Just been sacked for the first time ever after a funeral

[PrueD]

On Monday I was at a funeral and yesterday I was off on compassionate leave. When I returned today the director sacked me. Been there 9 months.

Before now, I hadn’t been made aware of any issues in my one to ones, the last one being a week and a half ago. I had told my manager a month ago about my terminally ill relative. It was harder to work at my usual capacity at this time but I was still doing a good job on important projects. The main problem I had was they kept piling on more work on top of existing work.

I said I would’ve liked the chance to address any issues and they said they don’t have capacity to support and that’s it. I’m in shock, having an awful week as it is.

I really wouldn't work out an excuse. If pressed at interview just say there was restructuring going on.

I'd definitely go for the "successfully delivered 2 projects" approach. Recruiters will always look for potential "good hires" ie employees who get the job done, right attitude, and look like they will fit in with the company culture. Unkind as it may sound, given the choice between two candidates, they may read more into "not a good culture fit" as that can mean so many things. Good candidates often get sifted out of a pile of job applications because the recruiter is looking for best fit and if they have a good choice of applicants, they may home in on anything that they deem to be a block/red flag/concern - whatever you want to call it.
HOWEVER! If you get shortlisted and invited for interview it's much easier to have that conversation face to face and be more clear about what you value in an employer as well as what you bring too.
As far as job seeking is concerned, some candidates are unconcerned about company culture and will just go for job fit/good package etc. I'm guessing that cultural fit and how the potential employer treats their employees is important to you, perhaps more so now than in the past. In which case, do your research about organisations; look at their website and see if they have their company values there - what are they telling you? Do they mirror your values? Also check out Glassdoor where employees leave feedback (both good and bad) about organisations which can prove useful, but only that, not necessarily the full story!
Good luck, in the future you will look back and realise that things often happen for a reason.

Quite clearly op…. The impression you initially gave the thread that there was categorically absolutely NO issues ever, is quite patently inaccurate

I hear “not good culture fit”

I think “trouble”

@Trainingfairy I want to have a reason ready because I tend to be asked ‘why are you leaving your current job?’

So, say I go for the I successfully completed 2 projects angle like you recommend. What then? Won’t they want to know why I don’t want to keep completing projects at that organisation and why I’m now moving on?

I wonder if I say I had completed two successful projects and my manager had left/restructure, so all in all it seemed a good time to move on.

Good question @PrueD and you can turn this to your advantage!
Say as a result of completing those two projects you realised that you had learned a great deal about successfully managing projects and that has now given you an appetite for further increasing your skills and continuous improvement. Your current company is unable to ensure that you will be assigned to similar opportunities and you've decided this is the time for you to develop your skills further which has led to seeking other similar job opportunities and would be open to formal development if it was available.
No need to comment any further about anything else at your current company; stick to the continuous improvement and career development theme.
Good luck!

I wouldn't mention anything about the manager as it could suggest that you don't stick around if things change - which they do. If I was the recruiter I'd be interested in "completed two successful projects" but not so impressed with "my manager had left/restructure" which suggests that you aren't open to change.
Massive assumptions of course, but sometimes recruiters draw conclusions from innocent remarks.

You’re really overcomplicating this. Just state it was an interim position - maternity cover, nobody will bat an eyelid.

Just a word of warning here as I can't recall if that actually was the case. If it wasn't a maternity cover situation then don't state that it was - because a reference request will confirm that it wasn't and as a result the new employer will very likely lose interest and any job offer will be off the table.

I’d say end of projects and (if you really needed to say something more) something like you didn’t feel it was the right fit for you (which it wasn’t, it was toxic)/ wanted a new challenge.

Later down the line you can judge who you trust to tell the truth to but for now keep it positive and simple and don’t make any insinuation against your former employer as although it’d be truthful, it might make prospective employers twitchy.

Every sympathy for the tough week you've had.
Agree with @Ariela on what to say in future interviews.
I've been made redundant twice - the first occasion felt very unfair and hurtful- but I can honestly say they both turned out to be the best thing. The company sounds awful in the way they treat their staff and, like others say, I bet it is financial, not about you.
However, you may be able to use the threat of action for Wrongful Dismissal to get a written reference. Saying that, I found that interviewers were always very understanding when asking about reasons for leaving provided you are seen to be reasonable, open and honest in your answer. They know there are shitty workplaces out there.

@MellersSmellers thank you.

I updated my CV today which was a good exercise because it reminded me of my wide skillset and all the positive work experiences before this one. Applied for some jobs - it’s a start.

I think another concern I now is explaining resume gap assuming I don’t end up with a new job by the end of March.

You don’t need to explain the career gap for a month or so. You can simply state you’re immediately available, and actively looking for your next project / assignment. It’s actually a huge benefit to be available at short notice as a lot of companies are notoriously terrible at forward planning their hiring effectively. Probably because there’s always good candidates immediately available.

Agree with PP. There are always companies with positions needing filling immediately for a number of reasons
A month or two isn't too hard to explain. The job wasn't working, manager left and the culture wasn't a good fit.
You decided to take a short break before your next opportunity.

I hire people and 2/3 months gap (as long as it isn't A pattern) doesn't even phase me.

shitty timing, must be tough - hope that you find something better

with regards to the above - it's your contractual holiday pay you need to make sure you get.

Good luck

Agreed. Also, if you've worked at one place for a short period of time and others for much longer, I wouldn't worry either.

A guy that used to work for me was here for 15 years. In the four years since he left, he's on his third job.

If I were to see his CV I would certainly think that was a reflection on those companies as employers, rather than on him as a person.

If it's a short period of employment, then a gap, I'd probably assume that they were awful to work for and you got out as quick as you could!

@Stationarytheme @DazzlingCuckoos Before this, I’ve been in all my jobs for years. So hopefully that will work on my favour.

@ThinWomansBrain They confirmed by email they will pay everything in lieu including holiday pay so fingers crossed.

thanks everyone for being supportive. Yesterday I woke up energised & ready to take on the day, today I’m very low again. At least this weekend I’m going on a break with my partner (paid for a long time ago thankfully!).

I hope you have a really good break you really deserve a change of scene. And shelf the job worries whilst you are doing it. You've updated CV and applied for some things, You can afford to let it lie until you return in a few days refreshed.

A gap of a month or two is really not that big a deal with your continuous employment record, and you can draw their attention to that record if asked. You finished two big projects for them, they were not rehiring positions of people that had left, it was time.

Also today is pay day and I got paid my usual salary today. I hope that’s a good sign that I will get the rest of what I’m owed on time next month.

Keep an eye on your bank account because they sometimes pay payments after leaving on a different date.

That's understandable - you're grieving in more ways than one at the moment.

Take each day one at a time and look for some joy and satisfaction in every day, whether that being making yourself the most delicious cup of tea or, thinking forward, finding yourself a much better job than the one you're leaving.

Channel your inner Heather Small and say "What have you done today, to make you feel proud"!

Oh, and have a fabulous weekend away - you deserve it!