Fired on Friday the 13th.

[SuzieeQ]

Well to make a long story short, I was let go on Friday from my management position (DOC). I was not given an explanation as to why they decided to terminate me, nor was I given any warnings/discipline prior. It was completely out of the blue. Now I'm trying to find a new job but am dreading being interviewed and not knowing what to tell the interviewer in regards to why I left my last job. Does any one have experience with job searching after being dismissed? I'm still very confused and am beginning to feel angry about the whole situation.

[Inori, BSN, RN]

Well .. usually termination you have an exit interview, they give you some paperworks to read over, sign, mainly to continue insurance under cobra.

1.) call your HR department and former supervisor, ask what was the reason you were let go? what information will they tell future employers?

2.) Apply for unemployment (contact department of labor). Get your unemployment checks while you job search.

3.) Contact work friends would be willing to write you a letter of recommendation (usually not but can't hurt).

4.) pretend to be HR from other place and call asking about yourself lol to see what they will say. (leave for much later).

5.) Take some time off, decompress, and move on) when asked just state the facts and thats it. no anger no ranting. then offer how can you help new employer.

Also you have a right to review your employment file, (not remove it or anything from it), and if you disagree with X review or decision to add a counter statement your letter to your file. I hope this was helpful.

Disclaimer: this is not legal advice, all suggestions, are drawn from my own experience and research.

[SuzieeQ]

Yes, they gave me paperwork - one was a release and one was severance related. I asked during the termination meeting for a reason, and they were very vague. "It was an operational decision" and "the company is taking a new direction" was what I was told. The vague explanations only upset me more and I walked out, taking my papers with me. I am not concerned about references, I have plenty of former supervisors, colleagues that are willing to be references. I have already done all of what you have suggested except for calling them and pretending to be HR to see what they say - LOL.The real question was, what am I going to tell potential employers about why I left my last job?

[FlyingScot, RN]

I'd tell them there was a leadership restructuring and some operational changes on which they did not elaborate.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

After many years in the ________field of nursing, I chose a management position. After being a ______manager for __________ years/months, I realized that my vision did not work well with the overall vision and the direction that the facility was moving towards, the company agreed, and we parted ways. What my vision and style can do for your facility is____________ (and highlight some things that you have learned that make you the type of leader you are)

Good luck, and you certainly don't have to say "I was terminated" only we parted ways...and after it became apparent that the styles and direction of the company was not what you find are within your style. Do NOT take it personally, as who knows what "direction" they are heading in.....

[SinikRN101]

I believe in a case such as this, the "direction" they were headed in would have been to let you go and find someone cheaper and maybe less qualified. All the above comments ^^^ I agree with also especially about unemployment. Good luck.

[SuzieeQ]

I thought I'd update and thank every one for their input and advice. I started my new job last Monday! I was honest about my termination from my last job and the interviewers were very understanding of my situation. Iade it clear that it was without cause, and the company explained that they were taking a new direction. Thanks for your kind words :)

[brandy1017, ASN, RN]

Management is on the direct firing line, literally. When you work in a right to work state you can be fired for no reason at all. The only recourse is if you could prove it was the result of a federally protected status ie age discrimination or racial discrimation for instance.

Maybe someone didn't like you, politics or maybe they wanted to give your job to a friend or family member. Simple as that!

[FlyingScot, RN]

When you work in a right to work state you can be fired for no reason at all. The only recourse is if you could prove it was the result of a federally protected status ie age discrimination or racial discrimation for instance.

Just a point of clarification. The phrase "right to work" relates to those employers with unions. It is the law that allows people to not join the union but still work a union job. The term you are looking for is "employment at will" which indeed means that an employer can fire you for any reason other than one that is federally protected.

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

Tell them exactly what you were told - vagueness and all. Sometimes employers make changes just for the sake of changing, and it doesn't always mean that the person being displaced was doing a poor job. I see nothing wrong with telling a prospective employer that you were told that your former company is going in a different direction - which is exactly what they said to you. If you want to expound upon this, tell them that prior to this you had no disciplinary action against you, and your former employer never expressed dissatisfaction with your work.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Sounds more like a lay off or that your position was eliminated rather than termination for cause.