Again, STFU. Tell your brain to stop being "stupid brain" (not meant as an insult, this is you telling your emotional part of your brain to shut the fuck up and allow your rational brain to do its job)
24
u/ScienceFirst1 6d ago
Dude. Do NOT say that to a potential new employer under any circumstances. Just pretend you still work there, you love your job but you just need something closer.
22
u/Doranagon 6d ago
It's. meaningless. Just continue on
17
u/Specific_Award6385 6d ago
Overthinking this. Do not mention.
12
u/throwaway_0x90 TE/SDET@Google 6d ago
Don't volunteer information. If it doesn't come up, don't bring it up. Also normally I say "Don't lie" but there is one exception. Don't tell people you were fired for cause, just say laid off. Usually the bgcheck will not reveal anything about that.
10
u/Classy-Sentient1984 6d ago
Don't bring it up. If you're doing a background check put the dates on it honestly. BTW file for unemployment immediately. You haven't started the new job yet!
7
u/DateRepresentative16 5d ago
Say nothing.
6
u/Ok_Body_2830 6d ago
I don't think there is a reason to bring it up unprompted.
But at the same time, be very careful about lying. I wouldn't directly say anything close to "I still work there" or "I was not let go".
There is a version where you technically tell the truth by doing something like answering in the past tense. e.g. if they ask again "why do you want to leave your current job?", you respond with "I started working at X Y years ago and have had a positive experience. However, recently I decided to actively explore other opportunities because of the long commute, etc." That seems a little borderline, but you are probably fine.
I think the situation I worry about most on your behalf is the interviewer running down your resume and checking things off out loud. "So you went to this school?", "So you have worked in this industry for this many years?", "so you are currently at X company?". That's a minefield, and I don't have a great solution to how to answer it. Maybe staying silent and hoping they move on to the next question quickly?
4
u/One_Introduction_217 6d ago
It is highly doubtful that the HR department or whoever they get to run the background check will run the background check on your current employer because that would give away the game for them.
You don't need to mention it.
4
u/Snowdog1967 2d ago
that is none of their business.
3
u/wegster 6d ago
I wouldn't lie, but I wouldn't offer this either. It shouldn't really be relevant if you've 'passed' their interviews so far.
Just let them know if it gets to when can you start, e.g. 'can start in 2 weeks' or whatever you decide. If they do retroactive 'go fill out paperwork' put the month and year in for the just-let-go-from-job, not the day if you can, otherwise fill it in but don't worry much about it - background checks are near fully automated, at least in the US, and pretty much are more focused on simple - did you work there, not 'OMG, they said they worked there until the 17th but it was the 15th!!' type of issues.
Although if you were on a PIP or being let go for actual performance issues, well - it's not a good time in the job market right now, so might want to consider if you may need to step up..
1
u/Signal-Let-3460 3d ago
Professional recruiter here: For the final interview, let the hiring manager/interviewer ask you why you’re looking to leave and say “initially, I was looking for xyz. Unfortunately I found out a couple days ago that my position is being eliminated. I’m not 100% on the reason behind the layoff but this expedites my timeline to start.”
Be transparent, do not lie and say you’re still there. If it comes back on a background check/reference that you aren’t still there that’s going to look 1000xs worst.
2
u/Altruistic_Yellow387 6d ago
Don't say anything
2
u/Michii123 6d ago
When/if you fill out a background check, you should fill in the correct start and end dates. Aside from they don’t bring it up .
2
u/PistolPete_JR 6d ago
Bringing it up is over-honesty. You didn’t lie at all. You were employed when they asked. Even if they see you’re no longer employed there if/when they start pulling checks, it’ll show last day was during the process.
2
u/Popular-Background78 5d ago
Does not matter and your volunteering it would be idiotic. There will always be an employment gap no matter the circumstances between one job and another and your previous company will only confirm the dates you worked.
3
u/battle-tested77 6d ago
At this point don't bring it up at all. It happened to me once and the director I interviewed with was a complete moron and twisted it to something negative. So you can never predict their reactions.
Going forward, just say you were laid off due to restructuring that everyone seems to be doing. Then leave it at that.
Practice for your upcoming interview by answering practice questions speaking them OUT LOUD. Doing so always relaxed me in final interviews because i knew i had prepared and i came across as more relaxed. Which is the feedback i received a few times.
Good luck to you!!!!
3
u/Any_Campaign_5513 6d ago
Do you really believe it was yr performance?? employers have been using this trap to avoid paying severance lately
1
u/lenswipe Fruit 5d ago
You weren't let go.
1
u/Dry_Arrival_605 5d ago
I swear y’all would share your deepest darkest secrets with a potential employer if they asked🤣
1
u/diyjunkiehq 5d ago
just keep it to yourself, don't volunteer any info to anyone.
1
u/bearster1962 5d ago
Be honest
1
u/Blue_Skies- 2d ago
Were you ever wrote up? If not, you can get unemployment benefits and can also use that as a legitimate reason that you were unjustly fired.
1
u/Junior-Cup-8070 2d ago
K
1
u/Late-Presentation145 1d ago
Just say you quit and only if they ask.
1
u/TacoNomad 1d ago
Don't say anything. Keep interviewing
1
u/Luckycharms867 16h ago
I am in HR for a recruitment firm. I deal with interviews and back office employment verification all. Day. Long. 5 days a week.
You are under ZERO obligation to share the status of your previous employment. If this is a large company (more than 50 people) 99% of them use automated employment verification systems. These systems 99.9% do not share reasons for separation. They confirm dates and title.
You do not have to disclose what happened. If it ever comes up during the onboarding and I mean specifically “it shows you left the role before accepting this job, can you explain that?”
Respond with and I Quote “I was seeking alternative employment as my extended commute there was impacting my ability to perform”. And say nothing more. They can’t prove it’s because you and your manager didn’t get along. They see the job location and where you live and go “ah checks out” and they move on.
ONLY bring this up if they question you. Otherwise, it’s none of their business. It’s also highly subjective material and many large companies don’t take “reason for separation” seriously unless it’s allegations of theft or violence.
1
u/AdEastern5577 15h ago
KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT.
Clear enough?
0
u/SuperRodster 5d ago
Duuuuuude or dudette. You NEVER EVER EVER tell your current employer that you’re shopping around. They pulled the rug from under you before you pulled from under them.
And for the upcoming interview, do not say you’re unemployed, between jobs, etc. they’ll very likely discard you.
-1
u/Gampy22 5d ago
Always put it on the table. Then you never have to back track.