How To Talk About A Past Mistake In an Interview

Posted by in Career Advice




A few weeks ago, I posted a blog about how to get over your mistakes and move on. I was surprised by how many people had made mistakes in their past and felt that they would always have to live with the shadow of them. Each time they went on an interview, they had to talk about those mistakes and hope that the interviewer would be able to look past them. It's an awful feeling, and believe it or not, it's pretty common.



Of course, there are people who have never made a mistake in their careers or their lives - at least not ones that are so easily seen. They may have never been fired, or never have messed up so badly that they were fired. They could have worked at their job for years, never missed a day and never been written up for a mistake. These people do exist, but they aren't the majority. Most of us have done things that we aren't proud of at some point in their careers. It can happen to anyone. For example, I knew a woman who was a hard working property manager. She was in charge a a large number of rental homes, spread across three cities. She was a great employee and was happy with her job. One day, she had to handle an eviction. They are never pleasant, but in her line of work, they are not that uncommon. At some point in the process, she made a mistake and used the wrong address, which resulted in the wrong family getting evicted. It was a traumatic experience for the family. As you can imagine, the woman was fired from the property management company. Not only did she lose her job, she had a difficult time finding another job in property management.



Mistakes like these can be career destroying if you're not careful. So, how do you find another job after being fired for your mistake? Do you lie in the interview and say that you left the company? Would telling the truth cost you the job? It's hard to say, but lying is never a good idea and it will only make you look bad down the road. Let's say that my friend applied for a new job and didn't tell the employer about why she had left her last job. Later, when he finds out (and trust me, that kind of gossip would make it back to him), he would have a valid reason to fire her. Even if he chose to keep her on staff, he would always wonder about her honesty.



There's a better way. You can tell the truth and not ruin your chances for a job. Here's how to do it:



Take the blame - Even if you don't think that the mistake was entirely your fault. Accept the blame and admit that you made the mistake.



Tell the interviewer what happened as briefly as possible - It's tempting to tell your story in a way that would make the interviewer feel sorry for you. Don't do it. Instead, tell them what happened, from your boss's point of view, in as brief a story as you can. Take responsibility for what happened.



Mention what you learned from the experience - This shows that you've grown as a person. With the earlier example, the property manager could say that the mistake was caused by not double checking each time she wrote down the address. The situation reminded her of how important it is to be accurate and how what she does at work has a huge effect on other people's lives.



Don't sling mud - Even if the boss was a jerk who blew things out of proportion or it was caused by poor management, lack of support or other reasons, don't talk bad about the company that fired you. Even if all of those things are true, don't say them. Talking bad about a previous employer, no matter how much you think they deserve it, is never a good idea. It only makes you look bad and lessens your chances of getting the job. So, show that you are a professional and keep your negative remarks to yourself.



You can move on from a mistake, no matter how bad. We all make them and most of us have things in our work histories that we aren't proud of. Just remember to handle it with all the professionalism you have, and you'll be able to find a new job more easily.



Have you ever been fired from a job? How did you talk about it later, in interviews? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

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  • Naomie
    Naomie
    I went through a simailr experience a few years ago, but luckily I found a new positiion before my new manager could terminate me.When looking for work I focused on my skills, my good work performance and stressed that my current company was going in a different direction -- which on some level they were.But the experience of getting pushed out can be Earth-shattering on one's confidence.  Just convince yourself that good reviews aren't just given out.
  • Claudia J
    Claudia J
    after working for 11 years with walmart, they fired me for "Misconduct" after allegedly being in disagreement with my assessment and not to have signed. When asked to co manager he gave me no justifiable reasons then asked me to leave his office, later he called me and fired me claiming that i had broken a company policy to change a personal check. I was actually very upset that the check had been authorized by the store manager in the past and it had already been taken by the company. Obviously when he asked me to sign the dismissal i refused and decided to leave immediately and never came back. My mistake was not making my boss sign the authorization, so i couldn't defend what i was accusing.  
  • Melissa Kennedy
    Melissa Kennedy
    With so many people commenting, it's clear to see that making a mistake and getting fired (whether justified or not) happens to the best of us and you aren't alone. When it happens, it really sucks, but all you can do is move on and let go of the bitterness and anger. Showing that you can discuss the problem and that you can move on from your mistakes is what makes you a professional. Be honest, avoid slinging mud and you'll find that most employers will respect you for it.Thanks for all of the feedback!
  • ALISHA L
    ALISHA L
    I worked for this company for four years. I worked for a number of managers, and as an assistant manager I was frequently asked to do things "their" way instead of the company's way. One night my manager asked me and the other assistant manager to break policy. He stated that he got permission to do so by the DISTRICT MANAGER. The next morning there was there was an incident that caused the district manager to be contacted, and he stated that this request was never brought to his attention. I got "suspended" and then terminated for breaking policy even though ordered to do so by my direct manager. NEVER AGAIN.
  • AudyC
    AudyC
    I went through a similar experience a few years ago, but luckily I found a new position before my new manager could terminate me.When looking for work I focused on my skills, my good work performance and stressed that my current company was going in a different direction -- which on some level they were.But the experience of getting pushed out can be Earth-shattering on one's confidence.  Just convince yourself that good reviews aren't just given out.
  •  Elissa H
    Elissa H
    Excellent and realistic advice.
  • Angela T
    Angela T
    i was fired from a job i was at for four years, new manager came in, we got along okay but his problem with alcohol made him into a real ugly person, he turned my words around and used them against me. I have never been fired from a job and even now after four yrs it still bothers me.
  • Francis K
    Francis K
    Right off the bat, the prospective employer saw that there was a gap of employment and asked what it was and what happened. I told the interviewer I was not going to sugar coat the issue and explained the reason and didn't say anything bad about the company. I only said the circumstances and continued on with the interview. After the talk, we took a tour of the facility.
  • Mary L
    Mary L
    They told us at the unemployment office to never say we were fired but rather to say we were down sized. Do you think this is a good policy?
  • Cora M
    Cora M
    great advice. I have a question. What do you put on application for reason for leaving if you were fired? what is the best way to relay this on an application?
  • Dewhite B
    Dewhite B
    Well actually I was fired from a Job via a contract termination clause in a contract simply not being told why I was being fired.I simply had to move on. The first interview I went in I told them about what happened( me being fired)but I said my contract was terminated. I just could not say why as there was no rationale to do such to me. I had not been written to or told about any flaws that impacted my performance, in fact I had gone beyond my call of duty at the time.I now realized that I was fired possibly simply because I did not speak spanish which is the language of the parent company coupled with the fact that the Plant Manager resigned and left me in charge. Anyway the episode still stunned me but I have moved on. Thanks for the article anyway.
  • Terry S
    Terry S
    I witnessed sexual harassment in the workplace, debated going to management, but ultimately felt that management should be aware of what was going on in the department. The perpetrator lied, management accepted the lie of a 'chocolate kiss' and I was fired. I can't even look at Hershey's Chocolate Kisses without thinking of this person that lied.I was hired by another company a year ago, but laid off due to offshore outsourcing at the end of May 2012. Graphic design is now being outsourced overseas. I'm astounded. Though we live in a digital age that facilitates this, I still view it as slave labor for the underdeveloped countries that supposedly are enriched by the outsourcing of American jobs. And, what happens when not enough Americans are working? The corporations that have outsourced may find their business going under.I am wondering if it truly is not recommended that I refer to the sexual harassment that I witnessed if asked why I left that position.Ultimately, after seeing firsthand how management handled the sexual harassment issue, it seems best that I'm no longer with that company.
  • Marie D
    Marie D
    This is great I like it very, perfect timing, because I'm unemployed at the moment.Please keep them coming.
  • kim m
    kim m
    I have a question about the importance of using a cover letter. I already have placed an objective in my resume, is it necessary to provide a cover letter? Also how can I convince the company that I'm qualified but I can't get hired due to lack of experience. I only have my education and life experience to fall back on.
  •  ZL D
    ZL D
    I had been wondering how I was going to deal with this.....I just recently got fired about 2 months ago. It still bothers me. I was a resident assistant taking care of elderly women. Two mbrs of the staff felt that I was slow where I thought I was being thorough. I was simply taking care of them like they were my own mothers. I knew the women appreciated me because of it and they would always voice that....saying things like I sure am happy I have you today! I never said anything about their comments. Next thing I knew I was fired and told I needed classes in time management. I am grateful for the tips and will put them to use. I have to admit I was not sure how to move forward from this. Thank you.
  • Fred R
    Fred R
    I was an Asset Manager in charge of a portfolio of properties. The financing and quarterly profitability reports being sent to investors was erroneous at best and Bernie-Madoff-like at worst. I called out management to sign off on the reports before I would sign them. No one would and I was about to be fired, so I resigned immediately. Since the reason was clearly management's fault and I was being made the scapegoat for the problem , NYS unemployment had no problem giving me unemployment even though I was technically not laid off or fired. I explained this in this way to several interviewers and have gotten jobs since. Note that I explained the "END" in the exact same way each time.
  • Jason W
    Jason W
    Very indightful,I think it will help me in further interviews.thanks:)
  • rosemary c
    rosemary c
    I was fired from a job a year ago, I was a no call- no show.    Four months before I had put in for 1 vacation day, 2 months before I reminded her again before the new assignment came out, when assignment came out I was on the schedule to work the day I asked off (bought ticket), the day of the concert, I went.  What I learned is  I should have followed the schedule. Also my team mates worked extra because some one else called in per protocol.  It's been a year and suffering the consequence I will never forget for my mistake.
  • Mark N
    Mark N
    Interesting article.  Have a similar, current dilemma.  I was terminated from my last position based on some false, and/or twisted comments made.  I was charged with sexual harassment from an unknown co-worker-no opportunity to prove my innocence.Have inquired with many as to how to broach that subject in a positive manner-varied or no responses.  Any suggestions as to how to successful negotiate around such an explosive topic.  Any advice would be welcomed.
  • Lowell C
    Lowell C
    Tell the truth, especially if you like to sleep at night. Lies usually have a way of surfacing, and no one likes to constantly look over their shoulder, not to mention the embarassement when "found out".
  • ody U
    ody U
    Your Contributions was so good and well thought, but I would have loved you to talk to us a bit about questions you can ask prospective employers at interviews
  • Juanita S
    Juanita S
    I agree with this entire article, especially Don't sling mud because of poor management or lack of support.  I experienced this when I worked as a customer service representative and was forced to resign as a result of poor management.  But I do not say anything negative about the employer when I interview.  I just let them know that I resigned to accept new position, even though this is not the reason.  This is not being honest either, so I ask you what are some explanations that you could explain for resigning a position because of poor management?
  • RICHARD G
    RICHARD G
    VERY GOOD IDEAS. OWN UP--OBJECTIVELY! IF WE WERE PERFECT WE WOULD NOT BE LOOKING FOR A JOB!
  • Rosa c
    Rosa c
    I think that if a person wants to  work she/he should be given the opportunity to work and learn within the company. I have read resumes that are total lies. These employees don't come close to what they say they do, any get hired for a short period of time. Being honest is what count.
  • Shivalingam A
    Shivalingam A
    Good tips for advancement in one's career, if followed correctly.
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