Hi forum, would deeply appreciate your suggestions on this topic. Consulting firms have over-hired in my region last year, and my company was stricter on performance. They canceled the “PIP” mechanism, and staffs get counseled out if you underperform once. Half of the new experienced hires were counseled out or didn't pass the probation.
Although I have passed probation and stayed at the firm for 1 year, I was counseled out due to underperformance, and in the end I resigned myself. I'd like to seek your advice on how to frame / articulate the reason of leaving. Currently, I can only think of 2 approaches as below. Not sure whether there's any better idea?
1) Left "involuntarily" due to downsizing, as company didn't have enough project due to economic downturn.
Personally I tend to use this version… However downsizing is not totally true, as the counseled out was based on performance. On the other hand, the company has indeed be stricter and a high proportion of new joiners were impacted. (Not sure whether this reason is defined as lying?)
2) Say the truth that I was asked to leave due to underperformance.
I think this would be a bad idea - no matter how I spin the story and state what I've learned from the experience, once I'm labeled as underperformer, companies will not be interested in me.
Would really appreciate your support and suggestion. Indeed a tough time, and I hope other people facing layoff / counsel out can find an ideal job too!
