To ask how to avoid mention I've been sacked in job interview today?

[ineedthisjob]

Posting here for traffic, sorry I just need advice!

I have worked as a receptionist/administrator my entire working life and a few months ago decided I wanted a change, I applied for and got a job as an estate agent.

I absolutely hated every second of it, the manager was horrid, the hours were too much, I only got 1 day off a week which was different to my partners so I never saw him. I got hit by pneumonia and had two weeks signed off by doctor and was full of fear to go back. I did, and they failed my probation for too much sick leave and not having the 'right kind of personality' for a sales role.

I have a job interview today at 5pm for another reception role, at a great place and I really want the job. I also need it as they ended my probation immediately meaning I've been unemployed for the past fortnight.

The CV I applied with for this role didn't have the estate agency role on, but obviously I need to mention in my interview when I finished at my last reception role as I left the end date blank and they would use them as a reference so would need dates. I just don't know how to explain what I've been doing for the past 2 months in a way that a) doesn't make me look utterly shit and 2) doesn't put them off hiring me for a reception role after trying to move away from it

Help

I would just say you tried estate agency but unfortunately due to catching pneumonia in the probabtion period and not enjoying the role you had a mutual parting of ways. You were not sacked as such they just let you go in your probation - to be sacked you need to have done something wrong and being sick or not suiting the role isn't wrong. I would go back to the estate agent for the future and get them to agree a mutual parting of ways scenario

oh deff turn into a positive.
so you were loving receptionist job which led you to want to try the sales side of things too.and yay you got the job.but very early on you realised this wasn't the job for you,you loved being in the administration side of things over sales.and much preferred clerical work etc etc.use buz words for rececptionist.(look up the lingo I have no idea lol)
so you then decided to do the job your best at and love.and it was great how you new this the instant you moved.it meant you new you found your neesh.
so this job seemed fate the perfect fit to how youd been feeling.and why you know youll be able to put everything into it.
I would lie about traveling.somehow it will come out.will someone say oh where.oh ive been there what did you do.oh my auntie lives there did you see her.etc etc.something odd like that or youll get job and boss will say later.soooooo you went traveling.....no no.dont lie it will snowball.

OP you could also use the phrasing "an opportunity arose to try my hand in a different field and I decided to explore it", implying the job came to you instead of saying you just fancied a change, if you're worried they might think you're still shopping for a new career path. Then go on to say as PPs suggested, that it confirmed that you're much happier doing this role, this is where your strengths lie, etc.

if they ask bout the gap.tell the truth.you got neaumonia.so had to take time off.and this actually led to the speed up of leaving anyway.or something similar.

You simply dont mention that job. 2 months is nothing when you have a whole CV behind you. You cover the gap with

(a) temping
(b) travelling
(c) a caring role but the person has now passed away/gone into a home
(d) get a friend with an own business and letter headed paper to cover the gap

I don’t think telling them that you don’t have the personality to be an estate agent is much of a negative..that would be a positive to me. Especially in a role like a receptionist where empathy and warmness are useful.

Be honest say you thought you wanted to try something new but it just didn't work out. You could say to them that because of the massive change in hours on top of the stress of the job caused you to fall ill. Most time employers will find any reason to end your employment before probation has finished if they think you don't suit the role. I very much doubt it will go against you. If anything you could turn it around and say your not afraid to try new things and take a leap of faith! Good luck

I don't know if you were sacked either. Did they offer to extend your probationary period. If so you can say that you left because the job wasn't for you. Say you understood it to be only a temporary position.

mightmucks well said.

You didn't get the sack, by mutual agreement you decided this wasn't the career for you!

I would be honest, if you are caught out lying you will automatically be out of the running and its very easy to catch people out.

I would be surprised if they don't ask about the gap but I would explain you took a role briefly as an estate agent but hated it and want to return to reception work which you've always enjoyed and your work there has ended as it was unsuitable. If pushed say you were tempted by the excitement but quickly learned it wasn't for you.

They also sound like a lousy employer too, not even giving a weeks notice.

Could you say it was temporary position

I think the fact that it was a totally different line of work means it's ok that it didn't work out. Explain that you tried it but it became clear that it wasn't for you, and say that you and your employer both felt that it wouldn't work in the long term. Talk about how it really brought home how much reception work is what you enjoy and want to do.

Don't listen to PPs who have suggested you lie, terrible advice!

All sound advice from PP, I just wanted to wish you good luck!

State the company went under restructuring and your role was made redundant.

As for the gaps. Simply say you were seeking a new role.

Family time etc.

Loads to say. Not a big deal.

The OP's interview was in March. Zombie thread.

“Could you say you travelled or something for a couple of months to visit family abroad?”

Terrible idea