The Pink Slip

If you've ever been fired, downsized, rightsized, let go, released, (whatever word you wish to affix to this event), perhaps you still remember the day it happened. Maybe you remember that day like it was yesterday, even though months, days, or years have passed.

Listed below are three specific examples my clients have shared recently regarding news of their employment termination:

1. ...on vacation and read Urgent Message in the subject line of an e-mail. The message stated that upon my return from vacation, a severance package would be provided; changing market conditions necessitated such action.

2. ...received a registered letter via U.S. mail announcing that on such-and-such a date, my position would be eliminated due to territory realignment.

3. ...voice message from my boss relaying that some changes were in the works and that my services were no longer needed.

No matter how you discover that you are now a free agent, do yourself a favor and come up with the line that best explains to prospective employers, recruiters, professional networks, and Uncle Dan why you're in transition. Once you have figured out what you want to say, practice, practice, practice your lines until you get comfortable with your words. A few simple tips to get you started:

• keep your explanation brief; avoid negative-sounding words.
• after you say the thing, stop talking, as the more you talk, the more questions you'll be asked about the thing.
• end your explanation on a positive note; do not lie.
• say your lines with clarity, credibility, and conviction.
• do not reveal too much information (TMI); it's an interview, not a therapy session.

If you simply cannot figure out what to say, or how to say it, find someone you trust to help you. Even if you have to pay someone to help you, it's well worth it. After you have practiced your lines several times, hopefully, you will feel more comfortable about dealing with the pink slip subject matter.

posted by: billiesucher

Comments

[RecruiterGuy]

Terrific tip!
A few weeks ago I started putting together a list of great hints/tips for active job seekers to use when "in transition." This is so often a small tip that really gets missed but that can make all the difference in an interview.

[Rick Saia]

Fortunately, whenever I have lost a job, the termination was conducted face to face. Unless you work remotely (where it can be done over the phone), there's just no excuse whatsoever for terminating an employee via a note or voice mail. That's just cowardly on the part of management and builds a sense of bitterness that can spread and may affect the company adversely.

Having said that, if you believe your termination was unfair and left you bitter and angry, you need to collect yourself and - at best - just present the facts to prospective employers when you're interviewed. For example, you can say something like this: "I had some philosophical differences with my boss and he felt that we couldn't work well together, so he let me go. I didn't think his reasoning was sufficient, but he made up his mind and so, I moved on. But in looking back, I'm happy with what I accomplished in that position, which included ..."

This type of response reflects the five bullet points in Billie's post. The response is brief, factual, explains your side of the story without your getting emotional, and ends with a positive spin about what you accomplished and how the experience added to your list of accomplishments.

[Larry Lehmer]

I guess I've been lucky. I've lost two jobs in my career and each time led to something better. The first time came in college when I lost a full-time job with the railroad. Being a union guy, I collected unemployment for doing nothing for a few weeks before starting what became a rewarding and lengthy career in journalism. The second time came in the service. When I returned from leave, I found a (higher ranking) friend sitting at my desk. My boss gave me the green light to find whatever job I liked in the maintenance complex. So, instead of briefing a bunch of nitpicking colonels and generals each morning, I spent the rest of my career working mainly with civilians while anonymously tracking down parts to fix broken airplanes. It was great. Although I've never had to explain either situation to prospective employers, I was always ready to use them as examples of my resiliency and resourcefulness.

[billiesucher]

Recruiter Guy, feel free to use this tip in your list; you never know who it might help. Rick, thanks for sharing an example -- a good addition for readers. And Larry, as always, appreciate your comment, especially how job loss led to something better. That's exactly how I feel too! Thanks so much to each of your for thoughtful posts.

[Social Networking Designer]

Thanks for the tip..it can be really awkward when a prospective employer asks you why you were in transition.. I also agree with Rick that matters like these should never be done thru phone, mail, or note. The employer must be professional enough to talk to the employee personally.

[billiesucher]

SND, your words "it can be really awkward when a prospective employer asks you why you were in transition" -- I counsel my clients to bring up the transition topic at the very beginning of the interview. Often a candidate is asked "Tell Me About Yourself" to get the meeting started...this is an excellent opportunity for the candidate to offer an explanation of why they are in transition to wrap up the TMAY question. That way, it's "out of the way" and the candidate can focus on "present/future" type of dialogue versus dwelling on the "past". Thanks for reading Career Hub and taking time to post a comment.