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How to Answer the Why Were You Laid Off Interview Question
Description
Episode 42 of Interview Prep with Fexingo tackles one of the toughest questions in a job interview: 'Why were you laid off?' Lucas and Luna break down a real case from June 2026 — a marketing manager at a mid-sized SaaS company who was part of a 15 percent workforce reduction. They walk through how to frame the answer with honest specifics, avoid sounding bitter or defensive, and redirect the conversation toward future value. The episode covers the difference between a performance-based termination and a structural layoff, the one sentence you should never say, and how to use the STAR method to turn a layoff story into proof of resilience. Lucas shares data from a 2025 LinkedIn survey showing that 74 percent of hiring managers view layoff candidates as equally or more attractive — if they explain the context well. Luna pushes back with a common trap: oversharing company drama. They land on a three-part structure — context, closure, contribution — that helps listeners prepare a 60-second response that builds trust. No fluff, just a direct playbook for a question that makes most candidates squirm.