Interviewer: Have you ever been let go from a job?
Kevin: Yes, I have been laid off from a job. I was laid off from the second company that I worked at after working there for 3 years.
Interviewer: Can you tell me what happened?
Kevin: The company I worked for was bought by another company. The two companies merged together, so there were a lot of redundancies. The company offered to keep me, but they wanted me to take a 20% salary cut. I refused to take the salary cut, and I was let go.
Interviewer: So, you weren’t let go for your performance or any disciplinary issues?
Kevin: No, I was not. My manager helped me find a new job and I still speak with him to this day. It was just one of those situations that couldn’t be avoided.
Interviewer: I completely understand.
Patterns and Examples
No, I have never ____________________.
- No, I have never been let go from a job.
- No, I have never been fired from a job.
Yes, I have. I was let go from my previous position because ____________________.
- Yes, I have. I was let go from my previous position because the company was having financial trouble and had to lay off half of the employees.
- Yes, I have. I was let go from my previous position because my company was acquired by another company, and that company outsourced my position.
Yes, I have. I was let go from ____________________ because ____________________.
- Yes, I have. I was let go from my previous job because my manager and I had many creative differences.
- Yes, I have. I was let go from my previous company because the company was downsizing.