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
Hello,
I left my job in October of 2011 after facing a hostile work environment. It was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever made in my life considering that I have never quit a job in my entire career, however, the pain and burden was too much for me to handle on a day to day basis. The job I quit I was there only a year. Luckily, I have supporting friends and family who are helping me through this difficult time. I’ve tried looking into temp work and even headhunters but to no avail.
I’ve spent over 10+ years in higher education, but my job search has been less than hopeful. Many of the jobs i’ve applied for I am overqualified for and others I am under qualified. I’ve applied for many jobs, been interviewed for 5 different jobs and have been called back for 3 interviews at two different jobs in some cases, however, it didn’t pan out to much. Now, it’s been 8 months and I still haven’t found a good job. I am becoming nervous and very frustrated. What should I do to keep sane? I’m stretched to my limits and need an opinion on what I should do. With an MBA and a great career background, I am puzzled as to why I am not getting phone calls and requests for interviews.
Help!
Donald
Welcome to the club, Donald.
One day you’re a viable, productive person within a system that gives you status, money, something to do, etc. and then you leave because that system has become poisonous in some or other way. Your survival instinct kicks in and you quit. It is better to get out when you realise it’s not the job or organisation for you, rather than hanging in there year after year, poisoning yourself with unhappiness and frustration at your lack of courage for staying. Now you find on the ‘outside’ things are tough. The jobs just aren’t forthcoming and self-doubt kicks in, along with the obvious money worries.
What I do to keep sane is, having significantly cut back on my lifestyle and expenditures, I”ve deliberately opted for lifestyle changes that require commitment and focus. I follow a new exercise regime with a coach who is guided by a most unconventional philosophy and has made swimming fun again, as my body heals from years of neglect behind a desk and on planes. I’m working on totally changing my eating – it means my grocery shopping trips have become a new adventure in finding fresh whole fruit in season – I only go to the fresh fruit and veg section of the store. The choices available in eating raw food (and the pitfalls, like overdoing the nuts) are fascinating as I let go of the SAD (Standard American Diet) and the Canada Food Guide. It certainly costs a whole lot less too. AND, because I see food through the lens of nutrition now, rather than taste-bud gratification, I’ve become not interested in eating out.
I still monitor job postings and still apply for the occasional job, but I do that as a way of ‘showing up’ rather than in panic or anger. I believe the right job will come, even though I’m over-qualified for most jobs in my field that get advertised.
And then, truly to keep sane, I do volunteer work – in fields that are of deep meaning to me – it means I’m meeting a whole new range of people who share my values although they often arrive at them via a very different path. It’s not just about stuffing envelopes for mail campaigns or phoning people asking for money. It is about offering your MBA skills to help the organisation become more efficient and effective in delivering on its mandate.
In two years I’ve had one three month contract worth any kind of real money, so I’m fully aware of the sense of dwindling capital, but I work hard at not letting fear dominate my daily agenda. ( It doesn’t work every day, but most days it becomes a dimmer noise) I find it astonishing that the positive energy I bring to everything I do, my ability to juggle multiple crises and choices in my head – the judgement that can come only from years of working and constantly figuring out solutions and better ways somehow doesn’t make it through the screening and interviewing process. One day it might.
The other thing I do, Donald, is to look at everything through an entrepreneurial lens – almost every newspaper story I read, every coffee shop conversation I have, there’s this constant question in my head (a) is there an innovative business opportunity lurking somewhere in here? (b) is this a person I could work with? I have at least half a dozen new business ideas a week. A couple I’ve researched at some length before deciding that they were interesting but not viable or not what I want to do, others still simmer on the back burner and some I smile and let go of.
Don’t give up and mostly don’t let fear drive you. Even the folks with the steady jobs and the nice pay cheques don’t know what the future holds.
Delphine,
Thanks for this lovely supportive post…It’s wonderful for fellow job seekers to see the positive side of what your life transition has included — and other areas of life in which you’ve found success.
Keep doing all your doing, and it certainly seems likely that the right job for you may also surface.
Good luck and all the Best,
Chandlee
Donald,
Sorry to hear that you are having a challenging job search and experience with unemployment. That’s no fun, especially given all the work you’ve put into your career and education.
Based on what you’ve told me, I say you’re best chance of landing a great job comes from looking busy. In the U.S., it’s very easy to file the paperwork necessary to become a sole proprietor and launch a small consulting practice of your own. If I were you, I’d figure out a business or services with minimal start-up costs. Get a few clients, add that work to your resume, and keep up the search. It’s a funny thing: when you simply look busy, you seem to attract more attention from employers who may be potentially interested.
Good luck in your search.
All the Best,
Chandlee
Delphine & Chandee:
Thank you so much for your encouraging words. . .it’s greatly appreciated. It’s a much needed morale booster. It’s a scary time for me and for millions others in the U.S., however, I am hopeful something will come up shortly.
Best,
Donald
Thanks Donald. We’ll be thinking of you.
Donald
I too resigned from a position I held for 7 long yrs. due to a hostile enviornment. When I feel out applications I get nerveous when asked the ? why did you leave your last job?. I never turn in the application. What am I suppose too say?
Oh Rhonda,
Statistics show that — on average — people get fired once in their careers. Given the frequent changes in the workplace today — 7 years is a very long time to stay with one employer. And if you resigned from the job, you were able to choose to leave which is a very good thing.
When they ask why you resigned from the job, I think you can simply state — to pursue new opportunities — and let people know that the rigors of your job prevented you from doing a proper search. Ideally, you should have one or two former colleagues who can provide a reference for you about your work at the company. Don’t focus on the negative. (Did you know that university professors often take sabbaticals of up to a year off to do special projects every seven years?) Why shouldn’t people be able to leave their jobs to pursue new options if what they are doing isn’t working for them? Just stay positive, and don’t bad mouth the former employer.
Don’t let the past stop you from turning in your application and having a happier work environment in the future.
Good luck — and all the best,
Chandlee
The same with me. It was a very hostile environment and that was 3 years ago and I still do not have a job. I think after 3 years looking it is time to lie as to why you have such a gap in your resume. They are sure asking why and it seems no one on the internet has an answer as to what to say when you have been out of work that long due to the economy Is anyone here able to answer that question when out of work for 3 years not enough money for gas to volunteer, have been networking, had to file for bankruptcy during that time. Please be real with people out here suffering and trying to answer that question. The old ones do not work at this point so come up with something else or are you without words on the subject also. We are doomed yet in desperate need of help. There are many like me out there.
To Faye
Have you been in school during those three years off, if you have children did you watch them during the time you were off. Because, if so you can use that as being a babysitter, or pursuit in a better education.
Children are grown, (I will be 60 next month), no money for school, can’t take out loan for school since I have a bankruptcy, plus not enough money for gas. I don’t think you really understand, THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH MONEY TO EVEN DRIVE AND GO TO SCHOOL. I had to borrow money from family to pay on my house etc. We used what money we had for bills and food.
Faye,
Sorry to hear that you are in stuff a rough spot. Have you checked out services and available programs from your local United Way and other community agencies.
In the U.S., the AARP has some employment programs and resources for adults over 55. If you are here, you may want to look into that. Keep up the application process and good luck to you.
Chandlee
My husband was forced to resign after failing to report to his supervisor when he got a DUI. This was a really great local government job with good benefits, that most people would never leave voluntarily. The supervisor really hated to see him go and offered to let him resign, rather than terminating him. How should he reply when asked why he resigned by his next potential employer?
I think he should just be honest. He can say he had a few drinks but didn’t realize that he was intoxicated and made a stupid mistake that he regrets. As long as he can say that he had great reviews from his previous employer and they didn’t want to see him go but it was just policy I think he should be fine. People make mistakes it’s what they do after that counts.
I left a job that had a hostile working invite, and I didn’t give the appropriate two-weeks notice. My boss went out to drink with my subordinate (he did this often, among other things), proceeded to get drunk and told him he was planning to set me up the next day in hopes that I would quit. TOLD him this, no lie (eventually my subordinate told me what was said but not until a few years later, unfortunately). So the next day, I get called into HR thinking I was getting a promotion and boy was I in for a surprise! There was my boss sitting with HR and a list of exaggerated and even blatant lies of things I did with warnings that “if I did this even one more time, I’d be fired” (Note: He was telling me for weeks how he was going to promote me). I was having issues with my boss for a few weeks that I won’t get into on here, and it had nothing to do with my work performance which was very good. But I was so upset at that moment in the HR office that I pushed the paper back at him and said I am not signing this, “I quit!” and I walked out. My boss won. He set out to get me to quit and I did, unfortunately. I had also let HR know I was considering action against my boss. I was there for many, many years! I had a wonderful job and was so upset by what happened. Dumb of me to walk out, I know. Can’t change the past. I did try to get my job back a few months later because I truly loved what I did even though my boss had unethical practices, and HR considered it for a few weeks before coming back to me with a “no”. They eventually let my boss go, but I am “no longer rehireable”. After years of dedication to the company with really good performance reviews, and larger than typical raises and bonuses, I am no longer considered an asset of that company and more of a liability. I am not sure if they tell reference checks that I am not rehireable but if they do, that could impact my ability to find a job (I have been interviewing for a new job, and have made it to several rounds before being told I didn’t get the job…). Is there anything I can do to help me address this with potential employers or should I just let it go and hope the “not rehireable” issue doesn’t come up? I have peer references and client references but not a supervisor reference. Thank you.
Hi Tara,
That sounds like a very difficult situation. By any chance did you save copies of your performance reviews? Either way, I suggest that your next step be to verify what is currently being said by your references when the company is called…and what you could potentially do to fix the situation. In many places, there is legal terminology that is required when references are checked.
At Work Coach Cafe, our visitors come from all over the world — so I’m not sure what the laws are in your country — and even if I was, this site does not provide legal advice.
It may be a good idea for you to consult with an attorney — many offer free initial sessions, and if not you might seek out a free legal clinic if you qualify for services.
Regardless of whether the leadership has changed with the company, you may be able to sit down with current leadership and HR and figure out a situation. The company may not want you back, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t want you to be ineligible for unemployment anywhere else either. And they certainly would not want a lawsuit.
If your former colleague is now willing to share details of what happened in the past with the former supervisor, that may be helpful.
An attorney or mediator would likely be able to provide you with advice and legal counsel on how to proceed in this area.
Be very careful with how you approach the company if you choose to go this route — you want to keep your overall tone positive as it is important that you move forward.
Good luck and all the best,
Chandlee
HI, I JUST WANT TO ASK F U CAN HELP ME ON MY PROBLEM. I NEED THE BEST ANSWER THAT I CAN SAY DURING MY JOB INTERVIEW. MY PROBLEM IS THIS, I RESIGNED FROM MY JOB SINCE AUGUST OF LAST YEAR BECAUSE I HAPPEN TO HAD A CHRONIC PROBLEM ON THE PORTION OF MY NECK SOMEWHAT SIMILAR TO A NECK ARTHRITIS WHICH CAUSES TO LOST CONCENTRATION AT WORK DUE TO SEVER PAIN AND SWELLING IN MY NECK DURING THE COURSE OF MY WORK AS AN ANALYST IN A BANK. I WAS ADVISED BY DOCTOR TO UNDERGO MEDICATION AS WELL AS PHYSICAL THERAPY AND REHABILITATION FOR SEVERAL MONTHS BECAUSE OF THE SEVERE MUSCLE STRAIN OR SPASM IN MY NECK. I DECIDED TO QUIT MY JOB BECAUSE IN OUR DEPARTMENT WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE A MEDICAL LEAVE FOR A LONGER PERIOD NOT UNLESS YOUR MEDICAL CONDITION IS TOTALLY LIFE THREATENING OR RARELY SEVERE, SO I DECIDED TO QUIT BECAUSE I WANTED TO REST FOR A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME AND SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT AS WELL. BECAUSE IT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO IMPROVE MY CONDITION WHILE WORKING DURING THE TREATMENT PERIOD. NOW, IM OK AND COMPLETELY TREATED. I WANTED TO APPLY AGAIN FOR WORK. SO CAN U ADVISE ME ON WHAT SHOULD BE THE BEST ANSWER THAT I COULD GIVE DURING THE INTERVIEW ON WHY DID I LEFT MY PREVIOUS JOB? SHOULD I TELL THEM THE TRUTH OR WHAT REASON COULD I BEST GIVE TO THEM FOR ME TO BE CONSIDERED AGAIN IN THE JOB. IM VERY MUCH WORRIED THAT I COULD NOT BE GIVEN ANOTHER CHANCE TO HAVE A JOB. PLEASE HELP ME ON THIS.
Hi Arthur,
I believe we’ve already answered this question in the past. Please check your past messages from us on this topic as we’ve provided you with potential strategies.
If you are in the U.S., I also recommend that you contact the Job Accommodation Network, a service for people with disabilities provided by the U.S. Department of Labor. They can provide you with free information.
Good luck and all the best,
Chandlee
My question is do i tell HR the truth for having to leave after 13years? I have recently found out that i must relocate out of state to take care of my aging parents, I have a short time frame to do so, a couple months , I am attempting a transfer, but dont see it happening, I love my job and dont want to leave but my family needs me, i have exhausted all other avenues , tring to get them to move closer to me ….etc
I know the job market is crazy right now , Is it better to be just completely honest with HR , “My Gut feeling is Yes” But then how does that look on a resume?, I have resumes out , but of course to no avail as of yet, Its a tough situation, But it is something i must do , There is no one else that can take care of them and manage their affairs, And i just cant do it from 3 states away , They aren’t the most accepting people to strangers in there home ,
Thanks
Hi Jason,
Yes, absolutely. If you have been with the company for 13 years and have been a loyal employee, there may even be options for you to work remotely. In the U.S., there are also government family leave programs that may apply here. Look into all of them before you resign, and be honest and upfront. Tell them you do not wish to go, and ask if there are any options available to you.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Best,
Chandlee
hi, i resigined my job after 10 months due to work pressure… so what should i want to tell when i attend an new job
Hi Vignesh,
If you are looking in a new industry or applying to a different type of job, the short answer is to say that the job was not an optimal fit for you — and that you are now applying for jobs with companies that seem to be a better fit for you.
Don’t dwell on the situation or call it stressful, simply say you were looking for a change and felt you owed it to your employer to be focused — and that you realized you needed to not work there in order to be able to focus on a job search.
Good luck!
Best,
Chandlee
I left my job november 2011. It had started several months before, my heart was out of the company. Our managers had told us we would be outsourcing our data entry duties in our AP department, and that triggered a whole wave of people leaving in our department, even though we were assured we would all have jobs as long as we did well. We also got a new lead shortly before that which complicated things. We were also having poor client managment issues ; our managers told us we had created our own monsters; we were doing extra things for clients not in the contract and it we were not getting paid extra for it. Our department was losing money thus we had to outsource. I along with practically the whole dept. including our lead left within 5 months of eachother. Everyone else is not part time. I have said on interviews:
Yes, were outsourcing most of AP job duties. I had a choice to make if I wanted to stay where there was an unstable client relations base (thin ice with a couple of our bigger clients), and little career growth opportunities. Since I needed something more stable and better growth opportunities I chose to look for a new position. If not I wouldn’t be here today. Is this ok? I read this in a interview book to respond something like this. I dont know though after reading some of the posts on here. Any thoughts?
Hi Taja,
I think your current response is a good one. I would further strengthen by not talking about unstable client base and little growth opportunities.
Here’s an alternate way to phrase this:
I left because the company was in a transitional phase both in terms of operations and sales. My department had notified us that they were outsourcing many of our data responsibilities to a different department. I also knew the company was not meeting revenue expectations and was there were more employees working in part-time jobs than in full-time positions. I watched as many of my teammates left — including my wonderful supervisor, and ultimately I decided to leave to focus on other full-time positions as it seemed likely that positions would be eliminated in the near future.
This is what brings me here today, though I am especially interested in your company because —–
Good luck and all the best,
Chandlee
Thank you, I love that response, sounds much better! The wording is great, I have an interview Friday, I can try out this new approach. Thank you again.
Hi Taja,
Good luck with your interview!
All the Best,
Chandlee
Hi there,
i am not sure how to ask question on this website so I am posting it here:
I joined a renowned MNC 6 months back, the problem is they relocated me to a different city. I accepted at that time thinking I would easily adjust to the new environment however that wasn’t the case. I was left with no personal life and due to working days (6 days a week) I couldn’t travel back to my family either plus work wasn’t enjoyable as there was no support from management or my supervisors who by the way themselves were in a different city.
The problems just added to my depression and mental unsatisfaction, i didn’t feel any new learnings being added to me and i was given a time frame of 2 whole years to be stuck in the same situation. I started looking for new jobs got interviews but couldn’t go because again the interviews were in different city and I had no time, mental state or physical ability to go to them. I was trapped in the environment and finally after giving it a thought I resigned from the job.
The problem is due to all the mental blocking I explained all these things in full honesty to my supervisors and got the resignation. Now as I come out of it I realize it wasn’t probably the best move I could make and that too with my first ever job with such a great opportunity.
Was it a correct decision?
What am i supposed to answer to prospective employers in interviews if I get any?
How this decision is going to affect my future career?
Dear Advice Seeker,
You are not alone. Thousands of other employees have found themselves in this situation before, and it’s a tough situation. Recognizing and realizing that the job and location was not a fit for you, being honest with your current employers and resigning before you were too far into the training — all of this is noble and good. You saved yourself from potentially poor performance reviews and — from what it sounds like — an extended period of personal unhappiness.
All of this is good for you.
Difficult. Not fun. Hard. But it sounds like it was the right decision for the time and the situation. Don’t look back and dwell too much on what you did wrong, focus on identifying what you need out of a work situation in the future. And start applying for opportunities that can provide you with this. You may want to consider meeting with a career counselor or employment professional who can help you frame what happened in a positive way.
In my humble opinion, this decision will only affect your future career as you let it. I think with care — if you apply to the right opportunities and network effectively, you will ultimately find the job that fits you, in the right location.
Good luck and let us know if you have additional questions,
Chandlee
hi! i just want to seek advise or help from you. i mistakingly resigned from my work in a bank since last year due to personal reasons. until now im having a hard time finding a job. what would be the best answer that i could give during my interview because now im desperately looking again for a job. i always been saying that i would want to seek a better opportunity in a better company thats why i left my last job and for several months ive been helping temporarily in our family business. am i wrong in saying that in the interview. is that probably the reason why i wasnt been considered in the job. what is the best possible answer that you think is the best answer that i should give. hoping for your reply. thanks and more power!
Marlet,
Never say you left a job for a better job in a better company — it may lead people to think you won’t put effort into a job you don’t like and that you are very critical of companies. (It may be okay that you are a critic, but I don’t advise saying this — ever — in the initial stages of searching for a job.)
I recommend you simply say, “I left to work in the family business because I was needed. The situation has since resolved itself, and I’m eager to get back to work full-time. Please let me know if you have any questions.”
Good luck,
Chandlee
hi! i just want to seek advise or help from you. i mistakingly resigned from my work in a bank since last year due to personal reasons. until now im having a hard time finding a job. what would be the best answer that i could give during my interview because now im desperately looking again for a job. i always been saying that i would want to seek a better opportunity in a better company thats why i left my last job and for several months ive been helping temporarily in our family business. am i wrong in saying that in the interview. is that probably the reason why i wasnt been considered in the job. what is the best possible answer that you think is the best answer that i should give. hoping for your reply. thanks and more power!
I left a job that had a hostile working invite,due to work pressure and I didn’t give the appropriate two-weeks notice. So the next day, I get called into HR thinking I was getting a promotion There was my boss and the CEO (his mother) sitting with HR and a list of exaggerated and even blatant lies of things I did with warnings that not true “if I did this even one more time, I’d be fired”. I never had a issues with my boss until a couple of weeks ago when he stop passing down work info to me, but to the other guy,seemed likely that positions i was doing would be eliminated and it had nothing to do with my work performance which was very good. But I was so upset at that moment in the HR office i just quit.. I’m pitting a new appreciation in and it ask why did i leave what can i say
Emanuel,
You can simply say you left to pursue other opportunities.
Good luck,
Chandlee
hi! just want to seek your professional advice on how should i best answer the interview questions on tell something about yourself. i had some work experience before in the financial industry and i would want to seek opportunities in other companies. what would be the way on how i could best narrate my answer with that particular question. should i start with introducing my weaknesses and strengths or what? could you help me on this. thank you so much. i wish you could me help me be successful in my job interview. god bless!
Joel,
The key to answering the tell me about yourself question is not to begin by summarizing what’s on your resume but rather to focus on something about you that relates to the job — e.g. Since the age of ten, I’ve been following stocks. Your answer should be memorable, genuine and relate directly to the job. I recommend you see interviewing resources over at Job-Hunt.org
Good luck and please keep us posted.
All the Best,
Chandlee
i want to know how to answer this question ,
Why you want leave last organization ?
RELOCATION
i resigned my job because of RELOCATION i m the only one responsible person for my family i have to take care of my parent .. ..
so i needs to know how to answer this question ..
Hi Imran,
I recommend you answer the question “why did you leave your last employer” simply by saying “I moved so that I would be closer to my family.”
This is a good answer, because it shows that you didn’t leave because of trouble with the employer.
Good luck and all the best,
Chandlee
Hi,
I am changing my job with in a year. I am sure I will be asked question about why am I leaving my current job with in a year. Main reason for me to change a job is Money. I am planning to buy a house this year & hence need a high salary figure to apply for a loan.
I would be moving into same role but into a different company so guess I cannot mention that I am changing to pursue different opportunities.
Any suggestion on how to answer with out mentioning the actual reason?
Rajesh,
That seems like a lot of work. Is there anyway you can simply work within your company to get your salary increased instead?
Good luck and all the best,
Chandlee
Hi, I have a question but i want to put it in a form of a scenario.
Say, In february 2012 you apply for a job you are really interested in while working for ABC company. You are called for an interview in April and it goes successful. Now you are waiting for final confirmation as to whether you get the job or not. Unfortunately in May, you do something bad in your company and you are fired.
If you are given an offer from this new company anytime after you are fired from ABC, is it necessary to disclose to them that you are no longer with ABC, and you were fired for doing something bad?
This is my situation and i am really confused. If i get this new job i would like to start with all honesty, but i fear telling them what has happened now could make me loose the job. Truth is, i confided in a senior manager of the wrong i did, but he gave me up.
Please, i need your help and advise GREATLY!
Hi Tony,
I recommend you speak with an employment attorney and seek out their advice to do on how to handle this situation. Often initial consultations are free. Take advantage of this and do it now. They will be able to tell you what to share — and what not to share — and can give you a sense of laws designed to protect you (and your employer) in your area.
Good luck and I wish you all the best. Let us know what happens. (And congratulations on your new job offer.)
Best,
Chandlee
Hi,
I just quit my job rather badly. I was a teacher at a private daycare and quit because my boss was involved in illegal activity and she also did not pay me on time causing me to be unable to pay my bills on time. I had to call the IRS, the department of labor and child services. I know I’m not going to get a good reference. How do I spin that?
Hi Tina,
Oh I am sorry to hear that. Keep the dates of employment on your resume. When you have an interview, say that you left because they were unable to pay you on time — and you need to be paid on time so that you can pay your bills prompty. If they ask for references, see if you can gather some co-workers and parents who can speak on your behalf as a character reference.
Above all, avoid using adjectives to describe the situation. Simply state the facts.
Keep going.
All the Best,
Chandlee
hi! just want to seek your professional advice on my problem. i’ve been working in a bank for several years now and i’ve been very close to my boss and some of my colleagues in the company. i even get promoted from my position because of my dedication and hardwork and passion at work, my working relationship with my colleagues are doing great, but lately things have changed and they began to felt cold on me. i really don’t know the reason behind it but i suspect that they are doubting on my closeness to the bosses and they even suspect that i got promoted only because of my closeness to my superior and not because that i am deserving. now these things kept bothering me at work and they even started bullying me at work. im getting confused and i really don’t know what to do now. i love my job and i want to stay but these things are bothering my mind. now im thinking of leaving my job just to resolve this issue which in my own conscience i never had expected that these situation would come. am i right in making a decision to leave my job or whats the best thing that i should do? i hope you can give me some pointers or solutions to my problem. thanks and god bless!
Art,
I recommend that you work hard to identify what has caused this change in office culture. If you have a mentor or someone you can trust, you should ask them directly — and get their feedback on what you can do differently (if appropriate). Sometimes small things can shift inside organizational cultures and make a big difference (positive or negative). Perhaps there was a misunderstanding that you were not aware of.
There are a lot of good resources online about how to deal with workplace bullies and stand up for yourself; you may want to seek these out, too. But be careful how you do it, at the end of the day it is important to have a good reference for yourself to leave with.
In the interim, it may be a good time to start exploring other opportunities outside the organization.
Good luck to you,
Chandlee
Hi, My situation is a little different as I was employed as a consultant with no benefits for 1.5 years and then became too trusting with employers as I revealed a medical condition which I felt may be causing difficulty with my work performance. Well, as soon as I disclosed this medical condition thinking this would help me keep my job, the supervisor revealed this to his supervisor and was advised to lay me off 2 weeks and go for a fitness for duty test with occupational services. This was humiliating to say the least and I had this gut feeling this was their way of getting me to quit. Well, knowing the end result was a lose lose I decided to resign instead of be fired. Meanwhile, knowing this was a process to an end of employment, I fear I will have no references to pull from as people talk and may try to sabotage future employment for me. I was even advised not to disclose where I am applying from a colleague who worked with this agency 10years saying “they are cut throat there”. Any advice on what to say to employers who ask why I quit if this question ever comes up. I currently have one employer offering me a similar position thinking I am still employed as a consultant as at the time I applied I was still employed. I fear they may find out I quit and this could jeopardize my new job. I learned not reveal personal information to staff or supervisors as this truly has cost me financially and emotionally.
If you are in the U.S., I recommend you contact the Job Accommodation Network and ask for their help in how to handle this. The Job Accommodation network is a service provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Good luck and all the best,
Chandlee
HI! JUST WANT TO ASK IF RESIGNING IN A JOB DUE TO HEALTH REASON BUT HAS ALREADY RECOVERED FROM THAT ILLNESS WILL MAKE AN IMPACT ON YOUR APPLICATION FOR ANOTHER EMPLOYMENT IN THE FUTURE? CAN COMPANIES IMPOSED A BAN ON NOT ACCEPTING APPLICANTS WHO HAS HEALTH PROBLEMS IN THE PAST? COZ’ I TRIED APPLYING IN SEVERAL COMPANIES BUT NONE OF THEM HAD MADE A RESPONSE OR FEEDBACK ON ME. IS IT BECAUSE OF THAT REASON OR SOMETHING ELSE. I HAVE A MEDICAL PROOF THAT WOULD GUARANTEE MY HEALTH CONDITIONS THAT IM ALREADY TREATED OR HAS FULLY RECOVERED AND THAT IM FIT TO WORK AGAIN FOR WHATEVER JOB IT IS. CAN I ASK FOR YOUR OPINION OR ADVISE ON THIS MATTER. I WOULD WANT TO HEAR YOUR PROFESSIONAL ADVISE ON THIS. THANKS AND GOD BLESS!
Hi Joel,
You don’t need to reveal too much information. You can say you left your previous position for family reasons that have since been resolved. If you are in the U.S., I recommend you contact the Job Accommodation Network (you can find it online) and ask them for advice on how to phrase this situation in your application process. Your past situation should not limit your ability to find work in the future — but you do need to be careful on how you phrase it. Good luck!
All the Best,
Chandlee