What should I say?

Denno666

I was let go from my first job a few months ago (I was there for 7 months) and I was wondering what I should put on application forms (if asked) and at interviews. I had made a mistake the week before (sent a request for a reference to the wrong place), but was told that although I shouldn't have done it to put it down to experience and I thought that was that. Then about a week later he told me he was letting me go because he wanted someone more experienced, although he then preceded to ramble on and was quite vague and I'm presuming it was really because of this mistake.
My family have all said don't say you were fired or that it was because of inexperience as this sounds really bad - say the hours were too irregular and not enough for a young person who wants a career, not just a few hours; that you wanted to work with others and not by yourself all the time; all of this being true btw.
So do I tell the straightforward truth, or do I skirt round the issue and say the reasons my folks say, which means that I imply that I chose to leave?

ohreally

Whatever you declare you need to ensure any reference provided to a prospective employer doesn't contradict your statement.

Takeaway_Addict

agree with the above, ask the employer if they will give you a reference and what it will say?

Denno666

I asked for a reference a while ago to give to an agency when signing up with them (I now know/have been told that this was a mistake as a ref is only needed when you have an interview lined up, and then they are the ones who would request a ref from my ex-boss). He emailed me one back and it basically said: the dates of my employment, the title of my job, and a sentence saying what my duties were.

Then there was also one sentence saying (complete with spelling mistakes): 'excelled in typing reports high-lighting where she wanted me to check to confirm she hard herd the dictation correctly.'

It doesn't exactly explain it very well - I typed up the audio dictation and highlighted bits that had been missed out (sometimes whole sections) and when there was technical jargon or names of companies, etc. that I wanted him to check before sending.

I am guessing that if requested to provide a ref again, he would probably use the same one.

asdf1982

should be fine then. def dont say you were fired, just say there were no prospects etc you want to work for a large company with a chance for advancement. Think of something that doesnt make you sound difficult (i wouldnt say that hours thing, you want to appear flexible)

Denno666

Thanks for the replies everyone

ditzyat50

Rather than mention being fired, perhaps you could say you were made redundant? Say something along the lines of your work load had reduced and you were let go.

Denno666

If I say I was made redundant, is there any way that somebody could find out that I wasn't though?

jobbingmusician

Since you weren't there 2 years, you wouldn't have been entitled to a redundancy payment, and it's very unlikely you would have been made redundant as employers can dismiss at will within the first 2 years. Just say they were cutting back on staff (true, as they cut back on you!)

Denno666

Thanks for the suggestion, but I'm not sure how much it will stand up as I was the only employee. I'm probably making a mountain out of a molehill but it was my first job and kind of knocked my confidence a bit.

Denno666

Just to let you know, I've applied for a job and put down job requirements changed and no scope for progression, both of which are true but sound better than I'm not really sure other than my boss decided he wanted somebody with more experience.