What do I do if I’ve been fired has become the most frequently asked question I get asked weekly here at Interview Chatter. The question is usually written in a comment on my most popular post, So You’ve Been Fired. I thought I would take a moment a restate some of my recommendations to people who have been fired.

My Recommendations:

1. BE Honest, Don’t Lie - I can not stress this first point. If you have been terminated from your employer for cause or without cause, you are facing a rather large hurdle. Dishonesty on your resume or application, will only make scaling the hurdle more difficult.

2. If they ask you directly, “Have you ever been fired?”, the answer is “YES” in a word. My point here is, don’t try to skirt the issue. If they ask you directly, answer directly and then follow-up.

3. If you have been fired, and you admit you have been fired, you may be screened out. Be prepared. There is nothing you can do about it. What you can do is continue to move forward in your job search. Every hiring manager gets to decide who they will interview and offer a position. You can not control them. Don’t let it frustrate you. Move on to the next potential opportunity.

4. Choose out of “Shame and Blame”. No matter whose fault it is. Choose your ATTITUDE. How you respond to a termination, just or unjust will be one factor that will determine how long you spend in your job search. Savvy hiring managers can smell a bad attitude. They can sense when you are carrying baggage into the interview. Get your emotions in check. Choose out of frustration and choose to see your great potential.

More to come on this topic. In the meantime, please feel free to scroll down and leave a comment. How can I help you navigate the turbulent waters around terminations?

What in the world is the WOW Factor? I think I know, but I don’t want to assume, so I did a little bit of research. Here are some things to consider when defining the WOW Factor.

WOW by definition means to excite to enthusiastic admiration or approval. Here’s my definition for those of you looking for the WOW Factor in your next job interview - exceeding the expectations, specifically when you are exchanging information, and communicating with the interviewer about your skills and abilities. WOW!

Here are the WOW Factors for the Job Interview:

1. Tell them a little bit about yourself

2. Be knowledgeable about the organization, the industry and the job

3. Speak well about your previous employer

4. Know who you are and what you will bring to the table - their organization

5. Be prepared

6. Be on time

7. Ask well thought out questions about the organization, the industry and the job

8. Follow-up with a thank you note

9. Be the best candidate for the job

10. Be enthusiastic

11. Relax and enjoy the conversation

12. Use powerful words when describing your skills and abilities

13. Be candid

14. Be in alignment with what your resume and cover letter say about you

15. Be honest

16. Be confident

I have intentionally given you a list without explanations. Many of these WOW Factors are really self explanatory, but if you do have questions, please leave a comment. I am happy to discuss the WOW Factors for your specific interview. Also, I have included links for some items that will give you more of what I am trying to say. Let me leave you with this thought - Be Unstoppable! You have more to do with whether you get a job offer than the hiring manager sitting across the table from you. Your preparation will take you a long way in out performing other candidates. Invest time in preparing for each interview and you will find that you get more job offers than you have ever received in the past. My favorite book, 101 Great Answers to the Toughest Interview Questions by Ron Fry, will help you in your preparation! I wish you well!!

Image Credit: Chicago Helicopter Tours