There’s one interview question that many job candidates fear more than any other:

“Why were you laid off, let go, or fired?”

If you have a gap in your resume, you might already be anticipating this question. It’s the elephant in the room, and you know it’s bound to come up during the interview. And when it does, it can feel like a meat cleaver hovering over your chances of landing the job.

If this sounds familiar, don’t worry. You’re not alone — and I’m glad you’re reading this because there’s a simple secret to mastering this tricky question. Once you understand it, the fear and dread surrounding it will start to fade. You’ll feel more confident and in control of the situation.

The Secret to Answering “Why Were You Let Go?”

The secret to acing this question comes in two parts.

Part 1: You’re Not Alone

First, understand that most people have been let go, laid off, or fired at some point in their career. This includes CEOs, board members, and even the interviewers sitting across from you. It’s a common part of the modern workplace, and very few interviewers will see it as a deal-breaker.

Crappy stuff happens to everyone. That’s just life.

Write this down and keep it in the back of your mind: If you’re sitting in the interview, they already know about your situation. You’ve made it this far because they see your potential and are interested in you as a candidate. So, don’t put so much pressure on yourself or fear being “found out.” You’re in the room for a reason.

Part 2: It’s All About Attitude

Now, the second part of the secret is this:

When interviewers ask why you were let go, they’re not just asking about what happened. What they really want to know is, “What kind of attitude do you have about being let go?”

Are you going to dwell on it and come across as a victim? Or are you going to show resilience, optimism, and growth from the experience?

Interviewers want to hire people who can handle setbacks and bounce back stronger. They’re looking for problem-solvers, self-starters, and go-getters. If you can demonstrate that you’ve learned from the situation and are ready to move forward with a positive mindset, you’ll stand out.

How to Craft Your Answer

In Interview Success Formula, I break down exactly how to respond to this question, even if you were fired under less-than-ideal circumstances. There’s an in-depth training, step-by-step guidance, and over 30 sample answers for a wide range of situations.

Here’s a simplified version of what you can do:

1. Stay Calm and Confident – Acknowledge the situation without getting defensive or emotional.
2. Take Ownership – Explain briefly what happened, without blaming others. You want to show accountability and maturity.
3. Focus on What You’ve Learned – Highlight any lessons you took from the experience and how it’s helped you grow professionally.
4. Shift to the Future – Reinforce your excitement about the new opportunity and how you’re ready to contribute your skills to their team.

By following these steps, you’ll transform what could be a tough interview moment into an opportunity to demonstrate resilience and professionalism.

Don’t Let This Question Hold You Back

Once you understand that the majority of professionals have faced similar challenges and that your attitude is what truly matters, this question loses its power. You no longer need to fear it. Instead, you can approach it as an opportunity to showcase your strength, resilience, and readiness for what’s next.

With the right preparation and mindset, this question can become just another chance to demonstrate why you’re the perfect fit for the job.