CV template: Dismissal

Whether you liked or disliked your job, being dismissed can be an uncomfortable experience. And as you begin to look for a new job, there comes the seemingly tremendous task of addressing your dismissal on your CV and telling prospective employers.

To help you out, we’ve worked with the experts at Standout CV to produce a dismissal CV template. No matter how you choose to angle it – fired, sacked, termination of contract, asked to leave, let go – this CV template will help phrase your experience in the best light, to prove that you have the talent employers’ desire.

Check out our guide on what to do if you’ve just lost your job if you need, or keep reading for more tips on addressing a dismissal on your CV.

Employment dates must be accurate

You must be honest when it comes to your employment dates. Regardless of the reason for your firing, whether it was for something out of your control like company relocation, or something more serious, you must be truthful and avoid putting ‘present’.

If you lie, you’re likely to be caught out as the employer will do background checks. Plus, if your lie is discovered, you don’t want to become blacklisted by recruiters – and it won’t be the fact that you were dismissed that’s the problem, it will be that you fibbed.

Keep schtum

Although you must be honest with your employment dates, it’s best to avoid commenting on your dismissal on your CV until you can make a good impression in the interview – especially if the reason for your departure is serious.

That said, if you were dismissed for slightly tamer reasons, such as the company downsizing, you may decide to mention this in your cover letter.

Remember though, the prospective employer will always ask about the reasons for leaving your last job in the interview, so you will have to talk about your dismissal at some point.

Draw attention to accomplishments

While being let go can be a little hiccup when applying for a new job, it’s important to draw attention to your accomplishments on your CV to prove what you can bring to the position.

If a month or more has passed since you were dismissed, it’s worth drawing on what you have learnt and discovered during your break. This proves that you are a proactive, talented individual that takes pride in their work and abilities despite the setbacks.

For more tips on how to write a CV, see our guide.