[Help] Job interview - advice needed

[scooter1]

I have a job interview next week, however I have just been let go by my current employer and am now working out a notice period.
Should I tell the interview panel that I am now out of work, or does this shift the power of negotiation(salary etc) to the prospective employer if they know that i'm no longer employed?

The above doesn't have any bearing on a prospective start date, as this would still be 7 or 8 weeks away

Thanks in advance

 

[Thunder Bolt]

You may be asked a direct question in regard of working a notice so therefore be honest.
If it isn't relevant to the interview, then don't volunteer the information.

 

[Triggaaar]

It may depend on the type of work you're doing, but I'm not sure there's any benefit in telling them.

Also, why were you let go (rhetorical)? Is the answer something that would put your prospective employers off you?

 

[Wes Tupper]

Just answer their questions and don’t lie. Don’t volunteer any information that might count against you. Even though you are working your notice, you are still employed.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

If your application states you are employed, you are still employed so there is no need to declare a change of circumstances.

If you are asked directly whether your employment circumstances have changed you should then explain the situation.

If the new company will take up references from the old then you should briefly mention the circumstance change at the end of the interview, I suspect, along with the reason why you have been 'let go'. But others may have better advice in this regard.

 

[scooter1]

It may depend on the type of work you're doing, but I'm not sure there's any benefit in telling them.

Also, why were you let go (rhetorical)? Is the answer something that would put your prospective employers off you?

The current company is in financial shite, and as it scales right down to the bare bones every staff member is taking a hit. My hit, being the largest...... Losing my job, is not a reflection of the quality of my work

 

[Weststander]

If your application states you are employed, you are still employed so there is no need to declare a change of circumstances.

If you are asked directly whether your employment circumstances have changed you should then explain the situation.

If the new company will take up references from the old then you should briefly mention the circumstance change at the end of the interview, I suspect, along with the reason why you have been 'let go'. But others may have better advice in this regard.

In a routine reference reply, would the earlier employer mention it? I suppose their use of the past tense would give it away.

 

[Triggaaar]

The current company is in financial shite, and as it scales right down to the bare bones every staff member is taking a hit. My hit, being the largest...... Losing my job, is not a reflection of the quality of my work

From the point of view of the new job, it's good that leaving your old position isn't a reflection of your work. But I'm not sure it's worth bringing up. Is the new role in the same industry? If so, your old place struggling and you needing work, could put you in a weaker position regarding salary expectations.

I can't see the benefit of mentioning it, but if it does fit the discussion I guess just come across as positive about yourself and your prospects of getting more work - you are brilliant after all.

 

[Commander]

I have a job interview next week, however I have just been let go by my current employer and am now working out a notice period.
Should I tell the interview panel that I am now out of work, or does this shift the power of negotiation(salary etc) to the prospective employer if they know that i'm no longer employed?

The above doesn't have any bearing on a prospective start date, as this would still be 7 or 8 weeks away

Thanks in advance

As an MD of a recruitment company, my advice would be that you have two options: Come clean and give them the full facts, or commit to the lie but be prepared to get caught out. Coming clean definitely lowers your negotiation power a bit, but it shows you are trustworthy. Depending on the reasons you have been let go.

The problem with not mentioning it is that, depending on how small a world your industry is, they may well find out. I had this happen a few months ago, I interviewed someone who told me she was working for a company I used to work for years ago, and wasn't smart enough to realise that I would probably still have some contacts there. I did some digging and found out she'd left a few months earlier. That was the end of the process. Had she been up front about it, I'd have probably hired her.

That said, had she not been working for a company I had contacts at, I may never have found out, and she would have been able to negotiate a better package than she would have had done if I'd have known she was out of work.

 

[Insel affe]

I hate interviews, so much so I have stayed in my current job for 14 years now, I cannot offer any advice other than Triggaar's & Commander's advice sounds pretty solid.

I would like to say good luck for the future, during a very stressful time for you.

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

The current company is in financial shite, and as it scales right down to the bare bones every staff member is taking a hit. My hit, being the largest...... Losing my job, is not a reflection of the quality of my work

So you are being made redundant?

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

The current company is in financial shite, and as it scales right down to the bare bones every staff member is taking a hit. My hit, being the largest...... Losing my job, is not a reflection of the quality of my work

A job interview is a two way process. As well as you selling yourself to your prospective employer, they need to sell their company to you. Don't put yourself on the back foot. Good luck!

 

[Stumpy Tim]

I wouldn't mention it and when asked about notice period say "one month, but I can probably negotiate that as the company is struggling a bit". To be honest, I've done exactly that myself in the past. They're not going to ask "have you been let go by your company?".

 

[hans kraay fan club]

In the 20+ years of interviewing prospective recruits, I can't remember ever NOT asking them why they were choosing to leave their current role.

It is a good leading question, and allows the opportunity for very good (its not challenging enough / I wanted a role in an organisation with a clear structure for career development / I just really liked the look of this position) and very bad (I didn't get on with anyone there / the management were all ****s / the job was too much hard work) responses. I can't imagine not asking it - so be prepared to give an honest answer if they do.

 

[jcdenton08]

As pretty much everyone has already said, and I share their opinion, it’s best to not lie, but similarly don’t bring it up unless directly asked.

E.g. “Availability wise, what is your current notice period?”

You can go ahead and answer that honestly without having to explain your current situation.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

You may be asked a direct question in regard of working a notice so therefore be honest.
If it isn't relevant to the interview, then don't volunteer the information.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

In the 20+ years of interviewing prospective recruits, I can't remember ever NOT asking them why they were choosing to leave their current role.

It is a good leading question, and allows the opportunity for very good (its not challenging enough / I wanted a role in an organisation with a clear structure for career development / I just really liked the look of this position) and very bad (I didn't get on with anyone there / the management were all ****s / the job was too much hard work) responses. I can't imagine not asking it - so be prepared to give an honest answer if they do.

We actually got this answer last year, from some chubby, chavvy, middle-aged woman who applied for one of our admin roles.

"Why are you looking to leave your current (very, very similar) position?"

"I'm looking for an easy job. They keep asking me to do too much work"

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

As an MD of a recruitment company, my advice would be that you have two options: Come clean and give them the full facts, or commit to the lie but be prepared to get caught out. Coming clean definitely lowers your negotiation power a bit, but it shows you are trustworthy. Depending on the reasons you have been let go.

The problem with not mentioning it is that, depending on how small a world your industry is, they may well find out. I had this happen a few months ago, I interviewed someone who told me she was working for a company I used to work for years ago, and wasn't smart enough to realise that I would probably still have some contacts there. I did some digging and found out she'd left a few months earlier. That was the end of the process. Had she been up front about it, I'd have probably hired her.

That said, had she not been working for a company I had contacts at, I may never have found out, and she would have been able to negotiate a better package than she would have had done if I'd have known she was out of work.

The OP’s situation is different though. Your candidate stated she was working for a company but had left “months earlier.“…that’s a clear lie. The OP is still working for a company albeit seeing out a notice period. Is there a need to volunteer this info? Curious. If I was in the OP’s position I’d probably mention it at the end of the interview given there’s nothing to hide.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

We actually got this answer last year, from some chubby, chavvy, middle-aged woman who applied for one of our admin roles.

"Why are you looking to leave your current (very, very similar) position?"

"I'm looking for an easy job. They keep asking me to do too much work"

Did she get the job? Or did the chubby chaviness work against her?

 

[jcdenton08]

A job interview is a two way process. As well as you selling yourself to your prospective employer, they need to sell their company to you. Don't put yourself on the back foot. Good luck!

Excellent and often forgotten point.

There’s a new trend (I say new, I mean relatively new particularly since COVID) for something called a “one way interview”. They basically record you answering pre-written questions into your webcam or phone and then IF they like you, you get a proper interview.

I was “invited” to one of these after applying for something, and I said no, because I also want to talk to them about what they can offer me.

They replied back saying “You aren’t the kind of person we’re looking for”. Yeah - I have a feeling I dodged a bullet there.