tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post6270509664592586583..comments2023-09-29T06:09:21.089-04:00Comments on Ask a Manager: can I ask why my predecessor was fired?Ask a Managerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05281942480230532899noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-66621356198288103162010-10-06T07:35:48.982-04:002010-10-06T07:35:48.982-04:00That is very risky anyway. What if your manager al...That is very risky anyway. What if your manager also wants to fire you? :)Asp.Net how to questions and answershttp://www.askingdev.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-33257218865922743932010-03-24T11:37:35.205-04:002010-03-24T11:37:35.205-04:00If asked in an interview, most likely the employer...If asked in an interview, most likely the employer will just say the previous employee left and they are seeking to fill the position. They aren't going to air their dirty laundry to someone who may not even be hired. <br /><br />Even after being hired, most employers will be sensitive to privacy and liability issues of discussing other employees, former or otherwise.<br /><br />Information like this, I've always found, is usually readily forthcoming from coworkers. Make friends and you'll usually find out all the 'scoop' you need to know about the former employee.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-69756015892023423652010-03-23T18:31:42.394-04:002010-03-23T18:31:42.394-04:00Of course you should be asking why there is a vaca...Of course you should be asking why there is a vacancy at interview. I always do. It helps me to understand the job I'm potentially going into.<br /><br />As a prospective employee I want to know if I'm replacing someone and if so what kind of handover (if any) there will be, or whether I am about to enter a role newly created as a result of some internal reshuffling.<br /><br />I always get an answer when I ask, but once I've been told the role has been vacated by someone else and there will be no formal handover it seems unreasonable to try and dig further at interview stage.<br /><br />Ultimately if someone has been fired then it's likely to be legally sensitive and they're not going to share any further details with someone they may not hire.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-17539173037516251422010-03-23T14:11:35.211-04:002010-03-23T14:11:35.211-04:00Right, but the question was whether she can ask no...Right, but the question was whether she can ask now -- which she can and should.<br /><br />Is it better to ask in the interview? Absolutely. On the other hand, some companies will give you much more candid info once you're already working for them; I've seen interviewers gloss over the fact that the predecessor was fired, for all manner of reasons. You're far more likely to get the straight story once you're actually working there. But yes, definitely asking in the interview why the job is open is smart.Ask a Managerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05281942480230532899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-253975775529726272010-03-23T13:58:18.190-04:002010-03-23T13:58:18.190-04:00I agree that asking is fine, but, like the previou...I agree that asking is fine, but, like the previous commenter, I think it should have been asked during the interview. I have asked many times what created the vacancy I was interviewing for and not once was I admonished in any way for asking. Asking once you've been hired, if it's not done just so, can come off sounding like you want to catch up on the office gossip. At that late stage, it definitely has to be phrased very constructively, and it should also be asked privately - not just casting around for someone who will give you the dirt.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-9461138977739824962010-03-23T12:57:00.205-04:002010-03-23T12:57:00.205-04:00I'm struggling to be polite about how I say th...I'm struggling to be polite about how I say this, but... both you and the questioner are off-base.<br /><br />If the person started a new job without knowing that her predecessor was fired, and having at least some idea why, that means she failed to do her homework. <br /><br />Her research and due diligence during the interview process should have brought out that information -- and she certainly should have asked the company to explain it then.<br /><br />Failing that, she might well have walked into a minefield wearing blinders.<br /><br />And you should have told her that in your answer. Yes, it's mostly too late for that advice to help her. However, you would have done a service to all your other readers by reminding them to thoroughly research prospective employers while still a candidate (right up to and beyond the point when you receive an offer).<br /><br />-Jon JacobsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com