Fired! Reasons for leaving?

[greensleeves]

I was terminated from a contract prematurely with an investment bank. After 3 months. The background screening process had thrown up a discrepancy in my education as stated in my CV. It was a small error concerning the type of degree major concerned but I was terminated anyway under the bank's Compliance policy despite my hiring manager being entirely satisfied with my performance thus far.

Question is... how should I explain my "reasons for leaving" in my search for a new contract?

I do not want to lie but neither do I want to sabotage my own chances of employment.

I spoke with HR of the bank and they said they are not allowed to reveal reasons for my leaving, only the dates for which I was with the bank. My hiring manager is happy to be a reference but she has stated that she will be truthful if asked for reason for my leaving.

Anyone has any advice that would be much appreciated!

[curtis]

Question is... how should I explain my "reasons for leaving" in my search for a new contract?

Your a contractor you don't need to have a reason why you left, the contract just ended.

I have never been asked why I left my last job as a contractor.

[TheFaQQer]

Your a contractor you don't need to have a reason why you left, the contract just ended.

I have never been asked why I left my last job as a contractor.

+1

"The contract came to a natural end"

"The contract ended and there was no scope for an extension"

"I got caught lying and was terminated"

Take your pick out of those.

[northernladuk]

I have never been asked why I left my last job as a contractor.

+1 to this. Never been asked and don't expect to either but if they do ask you could respond as follows..

'All work supplied by the client was completed'

...which is correct. They supplied work, you did it. They stop providing you work so couldn't do any more. Simples.

[russell]

So you said Cambridge Computer Science 1:1 on your CV but it was really a Ordinary degree in Midwifery from North East Yorkshire college. What's their problem?

[Kurzon]

So you said Cambridge Computer Science 1:1 on your CV but it was really a Ordinary degree in Midwifery from North East Yorkshire college. What's their problem?

It puts genuine applicants like myself at a disadvantage. If he's got experience then he doesn't even need to bother lying about this. I got zero experience (except the odd part-time work during my studies and web dev) and my academic life is the only thing I got going for me for the most part.

It's hard enough without other people lying on their CVs!! IMO he got what he deserved if he did intentionally lie.

[tarbera]

Schoolboy error

I was terminated from a contract prematurely with an investment bank. After 3 months. The background screening process had thrown up a discrepancy in my education as stated in my CV. It was a small error concerning the type of degree major concerned but I was terminated anyway under the bank's Compliance policy despite my hiring manager being entirely satisfied with my performance thus far.

Question is... how should I explain my "reasons for leaving" in my search for a new contract?

I do not want to lie but neither do I want to sabotage my own chances of employment.

I spoke with HR of the bank and they said they are not allowed to reveal reasons for my leaving, only the dates for which I was with the bank. My hiring manager is happy to be a reference but she has stated that she will be truthful if asked for reason for my leaving.

Anyone has any advice that would be much appreciated!

Schoolboy error - Never put any education details on your CV (unless you have less than 5 years exp in contracting) as try and find those old certificates after 10 years + is a nightmare. and Banks dont really care anyway what degree or not in 99% of contracts

[eek]

Schoolboy error - Never put any education details on your CV (unless you have less than 5 years exp in contracting) as try and find those old certificates after 10 years + is a nightmare. and Banks dont really care anyway what degree or not in 99% of contracts

Just phone up the university and ask for a copy. Its not exactly difficult.

[Ticktock]

It puts genuine applicants like myself at a disadvantage. If he's got experience then he doesn't even need to bother lying about this. I got zero experience (except the odd part-time work during my studies and web dev) and my academic life is the only thing I got going for me for the most part.

What puts "genuine applicants" like yourself at a disadvantage is that you do not have the skills and experience that he has. You know, the sort of things a company will look for in a contractor. They don't care what you studied at university, they care about a proven history of delivering on the type of project that they are running.

I've only ever been asked about my studies because I'm currently doing a degree with the OU whilst working (in a non-work related subject). Even then, the questions have been more interest in how I balance the two, or genuine interest in the subject, nothing to do with what I studied 15 years ago.

[Kurzon]

What puts "genuine applicants" like yourself at a disadvantage is that you do not have the skills and experience that he has. You know, the sort of things a company will look for in a contractor. They don't care what you studied at university, they care about a proven history of delivering on the type of project that they are running.

I've only ever been asked about my studies because I'm currently doing a degree with the OU whilst working (in a non-work related subject). Even then, the questions have been more interest in how I balance the two, or genuine interest in the subject, nothing to do with what I studied 15 years ago.

Be that as it may, lying about your education on your CV DOES put other applicants (honest) at a disadvantage. No matter how you look at it, it's wrong.