How to Answer: Have you ever been terminated from a job?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Product Manager job interview.
2. Have you ever been terminated from a job?
The Goal
Unless you are interviewing for this role straight out of college or are currently in your first job, your CV shows you have left a company or job at some point. The interviewer is looking to learn the circumstances of any job you were terminated from, if there was cause, and how you took responsibility for any mistakes you made.
Written by Tiffany McPherson on May 10th, 2022
What to Avoid
Being terminated from a job can be very confusing and emotional, even years later. Do not let emotions get in the way of your response in the interview. Whatever the reason for your past termination, remain diplomatic, keep a positive tone, and focus on the future. Most importantly, never speak negatively about an employer.
Written by Tiffany McPherson on May 10th, 2022
How to Answer
If you have never been terminated from a job, your response should be clear and to the point. If you have been terminated in the past, be honest about the situation. State the situation that led to your termination, remaining diplomatic and neutral. Focus on what you learned and how you have grown from the experience.
Written by Tiffany McPherson on May 10th, 2022
Manager Example
"Several years ago, I was let go from a company due to not meeting my sales goals. If I had taken more ownership of my performance, I could have asked for additional training when I saw I was off my projections. Since then, I've had the experience as a manager of terminating a few employees. Termination conversations are always tough, for both the manager and the employee being let go, but I have used my own experience being terminated to help me approach the conversations in an empathetic way."
Written by Tiffany McPherson on May 10th, 2022