Dear Joan:
I am at a loss how to handle an unexpected termination by an employer after only six weeks. What do you suggest in terms of stating it on my resume? When I’m interviewing, what steps should I take to handle potential employer’s questions to explain my situation?

My former employer is in the education industry. I left that job at the end of March 2007, after 7 years and multiple positions. I accepted a position as a software engineer (more salary, better hours) with a company in industry. The new employer just terminated my employment this week stating that I was not meeting their expectations. During the termination meeting with HR, the representative was evasive to my questions.

During the interview process, the hiring manager stated that I would receive three months of training via a mentoring program to learn about the company’s software product, system design and architecture, and their coding conventions and methods. Two of us were hired six weeks ago. The day I was let go, I found out two interns are starting this Tuesday.

The entire situation has me searching for answers these last two days. I want to put it behind me but am worried that it may impact my future employment. Any advice or feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Answer:
There are several good things (believe it or not) about your circumstances:

• You have a good seven year track record with your previous employer, where you performed well and were given increasing responsibilities.
• You were promised three months of training you never received (or at least received only a small part of it).
• You weren’t the only one to be released during the probationary period, which makes the termination look more like a position elimination, than a performance problem.
• Two interns replaced the two full-time hires, which suggest they went for the cheaper, grow-your-own variety.
• You were only there six weeks—not enough time to do much of anything that suggests your performance was the problem.

Don’t wring your hands about this, it will only make you frantic and send the wrong signals to the employers with whom you will be interviewing. Instead, tell them the truth
and the facts will speak for you.

Calmly explain that you had a great career with your former employer, but left to go with a company who offered more salary and better hours. Explain that they also offered a three-month training program. Point out that two of you were hired at the same time, and then the company changed course. They did not provide any training, replaced you both with interns and ended your positions after only six weeks.

Explain how you were disappointed but that you feel they must have realized after they hired the two of you, that they didn’t have the resources or the salary to fulfill their training and mentoring promises. Unfortunately, not thinking that through beforehand left you both without jobs.

Then calmly explain that you are once again looking for a new position. You might add that you learned a good lesson and will be checking out potential jobs more thoroughly to make sure they are a good fit for your skills and (say it with a smile…) you will do a better job of finding out more about the employer next time. Any employer will understand that.

If you don’t put it on your resume, you will have to account for the relatively long gap since your last job. If it’s not included and comes up in conversation, it could look like you are hiding something. So, if you don’t include it on your resume, you could mention it briefly in your cover letter. If you do put it on your resume, you can either include it in a chronological format, with the six-week date clearly indicated, or you could do a functional resume and put your successful job duties prominently on the page, first and include the recent employer and dates later.

In any event, be prepared to explain it without shame or guilt. These things happen and employers know it. If you roll with this bump in the road, it will speak highly of your ability to adapt to change and stay positive in the face of adversity.


Joan Lloyd is an executive coach, management consultant, facilitator and professional trainer/speaker.  Email your question to Joan at info@joanlloyd.com.  Joan Lloyd & Associates, (800) 348-1944, Visit www.JoanLloyd.com © Joan Lloyd & Associates, Inc.