How To Answer Interview Questions?

Not sure how to answer interview questions about my former employer?

• I've had a number of interviews that seemed to go very well, the potential employers liked me, they were very nice and enthusiastic during follow-up calls, but then they never get back to me even when they said they would. I don't know why this is. I don't think I'm interviewing badly, because as I said they seem enthusiastic throughout the interview process, but then they suddenly lose interest. I'm afraid my previous employer may be badmouthing me, but I don't know that for sure, and I also feel like I don't have a good reply when potential employers ask why I'm no longer at the employer. I was fired from there and told I was 'not a good fit' with no further elaboration. I was the youngest, newest employee at a place that has a reputation for a high turnover with their young employees. There were very few of us there, and my direct supervisor was constantly making mistakes and blaming them on me. I'm afraid she may still be doing this when potential employers call. (I don't have this place or her down as a reference, but they are on my resume because the experience I gained there is important). I don't know how to answer questions about this employer in an interview without badmouthing them, which I don't want to do. Anyone have any advice? Thank you in advance.

• Answer:

  You need to follow up with a thank you for every interview you have and then check back in a week to see what's up. If you are asked about your last job, say that it wasn't a good fit and you should probably have left before you did. Don't hope that whoever answers the phone where you used to work won't tell them something bad. Prepare the interviewer. Also, stress how well you did on the previous job, how you are gaining skills (be sure to mention ones the particular interviewer is looking for), even at the job that didn't work out. Do not ever badmouth that place or your supervisor. If you meet an interviewer who you seem to have made a connection, after your second call, if the job is taken, ask if they can be frank about why you didn't fit this particular job. You may learn something that will help you decide how to present being fired, if that's the hold-up.