On-line Job Applications After Being Fired

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Sep 10, 2013

I certainly understand your frustration. Unfortunately, it seems as though you are dealing with employers who have set this up as a 'screening question' on their online application systems. These systems can be customized by setting up parameters and filters that simply screen out applicants based upon responses to key questions.

I know of one instance in which a filter had been set to accept only candidates with a bachelor's degree (because that was the minimal qualification) BUT - someone set the filter up on a way that also screened out anyone with a BA or Master's degree...... very unintended consequences ....... and this was not discovered until the hiring manager carried out his own investigation. So, I know that it may not make you feel any better, but I just wanted to help you see that it isn't really personal.

There are very few of us that can make it entirely through a multi-decade career without being "involuntarily terminated" at some point.... twice for me, plus If you can make an appointment or contact a recruiter, you have a better chance of getting past this roadblock. Fingers crossed for you!

TrixieRN1 · Sep 10, 2013

HouTx, thank you for your words of advice/encouragement. What helped you through your challenge of being "involuntarily terminated"?

I'm attending a job fair tomorrow and will see what pans out there. I'm a good nurse and I'm not giving up on finding a good job. I may simply have to broaden my scope. Thanks again!

sunmaidliz · Sep 10, 2013

I've been let go from 2 nursing jobs back to back right before the three months probation was out. To be honest, I don't say I was fired. I say for the first job I was laid off and for the second, I say I moved. It's really no one's business what happened in your past job and your old boss can't say anything because then that's libel and you can sue. If pressed, I say I left because it wasn't a good fit. It's time to spin truthiness here. You know you can do a good job and that's what you need to focus on and that's what YOU need to make them focus on. And focus on doing the best job and avoid stupid mistakes once you are hired AND past your three months.

kagmc · Sep 14, 2013

How does one deal with questions about a short term job? I was fired after 6 months due to my facility's poor handling of a blood exposure I had, although I'm in negotiations with them now, I am looking for a job elsewhere. How do I address the inevitable question?

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Sep 16, 2013

To be honest, I don't say I was fired. I say for the first job I was laid off and for the second, I say I moved. It's really no one's business what happened in your past job and your old boss can't say anything because then that's libel and you can sue.

Actually, your old boss CAN tell others why you were let go: they can tell anyone anything about you as long as it's fact. So if you were fired, they can tell that--and why--to anyone calling to verify your employment, and it wouldn't be slander or libel.

Misskala · Sep 16, 2013

Actually, your old boss CAN tell others why you were let go: they can tell anyone anything about you as long as it's fact. So if you were fired, they can tell that--and why--to anyone calling to verify your employment, and it wouldn't be slander or libel.

Are you referring to what HR can and cannot say to a future employer? I thought it varied state-to-state, and certainly it is not a fact that HR dept. will reveal that you were fired, or that they even have the right to reveal work performance history. You can call your last employer's HR dept and ask them what they will tell a background check. My former employer cannot say that I was terminated---only the dates of my employment.

(some other post had a link for the state's HR policies on that....)

TrixieRN1 · Sep 16, 2013

I've been replying "yes" to the question "Have you ever been fired or asked to resign from a job?" when filling out on-line job apps because I was fired from my most recent job. I'm not going to lie about being fired. I think there's a good possibility that my on-line apps are being ruled out because of screening software. It smarts a bit to realize my work experience at two large hospital systems appears negated by "Do not pass go" in the on-line job apps arena. In the past, I've been very fortunate to be hired quickly when I've applied for jobs. I have good skills, I interview well, I have good references - I'm simply not receiving any interest from employers via on-line job apps. Seeking employment in a competitive field when you've been terminated from your job is a different realm from my prior job-search experiences. I'll press on and will find a suitable job.

Misskala · Sep 16, 2013

^I agree. I wish I had advice. I am in a similar situation, work-history-wise and terminated from last job d/t management changes...and I am applying online to hospitals again and cannot get past HR. Do you know anyone in a hospital who can recommend you to a manager? Then have the manager ask HR to see your application? That's one thing I have thought of.

JoI8815 · Feb 18, 2015

Hey I know I am super late with this threat. I was looking through similar threads to see how other nurses get past HR after putting they were fired on online applications. I was recently terminated after being physically assaulted by a patient. Wasn't the first time I was assaulted, but that particular time, I handled it unprofessionally by talking about the incident openly with the supervisor, and I said that the patient was ungrateful and had no right to put his hands on me. Well, the patient heard me and reported me to administration who then fired me (patient is always right) Although I learned from this, I would hate to go on a job interview and tell this messy story. I feel terrible. I've been putting "resigned" on my apps and I think a few recruiters wrote me off because of it. No clue what to do. How did putting you were fired work out for you?