Terminated from second job, interview advice please!

bella14k · Feb 10, 2017

Post-interview anxiety and interview tips needed since resigning after 4 1/2 months.

bella14k · Feb 10, 2017

I have 2 years of experience from a M/S unit, and went to an ICU at another hospital. I was just about to come off orientation, and then I missed my fifth day of work. A few days later, I was terminated. I was able to resign (in lieu of termination), but now I have a job on my resume that says i've held this job for 4 1/2 months. I recently went on an interview, who actually said she knew my former manager where I was fired, which worries me. Overall, I think I did well in the interview. It was 4 days ago. I was informed by my friend that he received a call from HR at this hospital. I called my former manager who said she didn't get a call. I'm wondering, would HR call references if they were interested in giving me an offer? I think the manager said at the end of the interview that they may get back to me, and that a background check takes 2 weeks. Is this true? Do you think this means anything, that my reference was contacted?

Also, what should I say during the interview? I did have a few personal things going on, and honestly the place wasn't a great fit for me, but most would argue that I should've held the job until a found another one, which wasn't possible for me given the circumstances. People get hired after getting fired, there has to be hope, but most employers will be asking me about this in interviews, and it scares me. I have two interviews next week, any advice would be greatly appreciated. And please don't tell me I shouldn't have missed so much work, I understand it was a bad mistake.

Thanks! I have 2 years of experience from a M/S unit, and went to an ICU at another hospital. I was just about to come off orientation, and then I missed my fifth day of work. A few days later, I was terminated. I was able to resign (in lieu of termination), but now I have a job on my resume that says i've held this job for 4 1/2 months. I recently went on an interview, who actually said she knew my former manager where I was fired, which worries me. Overall, I think I did well in the interview. It was 4 days ago. I was informed by my friend that he received a call from HR at this hospital. I called my former manager who said she didn't get a call. I'm wondering, would HR call references if they were interested in giving me an offer? I think the manager said at the end of the interview that they may get back to me, and that a background check takes 2 weeks. Is this true? Do you think this means anything, that my reference was contacted?

Also, what should I say during the interview? I did have a few personal things going on, and honestly the place wasn't a great fit for me, but most would argue that I should've held the job until a found another one, which wasn't possible for me given the circumstances. People get hired after getting fired, there has to be hope, but most employers will be asking me about this in interviews, and it scares me. I have two interviews next week, any advice would be greatly appreciated. And please don't tell me I shouldn't have missed so much work, I understand it was a bad mistake.

Thanks! I have 2 years of experience from a M/S unit, and went to an ICU at another hospital. I was just about to come off orientation, and then I missed my fifth day of work. A few days later, I was terminated. I was able to resign (in lieu of termination), but now I have a job on my resume that says i've held this job for 4 1/2 months. I recently went on an interview, who actually said she knew my former manager where I was fired, which worries me. Overall, I think I did well in the interview. It was 4 days ago. I was informed by my friend that he received a call from HR at this hospital. I called my former manager who said she didn't get a call. I'm wondering, would HR call references if they were interested in giving me an offer? I think the manager said at the end of the interview that they may get back to me, and that a background check takes 2 weeks. Is this true? Do you think this means anything, that my reference was contacted?

Also, what should I say during the interview? I did have a few personal things going on, and honestly the place wasn't a great fit for me, but most would argue that I should've held the job until a found another one, which wasn't possible for me given the circumstances. People get hired after getting fired, there has to be hope, but most employers will be asking me about this in interviews, and it scares me. I have two interviews next week, any advice would be greatly appreciated. And please don't tell me I shouldn't have missed so much work, I understand it was a bad mistake.

Thanks!

oceanblue52 · Feb 10, 2017

If you are asked about why you left, keep personal details out of it and say it wasn't a good fit. Keep things positive and not too specific about your old job. Lots of great threads on this board, do some browsing for more specific examples.

aflahe00 · Feb 10, 2017

You can say you left for medical reasons and they legally cannot ask what for; or a private family matter..just examples. And you said you were able to resign? Perfect. Say nothing about being fired and for what u were fired for.

bella14k · Feb 10, 2017

If you are asked about why you left, keep personal details out of it and say it wasn't a good fit. Keep things positive and not too specific about your old job. Lots of great threads on this board, do some browsing for more specific examples.

Thanks for your response, and yes i've been searching around allnrses for different answers. I was wondering what you think about the interview I DID have as it was posted above...about HR contacting references? What do you think about that?

caliotter3 · Feb 10, 2017

If HR doesn't contact the references, then you expect the employer to hire you without checks? You are putting too much emphasis into how the hiring process occurs, instead of pursuing the hiring process with more than one employer, until you actually do get hired.

bella14k · Feb 10, 2017

If HR doesn't contact the references, then you expect the employer to hire you without checks? You are putting too much emphasis into how the hiring process occurs, instead of pursuing the hiring process with more than one employer, until you actually do get hired.

I realized that I need to edit my post because it looks like I entered my post twice in one post. Anyway, what I was trying to ask is would HR call references if they weren't interested? It's been 5 days (Monday was interview, today is Friday, right now it is only 1200pm), and they've called at least one reference, and I STILL haven't heard from them with an offer. I have 2 other interviews next week, but I still want to know that I can get an offer, so all i am asking is would HR bother calling references if they weren't intersted in giving me an offer? Also, would they conduct a background check before giving me an offer? I just want to see what people think, to give me a better idea of whether or not they wanted to give me an offer...that's all. As for everyone, thank you for your responses!

bella14k · Feb 11, 2017

And the reason i missed work is because my father was sick by the way but is recovering.

Career Columnist / Author · Feb 11, 2017

now I have a job on my resume that says i've held this job for 4 1/2 months.
Also, what should I say during the interview? I did have a few personal things going on, and honestly the place wasn't a great fit for me, but most would argue that I should've held the job until a found another one, which wasn't possible for me given the circumstances.
Thanks!

You have a strong resume ( 2 years Med Surg) as evidenced by landing interviews. They are definitely interested in you.

When asked about your short tenure, you simply say "It wasn't a good fit" and then segue to the positive "I look forward to putting my skills to work in an organization that's a good match for my values"

If specifically asked about your attendance (doubtful) then say " I had some family issues that are completely resolved now" Good luck!

bella14k · Feb 11, 2017

You have a strong resume ( 2 years Med Surg) as evidenced by landing interviews. They are definitely interested in you.
When asked about your short tenure, you simply say "It wasn't a good fit" and then segue to the positive "I look forward to putting my skills to work in an organization that's a good match for my values"
If specifically asked about your attendance (doubtful) then say " I had some family issues that are completely resolved now" Good luck!

Thank you, this was helpful.

Any other suggestions anyone?

crazin01 · Feb 16, 2017

If I knew from my reference they received a call, I'd think that's a good sign. They aren't going to waste time by calling references when your resume is on the 'definite No' pile.

If you allow the prospective employer to contact old employer, I believe that HR can only state you either are or are not re-hirable to them. (correct me if I'm wrong...not 100% sure!). However, most places see "not eligible for rehire" as a small red flag...

Best of luck for good news.