Handling Interviews After Being a Fall Guy?

bheer asks: "Salon's Since You Asked column is carrying an interesting question right now — what do you say in interviews after getting fired as a fall guy at your last job? Cary Tennis, who writes the column, admits he may not be the best person for this sort of question. So I thought I'd ask others what they thought about this. Software developers are sometimes able to get away blaming the business requirements/analysis process, but anyone with any experience in this business probably has had nightmares about being the fall guy and may even have a strategy or two up their sleeve. How would deal with being in such a crummy position?"

a "novel" idea.

[User 956]

what do you say in interviews after getting fired as a fall guy at your last job?

I dunno, writing a book seems to have worked out for George Tenet.

Here's what I did

[L. VeGas]

Well, I'm not the kind to kiss and tell, but I've been seen with Farrah. I'm never seen with anything less than a nine, so fine.

I've been on fire with Sally Field, gone fast with a girl named Bo, but somehow they just don't end up as mine.

It's a death defyin' life I lead, I take my chances.

What is this?

[gEvil (beta)]

What is this? Ask Lee Majors?

Become an entrepreneur.

[iknownuttin]

You do NOT want "Whistle Blower" or being fired on your resume. I don't give a shit abut the whistle blower laws - you WILL be FUCKED! (See "Economist" - sorry, you're on your own)

I don't know what else to say than ... "do your best" ... OK, get ALL the evidence in your favor...you have to black mail them.....I don't recommend it ..but...this is corporate...horseshit....I'm insane...don't listen to me...son't sue me...pleeeeese....yah! I can't spell either....

keep it short and concise

[ulysses38]

Just say this:

"While in my previous job I might have fallen from a tall building, or I might have rolled a brand new car. But it was because I was the unknown stuntman that made Redford such a star."

Leave it at that. And call Lee Majors for a reference.

Re:Become an entrepreneur.

[eln]

Wow...I've never seen someone actually have a nervous breakdown in the middle of a Slashdot post before.

Take care, buddy.

From #7165902

[Actually, I do RTFA]

I tried the honesty route, and it backfired:

Why did you leave your previous job?

Well, I needed money at the time so I embezzled $1.5 million dollars from the payroll department, and my boss couldn't prove I had done that. He then proceeded to tell my secretary to bring a totally bogus sexual harrassment charge to convince me to quit. I mean, it's hardly sexual harassement to stop going out of your way to get raises for people when you stop sleeping with them, right? I mean, I wasn't trying to coerce her anymore, the pregnancy made her look all fat.

Well, not only did I not get the job, but it turns out that they record all the interviews to protect themselves legally. I lost all my money in child support and sexual harrassment payments to my secretary, and in 18 more years, when I get out, I'm going to know how to respond to that question.

Why did you leave your previous job?

On the advice of council, I'm going to take the 5th

Disclaimer: The above is fiction only. I am not a criminal.

Re:Become an entrepreneur.

[Anonymous Coward]

Just think... he had the nervous breakdown, then he finished his post. That's dedication right there.

Re:Just make stuff up

[MyOtherUIDis3digits]

They'll already have made up their mind within the first 10 seconds of having seen you anyway so as long as you don't come across as a complete nut you'll be fine.

Oh, so kinda like dating?

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:um, no

[geminidomino]

You worked at the Daily Bugle, huh?

It is simple...

[Maljin Jolt]

Fallen software developers go homeless, fallen managers go into politics, isn't it?