Excerpted from From
Here to There by Larry Stuenkel
These questions
are similar to what you can expect during a real interview. Being
prepared will enable you to think on your feet.
The suggested replies, excerpted from From Here to There
by Larry Stuenkel, aren't intended to give you one correct answer.
Rather, the answers should reflect your personal frame of reference,
based on your motives, goals, work skills and aspirations. The replies
are meant to stimulate your thinking, not to be memorized.
Q: Why did you leave your last position?
If you were laid off, you may respond, "I am not leaving my position,
it left me." But you'll also need to clarify briefly the circumstances
surrounding your departure.
If you were part of a reduction in force and it was a large reduction,
then you could answer, "My position, along with 200 others, was
eliminated."
If your company has had a series of reductions over the last year,
try: "The organization has reduced staff for the last 2 years and
finally my position, along with 600 others, was eliminated and will
not be replaced."
Share the burden with others. Simply stating that you were laid
off or downsized does not tell the interviewer if you were the only
one let go or among several.
If you left for another reason, there are several strategies to
use. If you and your boss did not agree, take the bull by the horns
and respond, "My boss and I agreed to disagree. He won and I am
conducting a job search."
