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superman180 · New User Joined: 08 Mar 2009 Posts: 5 Career Advice: +0/-0

I quit my job because my boss was harassing me about not working so I quit because I knew I was doing my work what should I tell my potential new employer about me quitting my job

Pauloz · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 3:10 am Post subject:

superman180

Don't duck the question, but you don't have to be too specific, either. You can say, rightly, that you didn't think you were going to get any opportunities at that job, and you felt that your work was under appreciated, and that was an issue of dispute.

It would be fair to say that you didn't believe you were going to achieve your career goals, or get any promotions, in that environment.

A few important things:

1. Don't, despite obvious provocation, badmouth your former boss. It looks bad.

2. Don't get into any level of detail regarding any issues you had with the former employer. It causes the interviewers to ask more questions, and it can make your answer get tangled. Steer clear of all details. You can say that you just weren't getting chances, if asked.

3. Emphasize the positive factors in leaving that job. You're looking for opportunities, obviously, after a job that wasn't providing opportunities.

4. Remember that the interviewers can check anything you say. Don't say anything which can be easily contradicted by your former employer. If you've said there was a "dispute", they can't argue with that, they can only give their version of the story.

5. Don't say anything that will give that former employer any chance to cause you any further problems.

Remember also that at interview level, they're already considering you as a possible employee. So you've already got some credibility with the new employer. That's what you need to reinforce, answering this question. If the old employer sounds irrational or like they're overreacting, it counts in your favor. Stay cool, and you'll be cool.

Good luck,

Mark McCormick · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 4:33 pm Post subject:

Hi superman180,

Pauloz is giving you some excellent advice here. She is right in saying not to badmouth your past employer. Your answer can be as simple as we had a difference of opinion on some projects we worked on together and you felt you would not get a fair shake with him/her in the future. Therefore, you decided to look for new employment and have learned a valuable lesson. For all future jobs, you will make certain that you and the boss are on the same page at the start of the job on what the expectations are on a project.

The key here is to just show how you learned something from the situation and how it will help you will all future jobs. It is even ok and a good idea to admit some wrong-doing or minor mistake on your part. This sounds more human and interviewers do not expect you to be perfect. Interviewers also know that people get fired and quit jobs for all kinds of reasons: fair, unfair, and otherwise. Finally, don't make too much of this question or any other question. If you don't make it into a larger issue, it will not become one. Instead, address the best you can and move on.

Best,
Mark McCormick
http://www.interviewquestionsandanswers.org

uttam_giet

This question looks very simple but it’s not that easy to answer it. What ever may be the reason always be truthful. Never bad-mouth your previous company, superiors and co-workers because it will definitely sound negative on your part. If you do so, the interviewer may think you may talk bad about his company the next time you’re looking for another job.

Also never speak a lie if you were fired. A background check will easily reveal everything. Try to deflect the reason from you personally. If your firing was the result of a takeover, merger, division wide layoff, etc. tell them you were fired not for your mistakes or non performance but for the above reasons. If you were fired for not adhering to a company policy, tell the interviewer that you were asked to leave for violating a company policy which you felt was not communicated to you properly. Saying the truth will never let you down but will create a good impression on the interviewer.

There are many wrong answers to this question such as:

- I hate my job, my company and my boss.

- I’m sick of working there.

- I need more money.

- My co-workers never supported me and were jealous for my work.

- I was working with a small company and now looking forward to work with a bigger one.

- My company makes me work for more additional hours and was paying on a low scale.

At the end of the day, it’s highly recommended to give a good answer that leaves a positive impression while displaying good traits. Some good answers are as follows:

1) I was looking for a position like this which is an excellent match for my skills and experience and I am not able to fully utilize them in my present job as there is very limited scope of growth. I am interested in a new challenge and an opportunity to use my technical skills and experience in a different capacity than I have in the past.

2) The company where I was working is a very large company and hence it’s difficult to do and learn different tasks. We had routine work that never changed. So I am looking for a work in an environment where I can utilize more of my skills.

For mor answers and interview questions, visit :

http://uttambpt.blogspot.com

Guest · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2009 12:40 pm Post subject:

Never bad mouth your former employer. The reality is that you wouldn't be interviewing if you where happy at your company. The interviewer knows that.

They are not looking at the question itself but how you are answering it. Just stay professional. "The position gave me some great experience but wasn't taking me down the career path that I want." The interviewers next question will be "what path do you want to go down?" Now you have the chance to highlight your skills that make you right for the position.

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