How to overcome being "terminated" from previous job

Strive2Survive · May 8, 2013

You don't really have to say you were terminated. When a job calls employers, no one can say why you left...at least here in CT.

comrlg · May 8, 2013

If I leave it blank people will ask they have before.

Also, how do I return to the same facility after a "not eligible for rehire" status?

Strive2Survive · May 8, 2013

Not saying leave it blank...that would be just asking for a discussion about it. Say that you were offered another position, or find a reason that doesn't make it seem like a bad transition.

smrnurse · May 9, 2013

If it was a recent job & you are going to state that they can call that employer for a reference, then that employer can say you were fired and why. However, if it was three jobs ago or even two & not relevant to nursing, I would either suggest leaving it off your résumé or just stating you left for a better opportunity ( which is true... Lol) if I were fired, I would consider anything a better opportunity!! Unless u give them permission to call HR, they have NO WAY of finding out & you have the right to learn from a mistake... Take it!!

Misskala · May 9, 2013

What above poster smrnurse states is not completely true. HR will call previous employers to verify work dates/or that were employed where you said you were employed. The previous employer HR person does not necessarily have to offer if you are "eligible for rehire" or not-that's part of your personal record. Similarly, they do not offer the information that you were "terminated," or if you left in good standing, or what your manager thought of you. They simply states dates of employment.

I don't think you give your new job permission to contact the previous employer HR dept. Verifying dates of employment is part of the fact checking process that HR goes through, and this is completely separate/different from calling a reference. A reference is someone who will speak about your job performance--this should be a coworker or a friend or a neighbor or someone in the community you volunteer with, etc. HR does not speak about your job performance.

I would include work history on your future applications because you earned the history, and you learned something from the job I'm sure. You probably have to give a reason for leaving as online applications don't like blanks left. You can say "change in structure and staffing needs" to imply you were let go for staffing reasons. You get the idea, or like another said, pursued another opportunity.

Best of luck!

PS- google terminated....lots of documents on how to handle this.

imintrouble, BSN, RN · May 10, 2013

I wouldn't put terminated on any employment application. Experience has taught me that little lesson. As all the above have stated, there are other creative ways to fill in that spot.

I really hate to lie. I'm no Pollyanna or saint. It just goes against the standards to which I hold myself. But, after being unable to find a job being honest about being fired, I wised up. It was either eat/pay bills, or take my honesty with me to the poor house.

I really like to eat.:)

sharpeimom · May 10, 2013

I had a job I loved, did well at, got excellent evaluations, etc. Then my boss quit and we got a new one who could not stand me. the inevitable occurred. On the applications I filled out, I put either "Will discuss at interview." or "New supervisor" and soon had another job.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · May 10, 2013

I'm going to have to remember some of this creative terminology. Thanks to all for sharing, because I'm fresh out of ideas and I've only been job-hunting for a week.

uRNmyway, ASN, RN · May 10, 2013

I'm going to have to remember some of this creative terminology. Thanks to all for sharing, because I'm fresh out of ideas and I've only been job-hunting for a week.

Have you tried SHOWING up to places you would be interested in working for? That is how I got my job offer. I happened to be in the hospital, sought out the director for float pool, and when I told her my background, SHE asked ME to apply for a job. I am sure with your experience, you should be able to impress someone by meeting in person!!

comrlg · May 13, 2013

Thank you so much everyone for your help. I will definitely consider all of your advice. Just to fill you in a little more. I was part of an approximate 80% turnover during that year. There was no management turnover, but there definitely was some "cleaning house" going on. As a matter of fact a Supervisor that has been employed there for 26 years was also terminated. I have generally written "will discuss at time of interview" but that always left it open and potential employers ended up asking. I always thought when someone calls a previous job they inquired about the time of employement and "if eligible for rehire". This is where I struggle with what to say. Do I just tell them I was part of a turnover? Or do I say, I was immature and grew up a little ? LOL. I guess I am willing to take the blame if I need to, to obtain a job. I do not want to leave this job off my application as it is definitely an extensive part of my experience.

MissM.RN, BSN, RN · May 18, 2013

comrlg - "not eligible for rehire" at a particular hospital or institution usually means just that - not going to happen. sorry, but that is the case at my hospital. HR will not even think twice about your application where I'm from. It seems there is more to this story than you'd prefer to post publicly (understandable - no judgement). I would look elsewhere from your former employer. Hopefully where you live, it's not a small "employer" pond where word gets around fast. good luck to you.