#JobInterviewTips #PreviousEmployment #WorkplaceBullying
Hey there job seekers! 🌟 Let’s discuss a tricky question that often comes up in interviews: “Why did you leave your last job?” 🤔 For some of us, this question can be a bit of a minefield, especially if we left our previous job under less-than-ideal circumstances.
Here are some safe answers for when you can’t talk negatively about your previous employer:
– “I was looking for a new challenge and opportunity for growth.”
– “I felt that I had accomplished all that I could in my previous role.”
– “I wanted to explore a different industry and broaden my skill set.”
But what if you were a victim of workplace bullying like in the scenario given? This can be a sensitive topic to broach in an interview without speaking negatively about your previous employer. One possible solution could be:
– “I realized that the company culture was not the right fit for me and I decided to move on to find a more positive work environment.”
Remember, it’s important to frame your answer in a professional and positive light while still being honest about your reasons for leaving. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! 💬 #JobSeeker #InterviewPrep #CareerAdvice
Looking for more growth opportunities.
“I’m seeking a work environment where I can contribute effectively and thrive in a collaborative setting.”
“I felt that I had reached a point in my previous role where I was ready for new challenges and opportunities.”
Growth and opportunity!
This really depends on if you want to stay in the industry or not.
If you want to leave it’s simpler. Just mention why you took time to do soul searching and want to work in a different industry.
If you want to stay talk about how you left to do some skill building and maybe get some credentials to back up that statement.
For me a version of the truth is always the best, and highlighting something that this job offers that the other didn’t. Is this job remote? Then “I found myself much more productive working from home, while also being able to take care of household tasks during lunch and prefer that over a return to office mandate”. Is the new job a step up? “ I feel that in ready for a director role and while I know my current company has placed me in a leadership acceleration program, the opportunities don’t appear to be available for quite some time and I would like to take on that challenge sooner rather than later”.
Be honest. When/if they do a background, they’ll know if it was due to termination.
Super unpleasant feeling that sinks your self-image. I am sorry to hear that you were the object of people’s inferiority complex.
“I’m looking forward to becoming part of a team that celebrates their diversity.”
“I’m ready for a positive change where my hard work and contributions are recognized.”
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I didn’t fit in with the work place culture is one, Or I didn’t see anymore opportunities for growth with said company/corporation.
The company went out of business…
I wanted to learn something new.
My work was getting a bit of routine. For me it was every time the same microcontroller, the same schematic, and only a few interesting things to add. It solved interesting problems, sure, but at the core, it was always too similar. So I took a job that was a bit wider, with more diverse responsibilities.
(In other words, I wanted more money, closer to home, and I didn’t like my manager)
Just saw a similar post earlier, so reposting my reply in case it helps!
This is how I’ve translated (bad) experiences to be diplomatic but honest:
“I realised early on this wasn’t a culture fit for me. So I am now looking for a company that is strong on (specific positive qualities).”
“I have a high standard of work, as you can see from (examples). My current role doesn’t have the preconditions needed for me to succeed at that same level, due to (specific issues). How do those conditions look like for you guys?”
“The role was simply a mismatch with what I understood it to be in the interview phase, so I am very keen to get it right this time around and be clear. Do I understand it correctly that the role here would mean…”
I’ve always approached interviews as a mutual task to find a mutual fit, and never felt any negativity at all to being human about it. Be clear about what you need to thrive for a long time.
I will say it’s important to highlight the positive bits as well. If you’ve been at a good place before, reflect on why it was good and why it was the right time to leave. Reflect on the conditions you had when you could do a great job and enjoy it.
If you’re vibing with the recruiter I’d be even more honest. “I appreciated X and Y. Unfortunately I found the work environment draining. I’d love to be part of a positive work team. How do you work with that aspect?”
FYI. Interviews are more of a vibe check than answering questions correctly. So even if you say all the right things, the interviewer might not like you or think you’re a good fit for whatever work culture they have. It’s not all education and work experience.
You didn’t fit in with the previous workplace. Try to blend in.
i had a stroke and apparently got robbed
“I was underutilized” is my go to.
Were you on a contract…. “short term contract role that ended”
“Because I missed the rat-race that is the job hunt !”
Higher position, better pay
“Discovering myself” 💀
If you are leaving due to negative circumstances, I recommend mentioning how you came to the decision, and how you worked to improve those circumstances prior to looking for new employment. Keep it short. There’s a professional way to explain all level-headed decisions, but all your future employers want to know is how you handle conflict and that you won’t ghost them without the opportunity to address any concerns.
Isay stability, adding “The construction industry is very ‘feast or famine’.”
Commute is always an amazing answer. If you are improving your commute.
If not, then scheduling and school hours could be a good answer if it makes sense.
My answers have been:
1. Company was going under as it struggled to find revenue after 2 years. (Automotive marketing)
2. Was praised for good work and promised promotion but was never given promotion. (Automotive marketing)
3. My skills outpaced the position and salary, my qualifications are now more appropriate for a senior role. (Finance marketing)
All these answers were in the interview that landed me the job.