You HATED your old job, and they asked about it!!
When a new potential job asks about your old one, it’s sort of like talking to your current significant other about your past relationship. It can be VERY uncomfortable, but it doesn’t have to be.
The breakup and/or relationship may have been UGLY, but remember you don’t want to bring that baggage into your new relationship. If you do then your new boyfriend/girlfriend/job might think you are crazy, negative, an angry person, etc. The breakup could have been for the best, you might still miss them a little, OR perhaps the moment things ended you broke into your happy dance thinking to yourself, “I’m freeeeee!!” I am also talking about your past job here ; )
So no matter how things ended, when your new potential job asks about your old one here are a few easy ways to handle it like a pro!
1- Avoid negative words, in fact take a few moments to remove them completely from your brain right now! Words such as “hate,” “horrible,” “couldn’t stand,” “lazy,” etc. do NOT translate well at all. Negativity is not something you want to project or share with your future employer, and they simply don’t want to hear it. As I use to tell my third grade students, “Save the drama for your mama!” Plus, they will likely perceive you as a negative person which is NOT how you want to present your best self.
2- Always say something positive about your past job. I know, this may be a struggle but you can do this! Even if you can only come up with one idea to stick to. Say something such as, “I really enjoyed (pick a part of the job you enjoyed) because… Keep it simple and don’t go into a long winded explanation about why you left, etc. remember positive is key here!
3- If they ask why you left, just simply say that you were looking for other opportunities, and again avoid the negative. This doesn’t need to be a long winded answer and when I have said this no one has inquired further.
4- I know it’s tempting after all they put you through to throw them under the bus, but avoid bad mouthing your past boss or any of the employees. If you say negative things then your potential boss will be thinking to themselves, “Wow, it won’t be long before they do the same thing to ME!” This will raise a major red flag! So if they happen to say something like “How did you enjoy working for your previous employer?” You can respond by saying, “I enjoyed working for him/her because they… and pick a few positive things.
They will appreciate that you took the high road. You’re awesome like that ; )
So, what was YOUR most difficult job and how did you handle talking about it during an interview??
I don't Hate my Old Job, but but for any Job that you have, you may hate Dealing with Multitasking!! when things need to be done in Less then an Hour, that time of work, We all Have our Long stories, but Really, when do we want to talk about them, i hear people talking on the Radio about issues, between Marriages/relationships/ and Employment, we could say None, of that persons Business, but like most managers would say we wont know unless we ask? but what should we know, your Old job, What was the main Reason why your not there anymore, and why you want to apply Here? Really there is no Done in the Process, it's all about how the work comes to meets the Needs.
Magnificent post...I APPLAUD YOU...SALUTE!!!!
Why would anyone want to hire someone who is already negative? No matter how you part ways with your prior emoloyer it's best to keep your comments civil and on a positive note. There isn't an emoloyer alive who wants to recruit someone else's problem. I have been able to hire for my present company and this is an interview killer for me. Always take the high road or get in line at the unemployment office.
Good advice on what to do during an interview if your last job didn't go so wonderfully. We all have that ONE job that we couldn't stand and if it happens to be your most recent job you want to make sure you frame it in the best possible way to avoid being overly negative for sure. I always try to think of one thing (even if it's a struggle) to focus on before I even go into an interview just in case they ask. Sometimes they don't, but you definitely want to be prepared if they do. Thanks for sharing Ashley!
I hate it when I’m asked to talk about my last job in an interview. Mostly because my time there was a nightmare and I don’t have anything positive to say. I’ve learned to make something up but I think that I raise a questionable flag when I ask a potential employer not to contact that manager for a work reference.
It's the same concept. If you speak ill, and really go off on your past significant other, the target of your affection could realize they could be next. When it comes to employment, you have to speak about the positives of your past employer. If you are hired, you will have enough time to point out examples of how much a jerk your previous employer was. However, if a potential employer gets a earful of negative energy, they will back off, as you are now a potential risk. At any interview, or any relationship, you must accentuate the positive. Nobody likes a crybaby, so don't start whining and complaining. Good Luck to all...
Excellent device. Be as objective as you can when explaining why you left your last job. State positives. Be factual, objective, when giving the reasons for leaving your last employer. You want a prospective / future employer to see that you are professional, factual and objective.Sometimes we, ( I have done so before), are guilty of TMI. I wish you the best in your endeavors and thank you for your post.