"Why did you leave/Why are you leaving your most recent job?"
My reasons are...extremely negative. I walked in today to see my coworker sitting on her ass on a personal call, once again, not doing her job. A regular customer came in immediately after I got to work (I hadn't even had the chance to take my jacket off), and she didn't bother even attempting to get off her ass to take care of them, and as usual, what they needed, which is her responsibility, was not in stock. This is par for the course. She basically gets paid to do nothing. She gets the company car for personal use, which includes carting her kids all over the state. I get griped at asking when I'm going to be at work, when the agreed upon time is 12:30 because I have class most mornings. I can't even take the time to get lunch some days.
Any mention of this to the owner falls on deaf ears. As well, he has pretty much disengaged himself from the business, and doesn't even advertise. I almost think he's using the place as a tax write off.
The industry is also drying up very quickly, and corporate now seems to solely exist to squeeze every drop of blood they can out of franchises.
My problem is that I tend to be a little too honest sometimes, so I'm just looking for a little guidance in how to approach this question. This place is draining my will to live, so I have been looking for something else recently. I almost just packed up my laptop and other belongings and walked right out this afternoon. I can't handle this shit anymore, but I feel that I do not interview well.
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[–] sakuramboo 0 points 40 points 40 points (+40|-0) ago
"I'm looking for better opportunities to grow my skill sets. Unfortunately, my current company is stagnant and won't be expanding any time soon and I know my current skills can be better applied elsewhere."
[–] [deleted] 0 points 7 points 7 points (+7|-0) ago
[–] sakuramboo 0 points 3 points 3 points (+3|-0) ago
Yes, it's quite stock. But, the goal is to get back the hiring manager/HR dept. and get to the person you would be working under.
I don't see many small businesses asking why you want to leave a company. They are small because they know damn well why you are leaving (for the same reason they left and started their small business).
[–] VACWS 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
This is actually an excellent response, maybe throw in something about changing culture and chemistry not being good.
[–] anonnynonny ago (edited ago)
Just my opinion, neither of those points are a good idea...
Citing "changing culture" will be interpreted as you not being able to adapt to change.
"Bad chemistry" indicates you have issues working with difficult people.
Long story short, those will be interpreted as problems with your behavior, not the companies or coworkers.
[–] Firevine [S] ago
Stagnant is a...nice way to put it. Collapsing in on itself would be another.
It is something I can work in though. The owner has said himself that the only other upward movement I could have is replacing him, and that's not in the cards. I used to want to own one of these stores, but knowing what I know now....shit no.
[–] Boukert 0 points 10 points 10 points (+10|-0) ago
Don't be negative about your current employer, this will give a negative impression on your interview and no one wants to hire a negative person to function in their team. Twist it to positive things instead, "looking for a new challenge" , moving to "the next step in your career", you reached the limits of your capabilities within the current company and looking for a place to further develop. Somethings along these lines.
Another tip for interviews; try to be "yourself" and try to not put to much pressure on the meeting. It's mostly about personal connection. Most interviews that are succesfull are about other things then "the job" about 80% of the interview. Try to be positive and find something you both have in common.
[–] [deleted] 0 points 3 points 3 points (+3|-0) ago
[–] wtffuxor ago
this so much this! not giving a fuck has always resulted in a job offer
[–] Firevine [S] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
I'll try! I get pretty nervous at times.
[–] baneofretail 0 points 4 points 4 points (+4|-0) ago
If you have access to industry trends and the company's P&L statements you can discuss how the company and industry as a whole is declining, that you have made every attempt to assist in turning the business around, but the owner is disengaged from outside input. You understand that the place you're interviewing at has been around for ##years and is in a growing industry that you would like to be a part of.
[–] kneo24 0 points 3 points 3 points (+3|-0) ago
You can be honest without divulging all of the details. Tell them that while you appreciate the experience and opportunities you have gained there, you feel it's time for you to move on, get a change of scenery, and hopefully expand on what you know and learn new things. I bet most or entirely all of it is true to some degree, so you're technically not lying.
It's a bad faith question anyway and I hate it when people ask it in hopes you say disparaging things about your former employer. If former employers don't want bad things being said about them, maybe they should stop being shitty places to work.
[–] Firevine [S] ago
Huh... I kind of figured as such, but I've only really ever pre-interviewed people, and that was for this job. I guess it's more of a trap question then, eh?
[–] [deleted] 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
[–] Rawscent ago
I would generally agree with you but I know there are some good companies out there. It's just really, really hard to get a job with them. Employees never leave and everyone's mostly happy and successful.
[–] WEHRMACHT_BITCHES_AT 2 points 2 points 4 points (+4|-2) ago
She's black isn't she.
[–] Firevine [S] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Hah, no, just fat and lazy, and probably has an IQ hovering around 85. Her only prior job that I know of was basically "Put item A in box B".
[–] ratki11er 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
I personally have been in this situation twice now. My go to is the "It's not a good cultural fit at my current employer" When they follow it up asking what kind of culture you are looking for that's your opportunity to take your potentially negative reasons for leaving and turn them into positives for yourself. Employers like hearing from potential employees that they want accountability, that they want to work in a culture where showing up to work excited about your job is the norm. Basically take everything that you hate about your last job, and tell employers you are looking for the opposite.
[–] lord_nougat 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Because FUCK YOU!
Now are you gonna fucking hire me or what?! I got places to be!
[–] Firevine [S] ago
I'm kind of an impatient person, and I almost want to say this sometimes! Let's fucking get on with it!
[–] lord_nougat ago
I always do. I hate interviewing so much.