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IT recruiting firms hear about a lot of hard interview questions.  Usually, these questions are very technical.  However, sometimes IT recruiters hear about basic interview questions that really stump candidates.  Here’s one question that often strikes fear in the heart of IT professionals as they interview for new IT jobs: Have you ever been fired?

Obviously if you’ve never been fired before, this question is easy to answer.  However, if you have been fired before, this question sounds pretty terrifying.  The truth is, though, if you answer it correctly, it can be a chance to help cement your candidacy.  While a firing is not necessarily a good thing, technical recruiters hear about it relatively often.  Most IT staffing firms have seen at least a few perfectly competent, capable professionals fired (and then hired elsewhere!).  It’s merely a part of professional life.  As you answer this question, remember that.  Don’t lie and don’t panic as you answer the question.  Your IT recruiting firms and hiring managers would much rather you honestly answer yes, rather than lie about having ever been fired.

Your IT recruiting agencies will also want you to keep your answer short and neutral.  Don’t be tempted to bash your former employers, nor should you go into a long-winded, defensive explanation of your firing.  A quick, one sentence answer should be just fine! A good answer here will demonstrate that you can be professional, positive, and honest.  These are all qualities that your IT staffing companies (and hiring managers!) would love to have you demonstrate in an interview.  Thus you can take a question that seemed designed to hurt your candidacy and use your answer to actually strengthen it.