Posted on 03/26/2019 5:56:29 AM PDT by NewJerseyJoe
Need some advice....
Background: starting in September 2018, I was working at a multinational pharma company in central New Jersey. It was a well-paid contract position through a staffing agency. I had learned quickly, was doing good work, and had already contributed substantive improvements to streamline their review process.
On Friday (3/15), I was off on a (pre-approved) vacation day. After the close of business hours, I received a phone message and an email from my agency -- telling me that my contract had been terminated. I asked why and was told that they didn't know the reason, only that my contract was terminated as of that day, and that I was not to return to the company campus.
As I said, I'd been doing good work. And I had done nothing wrong on the job. My only theory is that the department head didn't realize that I had been on vacation (which, as I said, was approved, and I had notified everyone on the team) and just decided to fire me because I wasn't there that day. (I can't prove that; it's just a hunch from knowing the person.)
In New Jersey, as in many other states, employment is "at will" -- a worker can be let go at any time, for any reason (except for illegal things, like racism, and unless there is a contract that specifically spells out otherwise). So my only recourse is to move on.
Though I'm still in a state of shock, I've accepted that I'm probably never going to find out why I was let go. But going forward, I need to give future interviewers a better answer than "I don't know" when asked why I was let go from my previous job.
Any advice on what I can say in interviews? Thanks, folks.
PS: my unemployment claim was denied, so I'm in somewhat of a state of panic.
Add a life long contractor I read your pay and immediately thought you did something wrong.
The agency knows what that is but agency policy is usually to keep it quiet. The reasons vary.
The agency will likely call you back but is key now to show them that you are both not emotionally crippled by it, but that you also will turn over a new leaf and change whatever aspects about yourself that you can identify. Seek out others to help you identify.
This. People would be amazed at how low the standards have become. "I'm not a complete jerk, am fairly punctual, and drug-free" will get you into most places.
I was hiring an entry level person a few years back. We had a long list..."Absolute Requirements. Nice-to-haves. Would be great if..."
We wound up with "Must show up to the interview on time and not curse at us." I'm drop-dead serious. We finally wound up hiring a relative of the owner, just couldn't find anyone.
Then the recession of 2008 hit, and the job pool expanded. Better candidates were easier to find. But until then.... I've got some great stories.
Do you still have contact with anyone ‘on the team’?
Will they give you any idea as to why you were let go?
I like the advice others are giving you...just tell prospective employers that you fulfilled the contract.
Keep it simple. Tell the truth:
“It was a six month contract.”
That is the best thing, next to getting the He!! out of New Jersey. Not kidding.
It is the truth.
Do you know if your agency sent someone to replace you or not?
Depending on the state you might or might not have enough credits to file for unemployment.
Now, as someone who temped for a number of years I am going to give you some advice. Never take in and leave your coffee cup. Don't do it. No matter how long you have been there. No matter how much they like you, the contract will be terminated with in two days.
I don't know if they view it as you are being presumptuous or what but it happened to me three times. So always take your stuff with you at the end of the day.
Oh, and sign up with a bunch of temping places. It insures that you cover more companies in your area.
Sorry for the hardship for you. Godspeed.
I sympathize. Layoffs are never pretty, but you have to remember that you leave with your skills. They are left with a hole, where those skills used to be.
As an engineer, I was laid off four times. The final when I was 62 and I took full retirement. Worked as a government contractor for another 5 1/2 years and then laid off the workaday world and never looked back. It is a wonderful feeling not to have that threat and fear of layoff perched on your shoulder.
It is especially tough now, as a white, heterosexual, Christian male.
Did you write any posts dissing or telling any unpleasant truths about big pharma? Maybe they “follow” their employees.
You were not a part of configuring that contract, or determining its clauses, etc. You were merely the product being sold, or rented.
As far as what answer you should give, I would just say the contract was completed. Being an employee of a staffing company, most interviewers wil accept that answer (speaking from experience).
Good advice.
It was a business decision not a personal one. Husband worked for huge company in NJ as mgmt employee. Let go same day no notice. Also happened in March. Yes got severance and unemployment. Contract employees are the bottom of the food chain.
First off, give up the pity party. Going around with your tail between your legs is going to show. You need to go find another job. And to do that you can't look like you've been dumped on. You need a positive attitude.
You weren't fired if you were an independent contractor. Your contract wasn't extended.
Nobody cares why your contract was not extended except you. And you will probably never know why. So drop it. Just say your contract was not extended for budget reasons. Who cares?
You don't get unemployment benefits because you weren't an employee. You want those kind of benefits, then you need to actually get a job as an employee instead as an independent contractor.
Dance lightly on your feet and get out there looking again. Work your networks. Polish your resume. Practice being upbeat and positive so when the time comes in an interview, you don't come across as strained or unenthusiastic.
Losing a job is not the end of the world. I've lost my share of jobs, even been fired a couple of times. No biggie. I always looked at it as an opportunity to find a better deal. Because there is no other way to look at it.
Be prepared to take less than what you want and take a job you might not want to make a career of. It can keep you working and pay some bills while you continue to look for a better position. Most important, in puts you back in the saddle again.
Move out of New Jersey. I say this tongue-in-cheek but broadening your horizons can lead to better opportunities that you didn't know existed in other locales.
Get up everyday, shower, dress like you have a job to get to. Because you do. Your new job is to find another job.
Been there, done that. I say these things from experience. I've had lots of jobs and moved around a lot in my seven decades. It never gets easier but that's life. Good luck.
Well what was odd I guess it was anyone say 40+ got the layoff..
“First off, give up the pity party. Going around with your tail between your legs is going to show. “
This is important. Drill into yourself that this wasn’t your fault. It had nothing to do with you. The contract was ended. Period. Nothing else needs to be said. Do NOT get defensive or try to justify.
Don’t worry about it. It happens to everyone. I know from experience that it is very hard not to take it personally. Just let it go and move on. The past is past. Positive attituded and move forward. I know right now that is hard. But work on it.
Exactly...never allow the job to define you! You rent your skills to them. When you leave, you take those skills with you!
“Grow up and move on?” That’s a mean response.
The same happened to me not long ago; take heart that old employers don’t share much with new ones and YOU are in control of the narrative.
In my case what I did was reached out to a colleague who wrote me a stunning recommendation letter.
I, too, was never told what had happened or why I was let go, and I was devastated.
Contract people don’t get unemployment benefits.
What do you think you will tell prospective employer that are were a contract person who worked 6 months.
I’ve been in situations where there was a staff meeting, and half the contractors were called on their way home and told it was their last day.
It’s part of contractor life. If the staffing company didn’t receive anything derogatory regarding your being let go, you’re golden: the contract ended.
Send email to your boss’s boss
Since you’re a contract employee working for another agency that leases you out, just tell your future interviewer that your contract expired.
A certain indicator your past employer says you were fired for cause.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.