4 ms·

In some sense, being fired when you were already interviewing may be a net advantage if it was a layoff with severance package, etc. Companies don’t owe you an

In some sense, being fired when you were already interviewing may be a net advantage if it was a layoff with severance package, etc. Companies don’t owe you anything if you quit, which you would have had to do if one of the other jobs made a quick offer.

throwaway78901 9y ago
Yep, financially I may end up better off in the short term, between the severance and unemployment. But it wasn't a layoff, it was a termination. So that is going to be a lot harder to deal with for explaining to future employers I would think.
- JamesVI 9y ago
  Your severance agreement probably includes a non-disparagement clause (you can't bad mouth the company after you sign). That clause should be mutual (they can't criticize you either in public or to a future employer). Even without that in place, most companies will do nothing more than confirm length of employment and (maybe) job title to avoid a law suite. When you apply for future jobs you are under no obligation to go into the details of your departure from this one. I wouldn't recommend lying, but you can certainly phrase it differently than "I got fired". Especially since you were already looking for other jobs, you can legitimately say that you felt the role was a poor fit and you started looking for something new.
  - JBlue42 9y ago
    >non-disparagement clause I've had to sign one of these to get cashed out after a company-wide lay off before. I ran it past a lawyer friend and he says they do not hold up in court. Saying that, there are plenty of ways to frame the situation without being overly negative about the former company or yourself.
- bjourne 9y ago
  In many jurisdictions there is a difference between being laid off and fired. Terminated can mean either so it's not a precise word to use. I have been laid off before and it is not a big deal. Being fired otoh is much worse because it implies misconduct.
- tonyedgecombe 9y ago
  I wouldn't make that distinction when talking to potential employers, the difference between layoff and termination is quite subjective.

throwaway78901 9y ago

Yep, financially I may end up better off in the short term, between the severance and unemployment. But it wasn't a layoff, it was a termination. So that is going to be a lot harder to deal with for explaining to future employers I would think.

JamesVI 9y ago
Your severance agreement probably includes a non-disparagement clause (you can't bad mouth the company after you sign). That clause should be mutual (they can't criticize you either in public or to a future employer). Even without that in place, most companies will do nothing more than confirm length of employment and (maybe) job title to avoid a law suite. When you apply for future jobs you are under no obligation to go into the details of your departure from this one. I wouldn't recommend lying, but you can certainly phrase it differently than "I got fired". Especially since you were already looking for other jobs, you can legitimately say that you felt the role was a poor fit and you started looking for something new.
- JBlue42 9y ago
  >non-disparagement clause I've had to sign one of these to get cashed out after a company-wide lay off before. I ran it past a lawyer friend and he says they do not hold up in court. Saying that, there are plenty of ways to frame the situation without being overly negative about the former company or yourself.
bjourne 9y ago
In many jurisdictions there is a difference between being laid off and fired. Terminated can mean either so it's not a precise word to use. I have been laid off before and it is not a big deal. Being fired otoh is much worse because it implies misconduct.
tonyedgecombe 9y ago
I wouldn't make that distinction when talking to potential employers, the difference between layoff and termination is quite subjective.