What not to say in NYS Department of Labor unemployment interview - need advice
I have my first unemployment interview with NYS Department of Labor next week and I'm terrified I'm going to say something wrong and mess up my claim. My former employer is contesting it saying I was fired for misconduct but that's not true - I was let go because of budget cuts. What should I absolutely NOT say during the interview? I keep reading horror stories about people accidentally admitting to things that disqualified them. Any tips on what words or phrases to avoid?
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Abby Marshall
Most important thing - stick to the facts and don't volunteer extra information. Never say you 'quit' even if you were given the option. Don't admit to any policy violations even minor ones. Don't say you were 'expecting' to be fired or that you 'deserved' it. Keep your answers short and factual about what actually happened on your last day.
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Vanessa Figueroa
•Thank you! Should I mention that my supervisor told me it was budget related or just stick to what's in writing?
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Sadie Benitez
oh god dont say anything about being late or missing work even if it was just once or twice, they will use that against you!! also dont mention if you had any warnings about anything at all
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Drew Hathaway
I had one of these interviews last year and the key is preparation. Don't say you were 'terminated for cause' - use 'laid off due to company restructuring' or similar. Avoid phrases like 'I wasn't a good fit' or 'they didn't like my work style.' If they ask about your performance, focus on objective metrics not subjective opinions. Also never admit to violating company policy even if you think it was minor.
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Laila Prince
•This is really helpful. What if they ask directly about attendance or performance issues though? Can you just say no comment?
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Isabel Vega
I spent weeks trying to get through to NYS Department of Labor for help with my interview prep and it was impossible. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual agent who walked me through what to expect. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Was way better than guessing what to say.
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Vanessa Figueroa
•How much does something like that cost? I'm already stressed about money with no income coming in.
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Dominique Adams
Whatever you do DON'T mention anything about looking for other work while you were still employed. They twist that into you wanting to leave anyway. And don't talk about any personal conflicts with coworkers or management even if that's what really led to you being targeted.
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Marilyn Dixon
ugh these interviews are the worst part of the whole unemployment process. just had mine last month and felt like I was on trial for a crime. good luck OP
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Vanessa Figueroa
•That's exactly how I feel! Did yours turn out okay in the end?
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Mei Chen
Document everything beforehand - write down the exact date, who told you about the layoff, what they said word for word, and any paperwork you received. During the interview, reference these facts rather than trying to remember on the spot. Also be prepared for them to ask the same question multiple ways to see if your story changes. Stay consistent and don't elaborate beyond what they're asking. If you're unsure about something, it's okay to say "I don't recall the exact details" rather than guessing.
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Omar Fawaz
•This is excellent advice about documenting everything! I've been so focused on what not to say that I didn't think about organizing my facts beforehand. Do you think it's okay to bring notes with me to reference during the interview, or would that look bad?
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LongPeri
I went through this exact same situation 6 months ago - employer claimed misconduct when it was really downsizing. Key things that helped me: Never use emotional language like "unfair" or "they had it out for me" even if it feels true. Stick to neutral terms like "position eliminated" or "workforce reduction." If they ask about your relationship with your supervisor, keep it professional - "we had a normal working relationship" rather than getting into any personality conflicts. Also, if you have any documentation about the budget cuts (emails, company announcements, etc.) make sure to mention you have those available. The interviewer told me later that having concrete evidence really strengthened my case. You've got this!
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Zainab Omar
•This is so reassuring to hear from someone who went through the same thing! I do have an email from HR about company-wide layoffs that mentions budget constraints. Should I bring a printed copy with me or just mention that I have it? Also, when you say "normal working relationship" - what if they press for more details about specific interactions with my supervisor?
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