Comments on: Best Practices for Job Seekers

By: How to Explain Why You Are Changing Jobs

How to Explain Why You Are Changing Jobs — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 16:28:18 +0000

[…] This article from CrucialSkills.com has more good tips on dealing with questions over leaving a past job. […]

By: Teresa Miele

Teresa Miele — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 16:56:27 +0000

I agree with Kelli’s more specific way of how to handle in the interview. The “tweak” I would give is saying AND instead of BUT. I would also stay from saying it was best for “everyone” to move on. This gives the impression that there was a problem.
It is honest/truthful that you are looking for a new opportunity that allows you to use your skills and knowledge …perhaps you are looking for more of a challenge or to move “up” in your career….interest in a new industry….
I’m an HR professional and always appreciate it when interviewees know what they are looking for in their next job–what are you bringing to our company. If you trash your previous employer or give the impression that there are problems….it gives me the impression we would be hiring a problem.

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 23:08:44 +0000

Thanks David for your great response and information.

By: Sharon

Sharon — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 20:52:33 +0000

In reply to Tony. Because the victim of the harassment can't say anything about it to a potential new employer because they will assume that the victim was partly responsible for being victimized.

By: Tony

Tony — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 20:35:13 +0000

In reply to Sharon. In what way, Sharon, is the harassment victim "re-victimized"? I don't understand your comment.

By: Sharon

Sharon — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 18:42:26 +0000

Thus, the harassment victim is re-victimized in the next job interview. Anyone else have a problem with this besides me?

By: Val

Val — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 18:21:24 +0000

In reply to Kelli Glasser. Thank you, Kelli. I too missed a direct answer by David, although everything he said is indeed important. The question seemed to me not how to steer the interview so that those waters aren't entered, but what to do once entered - what to do when the prospective employer actually asks that question. Your response illuminates this situation in a helpful way. Much appreciated!

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 15:12:59 +0000

It was implied but not directly stated. Think of a good plausible excuse for leaving, then lie. Whatever you do DO NOT tell them you left because you were harassed. Say NOTHING negative about the company you left or its employees. Get a good reference letter from someone at the old company so the new company doesn’t go looking and get one from the harrassing person. I have been in a similar circumstance and was advised to do the same thing. It worked. It left a bad taste in my mouth, but I needed the job. It is sad that one has to lie or be preceived as a trouble maker, but it is still true and you just have to deal with it or keep looking for a more enlightened employer.

By: Andreas

Andreas — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 15:10:55 +0000

In reply to Karen. You are not alone.

By: Kelli Glasser

Kelli Glasser — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 15:02:04 +0000

All of those suggestions are excellent for any interviewee, but as a business owner who has hired a lot of people, if I asked that question and it wasn’t answered directly, I would have to assume in the absence of information that there is a negative aspect to the candidate. I would suggest to an applicant in this situation saying simply that you enjoyed working there for as long as you did and are grateful for the opportunity there, but in recent times you began to feel it was no longer the right fit for you and you decided it would be best for everyone to move on. It’s a satisfactory direct answer, and many interviewers will correctly read between the lines and appreciate that you didn’t outwardly trash your former employer.