Hi Ronnie Ann!
My friend needs your advice. Recently she quit her job. One of the difficulties she is facing is answering the interview question “Why did you leave your job?”
She happened to leave the job as she was not given a promotion, she believed she deserved. She did not gave her employer the same reason for quitting the job. Now when she is asked the reason for quitting her job in interviews, she is not sure whether to tell the truth or give some other excuse.
She asked for my advice and I thought you would be the best person to answer this.
It would be great if you could help out.
Regards,
Jay
***
Hi Jay!
Nice of you to want to help your friend.
I just posted something that may not at first seem related since it’s about someone who was essentially forced to resign after 15 years at the same company:
Job Interview: Reason for Leaving Your Job After 15 Years
But the advice is basically the same.
First…when dealing with the reason you left your last position, stay positive about the last job – never ever talk about how awful they were or how badly they treated you or how you didn’t get what you deserved. That’s all sour grapes to a potential new employer and would only brand her as high maintenance.
As in the example, (although her answer would be a little different of course) when she answers the question, she should lead and end with positive strength. In the middle, it’s usually good to talk about something like looking for new opportunity and challenges and in her situation, room for growth. And if she feels more comfortable with a shorter answer, then she can just talk about what she’s looking for which will cover most of it.
In your friend’s case, since she gave her other company a reason, and since there will be reference checks, it’s probably a good idea to make sure what she tells a potential new employer at least gels with what she told her last employer. Since I don’t know what it was, I can’t give you an example. I just hope she told them something that won’t trip her up – for instance that she wants to stop working altogether or leave the industry that she’s still interviewing in. But odds are, if she’s clever, she can make that work.
Now…although I said be clever, I want to emphasize I don’t mean slick. What she says has to ring true to both herself and the interviewer, or she’ll come across as two-dimensional and maybe even phony. Luckily, looking for new challenges and job growth are both excellent reasons for anyone to seek a new job or career.
I wish her much luck. She’s lucky to have a good friend like you, Jay. Please keep us posted!
Ronnie Ann
****
New Work Coach Cafe Policy:
Although I had to stop answering individual questions (to preserve my sanity), your thoughts and stories are VERY welcome here.
****
nnn
i leave my job becoz i worked in a domestic company it was a good company there i deal with national customer. I learnt a lot of thinks form there but now i want more opportunity and want to deal with international customer .
Thanks for sharing that, Surya. Wanting more/ better opportunity is a fine reason to move on. And in your case adding the part of wanting to expand from domestic to international makes it even better.
Good luck!
~ Ronnie Ann
Last year, I worked in the communications dept of a state agency. In addition, I reported to the Governor’s Communications Director. (Yes, I reported to two separate supervisors. ) While employed, I noticed shady financial dealing occurring at the agency and the Governor’s Office. Stressed out and prevented from performing my duties in an ethical manner, I provided a two-week notice to the Governor’s Office. They wished me luck and provided me with references, if needed. They also notified the state agency of my resignation. At the end of the first week, the supervisor from the state agency fired me. Months later, the Governor was impeached for political corruption (national news story) and many of his cronies, including my former state agency supervisor were fired.
How do I respond to the question, “Why did you leave your job at X?”
Hi D! Wow. Tough situation. Sorry you had to go through that. But actually…you are one of the luckier ones when it comes to explaining why you left.
Since the whole mess is well-known, using a friendly positive tone you can just say you really enjoyed working there, but because of what was going on during the impeachment process – which of course you mention you can’t talk about – you needed to move on. And then you might add something about how excited you are about this position (have good reasons of course) and maybe then move right into a question back at them about this new job to redirect the interview toward something positive.
Of course, you’ll make that fit the interview tone and your style, but that should do it. These things happen and what the employer really wants to know is what you can do for them now.
If at the time of an actual offer any messiness comes up because of the resignation/firing confusion, you have your dated resignation letter to show them. But you shouldn’t have to. If asked, just explain as you did here. If you present it in a positive way, there should be no problem.
Best of luck, D! Please let us know what happens.
~ Ronnie Ann
Hi, Ronnie:
Thanks for the feedback. I’ll definitely keep everyone updated. -d
Hi, Ronnie:
Here is a long one…
I just had my initial phone interview with a recruiter. I hope everything went well. Our initial conversation was to last 10-15 minutes, but we went over by 15 minutes. That is a good thing.
We talked about my background/experience; my passion for my profession; initiatives I have initiated (yep, redundant); community, government, and media contacts; what I knew about the company; etc.
I was prepared. Asked many pertinent questions about the position, the company’s goals, herself, and the person I would report to if offered the position. (My potential boss, a SVP, had a professional relationship with one of my close friends. However, they are no longer on speaking terms. I have asked him to swallow his pride and reach out to her on my behalf. Both are headstrong.)
Prior to the interview, I read the blogs, company’s web site, and news articles regarding the company. Found out that management likes to take credit for everything, and other negative things about management clicks.
I stressed that although it’s nice to receive accolades for a job well done, it’s more important for me to “make my manager look good than to take credit for my individual work.” She loved that statement.
I do not care who takes credit for my work. (I will be working in the foreground, so, it’ll be easy to see who is actually doing the work.)
I turned every negative thing I learned about the company into a positive.
You ask, “Why do you want to work there?” Answers: the position perfectly fits my background, global company, excellent benefits and wages, opportunity to hone my professional and personal skills, 50% traveling throughout the U.S., challenging position, and most important, I need a job.
Food for Thought: Although former employees have written negative things about the company, I will not allow it to formulate my opinion. I believe in giving people opportunities. You can’t base your opinion on others’ perspective(s).
Lastly, if I can work with an impeached former governor; political hacks stealing money; a fired CEO of a major Fortune 500 company; a director who constantly talked about “screwing the intern”; and an organization that wasted its members’ dues by spending $40.00 (total $40,000) per pound of potato chips for a party, I can work with anyone.
Thanks for sharing this with us D!
I love your reasoning and attitude. You are looking at it from the POV of what’s best for you and not getting caught up in all the other “stuff”. Smart. Just the fact that you’re going into it eyes wide open will be a big help. And at the very least…it will be more great material for your book.
Good luck finding the right job for you – or at least a good one for now. Please keep us posted. I’m rooting for you.
~ Ronnie Ann
I just read the fortune cookies and they reminded me of one of my favorite quotes:
“The true test of character is not how much we know how to do, but how we behave when we don’t know what to do.”
-John W. Holt, Jr.
So well said, Nikki. A good reminder for life – and also a nice basic guide for what interviewers are really looking for! Thanks.
~ Ronnie Ann
Hi, Ronnie Ann:
Here is an update:
During the past four weeks, I’ve had four interviews. Here’s the breakdown:
Interview #1 – Three weeks ago, phone interview with a recruiter for a not-for-profit organization. I asked questions in which he did not know the answers. Not interested in the position, but it provided an opportunity to “test” the water.
Interview #2 – Two weeks ago, phone interview with a corporate recruiter, who was knowledgeable and asked pertinent questions. It went well. The recruiter provided the name of the Senior Vice President I would report to if hired for the position.
Interview #3 – Last week, phone interview with the Senior Vice President of the major corporation. She was awesome. Tough, but fair. She did not ask me the standard questions. (i.e.: Tell me about yourself; Why should we hire you? etc) She actually made me think! WOW! I did not feel I passed her “test.” During my initial research on the company, earlier in the week, a major item developed regarding their competition. I asked her opinion regarding the news items and its potential effect on her company. She didn’t know anything about the competitor’s big news item. She said, “Wow, no one here told me about that. I have to look into it. Are you sure?”
Interview #4 – Yesterday, on-site interview with the department director and divisional senior vice president (SVP) at an organization I left—on good terms–more than 10 years ago. The company’s current issues are the same ones I worked on during my employment. So, I was prepared for their questions. The director’s last question: “why should we hire you?” I responded, “several reasons: 1) as an award-winning communications professional, who has worked at several Fortune 500 companies and not-for-profit organizations, I’ve successfully worked on several of the issues you’re now facing; 2) I’m familiar with the people including the elected officials, and the players involved with XX issues; 3). I’m passionate about the Public/Media/Community Relations profession; and 4) I’m damn good at what I do”. At no time was I cocky in my responses.
Interview #5 – Next week, I scheduled an on-site interview with the Senior Vice President from interviews #2 &3 to meet with her staff.
Hi D! Thanks for sharing all this. So cool. I am so excited for you. Guess you did pass the “test” after all.
That’s really the point…we just don’t know what they’re thinking. Clearly you impressed her. Yay! Also like that you are continuing on all burners. I feel really good energy from you, D.
Please let us know when you get the job. Ahem.
(Fingers, legs and eyes still crossed of course.)
Good luck, D!
~ Ronnie Ann
Hi Ronnie Ann,
I left my job two weeks back b’se my employer accused me of loosing a document which am sure i did not touch. After making me look for it for 3 days, he threatened to beat me on the fourth day i just moved out of the office and i went home. Incase am called for an interview, which appropriate reason should i give for leaving my previous job?
Thanks for your response.
Regards Geoff
Hi, Geoff:
Sorry to hear what happened, but..
“…making me look for it for 3 days, he threatened to beat me on the fourth day.”
Sounds like your post is missing pertinent information for anyone to determine what ACTUALLY happened.
While we can surely sympathize with you, it’s difficult to provide advice without more details.
I don’t understand why you “just moved out of the office and” went home.”
Besides missing paperwork, were there other incidences leading to your former boss’ erratic behavior? If so, did you document or create a paper trail? If not, why?
Did you contact HR regarding his behavior? If not, why? If so, what was the outcome?
Have you contacted an employment attorney?
IMHO, I suspect there is more than you’re telling.
-d
Thanks MUCH D for asking some of the same questions I had.
I wish you well Kabagambe, but we are all wondering how this isn’t something that is actionable legally where you are? It is here. But of course…there may be reasons you don’t want to share.
Anyway…the logic is the same as you see on this post and here:
How Do I Interview After Being Fired?
So just read them for ideas and do your best to stay positive and forward-looking. Good luck!
~ Ronnie Ann