How to Honestly Answer This Tricky Job Interview Question

How to Honestly Answer This Tricky Job Interview Question How to Honestly Answer This Tricky Job Interview Question You’re in the middle of a job interview, and- so far- things have been going well. You made some friendly small talk with the interviewer, and you’ve confidently answered every single question he’s thrown your way. Then comes the one you were dreading: Why did you leave your last job? “Because my boss was a terrible monster!” that little voice inside your head is screaming as you nervously bite your lip and desperately try to come up with what  to say in response. It’s a tricky job interview question. We’re told to be honest in job interviews, yet we’re also advised not to badmouth our previous supervisors or employers. So, what do you do? How do you handle this sticky situation without painting yourself in a really negative light? Here’s how to answer this tricky job interview question and talk about your last job in a way that’s positive and professional: 1. Start  with the positives. Even if your boss was terrible and the job was a soul-sucking nightmare, you probably still extracted something from that experience- whether it was a new relevant skill or a great bond with your fellow coworkers. When talking about a more delicate situation like why you jumped ship from your last role, it’s best to start with something valuable and beneficial that you were able to take away from that position. Sure, call it sugarcoating. But, leading with the positives helps to reaffirm that you’re not out to throw your previous employer under the bus. What to say: “I’m really grateful for my time in that role, as it gave me the opportunity to increase my marketing knowledge while forging some lifelong bonds with my colleagues.” 2. Be  honestsort of. With that preface out of the way, it’s time to touch on why you actually left that position. You want to do this in an honest and upfront manner, without sounding like you’re highlighting every single flaw of your past boss or company. It might sound tricky- but, rest assured, it’s not impossible. For example, maybe your boss was a quintessential micromanager who wouldn’t let you send a single email without her stamp of approval. Instead of diving into all of those dirty details, it’s better to talk about the fact that you were looking for more room and flexibility to use your strengths and talents- but the management style of your previous company was more rigid and didn’t necessarily allow for that much autonomy. You don’t want to badmouth your previous positions. However, there’s no rule stating that you need to give them glowing reviews either. You can be honest in a way that doesn’t make you sound like a disgruntled gossip. What to say: “I was eager to advance in my career and independently lead more projects. But, with such a small and tight-knit team, the management style wasn’t necessarily set up to support that level of ownership from employees.” 3. Mention  what excites you about this opportunity. Without a doubt, you’re going to need to discuss your employment history when interviewing for a new job. But, it’s also important to remember that this interview concerns your future just as much as it involves your past. So, it’s always best to wrap up your answer by reaffirming the key things that excite you about this position. Doing so caps off your interview on a positive note, while also focusing the attention back on the job you’re currently applying for- as opposed to the one you just left. It’s best if you can somehow tie an aspect of this new position back to the grievance you mentioned about your previous role. So, for example, if you mentioned that you didn’t get much autonomy at your last job, touching on a challenging project that you’d have the opportunity to manage with this new company is a great way to demonstrate your level of interest in this particular position. What to say: “That’s why I’m so intrigued by this position. The job description mentioned that you’re looking for someone who can spearhead an entire rebranding of your digital presence. The prospect of taking ownership of that sort of project excites me, and I think it’s a challenge that really speaks to my skill set and experience.” Needing to talk about a past role or employer in a job interview can be awkward at best. You want to be honest, without sounding like you’re pointing fingers or throwing everybody else under the bus. Fortunately, there’s a way you can address that question head on- without leaving a bad taste in the interviewer’s mouth. Piece together these three tips, and you’ll have an answer that portrays you as the positive and polite professional that you are. Are you or  someone you know looking for a new job? Refer a friend to with this  link- you’ll get a month free service and they’ll get 30% off!