4

I am working as System Analyst in small scale company but my company lay off many of its employees, including me, because some clients left the company.

Now I have started hunting for jobs, but if recruiters ask me for the reason behind leaving my job then is it OK to say real reason?

Improve this question
1
  • 1
    Remember, being laid off does not reflect poorly on you, especially if a lot of other people were laid off at the same time. There is a big difference between being laid off and being fired.
    – David K
    Commented Feb 8, 2018 at 20:39

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
8

Recruiter: Why did you leave the company?
You: I was laid off. The company ran into financial issues.
Recruiter: What sort of issues?
You: You'd have to ask them.
Recruiter: Did they lay off a lot of staff?
You: A number. Now if you don't mind let's discuss the position you contacted me about.

Recruiters always want to know more. What few people seem to remember is that "it's none of your business" is a valid answer.

In this case revealing the truth is not detrimental to you, however avoid going into details. It's a little too much like gossiping.

Improve this answer
10
  • but sir it seems little harsh?
    – XORG_99
    Commented Feb 8, 2018 at 18:49
  • 1
    @ChetanChaudhari what's harsh about it? It's not really any of their business, and lying is a lot harsher and just reminding them that it doesn't matter.
    – Erik
    Commented Feb 8, 2018 at 18:53
  • 2
    You should always be up front with how many people were laid off or that you were the newest / most junior person on the team. Hiring managers might otherwise suspect they cut the fat first. The script you suggest would feel like pulling teeth to me and I'd wonder if the candidate was hiding something. I assume you worded it like that to show that you don't want to go into the former company's business but that's not how it comes across to me.
    – Lilienthal ♦
    Commented Feb 8, 2018 at 18:57
  • 2
    I prefer "I'm sorry, but I wouldn't feel right sharing that" over "It's none of your business." It is important to show some tact and demonstrate that you won't be a PITA to work with if you get the job. I'm reminded of that famous quote from the Dude in The Big Lebowski, "You're not wrong Walter. You're just an asshole."
    – Lumberjack
    Commented Feb 8, 2018 at 20:33
  • 1
    "Now if you don't mind..." sounds very much like fake politeness sending the message of "I don't care what you want, I'm done talking about this". You can get the same effect without the negative tone by just actually changing the subject instead of stating that you want to change the subject. "Can we talk about..." would be somewhere between those two.
    – Bernhard Barker
    Commented Feb 8, 2018 at 20:37
-1

Why not just say that your company had some financial restructuring and your position is no longer in need at the moment?

This should solidify your position and reason as to what happened without giving too much information.

Improve this answer
2
  • 2
    This doesn't really answer the question does it?
    – Neo
    Commented Feb 8, 2018 at 19:46
  • 1
    Why wouldn't it? Can you provide your reasons? OP was asking if he can say the real reason to the recruiter and I gave him another option than the first answer (which he already accepted). There's no need to say the real reason. IMO, conveying that his company was restructuring is enough.
    – Isaiah3015
    Commented Feb 8, 2018 at 22:55

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .