Quote:
Originally Posted by bluecuracao
(Post 328346)
I hate that question! Do they want you to be tactful, or honest?? Then of course, your day is ruined wondering which one it was. I also hate:
Are you willing to work overtime?
Evil fuckers.
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Why did you leave your last job?
Ooooh. That can be an uncomfortable question. Assuming you've nothing ... actionable to hide, tell the truth. Look, the person asking the question knows you've parted ways with the last company. Everybody knows that. And everybody knows that had things been just peachy keen, you'd still be there. This answer has some... what ... difficult news in it, news that there was a disagreement between you and your former employer. There's no hiding it. So now that the "secret" is "out" you can quit sweating it.
Think about this too: the interviewer probably wants to hire you. They're at least hopeful that you'll be "the one". They want to hear your answer in a positive light. They want the old company's loss to be their gain. There are ways, acceptable, ethical ways to phrase the reason(s) for your departure.
One emphasis I like to make is "It was a mutual decision. They wanted more X and I wanted more Y (where Y is strikingly similar to the situation I'm applying for, not coincidentally)." If it was a "layoff" I include the company's financial reasons--implicate them and their responsibility for the change. It's important not to badmouth the old company. It's also important not to overtalk this on. Quick and to the point and then shut up and let the interviewer move on.
This can be a difficult question, but it can also present a big opportunity for you to impress the interviewer with your positive potential. It has downside risks too--most especially if you lie. Don't lie. I know you knew that already, really. Tell the truth in a favorable way to your receptive listener, don't worry, and then move on.
I've answered this question a lot of times, and though uncomfortable, it's not fatal. If the interviewer doesn't want to accept that you've lost a job in the past, you probably don't want to work for them anyway.
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