(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

O.T. Job interview questions

I

IA Roy

Well-known Member
I just got downsized from an engineering job since the economic conditions have hit the construction equipment business like a box of rocks. I did Manufacturing Engineering and provided solutions to manufacturing problems. Everything that I was working on would cost money to implement and no money was allocated to improve things this year. Speeding up production was no longer required.
A couple of jobs ago, I was "Terminated". I must admit that there were faults on both sides of the table and there were a large number of issues involved.
What is a good way to answer the question of why were you terminated?
 
Sometimes you can't reconcile something like that in your work history, previous employer, might just leave it out, or at least contact info for reference, brief mention of it if need be, it's better to illustrate your education/experience and what your strong points are, most recent experience things you are experienced at, capable of, ability to adapt, versatility, the way things are now, lot of competition out there, negative things just take up space where better things should be put. Employers have people over a barrel right now, one bad reference or negative remark, in the trash and onto the next person.
 
Get a job any kind of work its always easier to get a good job if you are working somehow people don't want to hire an out of work person.
Walt
 
As a former manager in manufacturing, I say be straight up with reasons, and if any is negative be prepared for an honest explanation of what you learned hindsight. If it comes up, be honest, if it doesnt come up, better left alone.
 
I would agree with Dave. I've been an engineer for about 30 years, and have changed jobs in this company probably a dozen times as projects get completed. As an engineer, you understand that if there is a problem, you need to fix the problem and apply corrective action to the process to keep it from occuring. Your previous termination should be treated the same way. What did you do wrong, and how will you keep from doing it wrong in the future. And if your employer did something wrong, explain that and how you attempted to either work around the problem or correct it. And if your prospective employer asks for your previous employer's reason for terminating you (his perspective), it's important that you present your previous employer's reason fairly, even if you don't agree with it or don't like the guy. If a company is going to hire you as an engineer, they are looking for someone who is rational and objective, and you need to make them confident that you can be that person.
 
I went through a similar experience and was glad in hind sight that I was candid about it. Employers are often interested in how you handle adversity as they are about your other personal characteristics. Compared to a generation ago, I think most HR people are interested to see how you stack up as a human being. It's not so much about the conflict as it is as far as dealing and learning from it.
I've seen over and over where somebody who had a fantastic skill set had to be let go because they could not figure out how to get along with co-workers or customers.
 
As one who asks that question, I know what differences of opinions can do to your morale and those of your managers and your co workers.
Best answer I have heard was the one that the prospect stated he became frustrated because inovation moved at a snails pace while he wanted to be a jack rabbit. He said his personal morale was starting to effect the morale of those around him. He was honest with his old employer about the situation, and in turn was terminated. He said he has since learned the moral of the story of the tortise and the hare. I gave him a shot and he worked out quite well. DO NOT LIE on your application. Some employers do EXTENSIVE background checks, and it will bite you
 
Some times you just tell your prospective employer the truth no matter the circumstances.

Back in the early 80's I worked as a production foreman in a roofing mill.

After "swing" shift ended at 11:30pm, a co-worker and I bought some beer, rode out to the lake in my 58 Corvette, and drove into a public boat ramp and stopped.

Well it turned out that the truck I parked near was occupied by my boss and the boss's secretary.

Boss was 54 and married at the time and was an old fool.

Secretary was 26 and married at the time and was just a plain fool.

Since I had the only 58 Corvette in town, it didn't take these two fools long to figure out who had caught them committing adultery.

Two weeks after the late night [b:654c4848f0]Coitus Interruptus[/b:654c4848f0] episode at the lake, I was called to the HR office.

Long story short I got fired.

I made two telephone calls; one to the boss's wife and the other to the secretary's husband.

Just one of many reasons not to drink and drive.
 
After some thought, I would advise another career. Manufacturing is a dead end. Why get beat up, go from job to job? Sounds like you have already bounced around a bit. And if you are 40 or especially 50+, you might never get another full time, permanent job. And if a good engineering job opens up, you can always go back.
 
Yes the Boss was an old fool..for trying out New Math at his age...54 doesn"t go into 26 very many times. Yet, I confess to having tried the New Math myself, a couple years ago. I had no wife to interrupt my lessons....but even so, 49 did not go into 35 nearly as many times as I would have liked. However, for a fact..New Math does work...on a limited basis anyway, hehe!
 
Do you have a BS in Engineering, or higher? If so, why not consider becoming a consultant? A lot of companies are willing to look outside the box and hire an outside party to search and find solutions to internal problems.

If you're an 'Engineer' on the order of Sanitation Engineer.....find a new truck to follow....or retire if possible.
 
I would call it "creative differences". I"ve been a corporate recruiter in Silicon Valley for many years. "creative differences" is the most used reply to why a person was terminated.

Unless there was another reason that is more serious - then you"re up a creek.
 
Tell any story that makes you look good. Most big companys nowdays will only verify the dates a person worked for them when contacted about a former employee. They are terrified of a slander or EEOC lawsuit.
Also, in the big companys, the turnover rate is so high that if it has been a few years, no one in management will still be there when you were. Pete
 
The truth is the most respectful way of getting a job. It has the ability, and opportunity to show your honesty and character to the prospective employer.

Things like this are quite desirable and will gain attention.
 

Ya,if you are out of work and looking,take the first job offered(within reason) and keep looking.

I am retired now and out of the job market.

steveormary
 
buzz around here is something will happen tomorrow. Keeping fingers crossed this one will be very hard to replace in a good econ.

Best way to be on that question is honest but try to chalk it up as a "learning" experience in a positive light. Unless you really did something bad or stupid (other than inexperience stupid), then I would avoid it at all cost.
 
The best thing to say if you can is: "My company is laying off X number of people and my job will be gone in 30 days, due to lack of funds for new programs" Dont say that you are laid off unless they know you are. Dont make it look like you are a problem person and that you are being proactive in looking early.
 
The best thing to say if you can is: "My company is laying off X number of people and my job will be gone in 30 days, due to lack of funds for new programs" Dont say that you are laid off unless they know you are. Dont make it look like you are a problem person and that you are being proactive in looking early.
 
The way it is nowadays, your previous company can pretty much only say that you worked there from date_x to date_y. If they get into too much detail they could be sued.

This is what I've been hearing from HR types lately, I try to stay as far away from that stuff as possible.
 
I would repeat the first sentance of your post.

"I just got downsized from an engineering job since the economic conditions have hit the construction equipment business like a box of rocks"
 
I agree. I have hired a few people, and most of the time I am more worried about how the person is as a human, and less about their skills. I asked one guy " how do you handle working with difficult people?" The guy, in his 40's, said "I have never really had any conflicts" Now, come on. If he cant think of any conflicts, just say you cant think of any off hand,but to say you have NEVER had any conflicts is just bull....
 
Matt, if they add that "He is no longer eligible for employment here," That is code words for TERMINATED, and is a HUGE black mark against you in any negotiation with future employers. Wife was marked for termination a few years back. Were closing her department and she was a long term employee (translate expensive). Well, they watched her like a hawk, documented three errors in her performance, and "There's the door - we don't care if it bangs you on the way out." That way they go rid of her, and not have to pay unemployment, etc. Yes, she made errors, show me anyone who doesn't! Was two years before she could find any other employment in her field. Interestingly the new boss they brought in to terminate workers got hers a little later. "No longer eligible" - key words for you're toast!
 
I can tell you what not to do: Don't badmouth your former employer. It doesn't matter whether it's true or not, a prospective employer doesn't want to hear that. After all, It's only reasonable that they expect you to say the same about THEM in the future.

A reasonably intelligent interviewer will smell a lie. Unless, of course, you're a pathological liar in which case you wouldn't have bothered asking. So try to be straight-up if you can. If you made a mistake and learned from it, that's a better recommendation than if you appear to be unwilling to admit you screwed up.

Most employers will not say anything about your employment history other than to confirm when you worked for them. So it's really up to you as to what you say. Just remember that your integrity is the most valuable property you own and possibly the most important commodity you have to offer an employer.
 
This time you were laid off because of lack of work, that's not a mark against you. Most likely the reason for leaving the other job won't come up. Don't raise the subject unless they do, but if it does come up just say something neutral like the job they wanted you to do was a bad match for the skills you had at the time. Then move the conversation on to what you're good at.
 
Up here in Alberta, they have the freedom of information and privacy act. An employer who gives out any info about your employment without a written consent from yourself can be charged. They can't even say that you worked there. An example of why this is a good idea: A person is in a very abusive relationship and decides to get out of it. The other person starts stalking them and trying to find out if they still work at the same place or somewhere else. A good reason for looking for another job is because of cut backs or because you wanted a change. You think the company that you're applying at looks like a good place to work. Dave
 
Someone not happy with your previous post?,Some politicans may have called in a favour.so here's your job.. Off to Washington to sell your idea..
 
The way it is nowadays, your previous company can pretty much only say that you worked there from date_x to date_y. If they get into too much detail they could be sued.

=================================================

You can be sued for anything - even giving the dates of employment or for just answering the call. As long as the previous employer is FACTUAL and TRUTHFUL the lawsuit will not have merit and SHOULD be dismissed.

If we fire someone for stealing or for not showing up for work we tell the prospective employer. What I can't believe is how few referances we get called on. We had over hundred employees leave last year - and maybe had two or three calls.
 
Dont say that you are laid off unless they know you are.


I would advise against that, especially in a higher position like an engineer. Any company worth a d*** will call the previous employer and catch you in that lie. They may not know it when they interview you, but they will know you lied if they seriously consider you.
 
These lawsuits all stemmed from a worker that applied to a new employer. Old employer gave him a good reference, and the new company hired him based on the good reference. Worker turned out to be a slug, and so new employer sued old employer and somehow won. Now the entire continent is tight-lipped about previous employees.
 
No, I did not go "Postal". I won't even pretend that I wanted to!

Thank you for all the suggestions. I think I can put together a good truthful response to the question of termination from your responses.

I never claimed the title "Engineer". That is what the employers called my position. Just a 2 year degree with several decades of On the Job Training, mostly from the school of hard knocks.

I should have found a different job long before "T" day, but the commute was too easy. We had moved the kids to the area schools, and didn't want to move them again. After more than a decade, we kinda got into a rut, comfortable or not.

In the several years before I was terminated, my 2 previous supervisors were also terminated, and one of them was one of the Vice Presidents. I wonder if the problem is higher up? Ha, Ha.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
Call out to David G: Plus reasoning for CRP View!!
Replies
15
Views
1K
Leroy
L
YTSupport
The Greatest generation
Replies
10
Views
6K
casenut1
C
N
Engineering triumphs post revisited...sort of...
Replies
16
Views
2K
Rick Kr
R
B
First a 1370 Love Story! .. and Then a LOT Of Questions!
2
Replies
27
Views
4K
Robert Martin NE ARK
R
J
DOT safety or money (very long post)
Replies
17
Views
7K
mkirsch
M
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top