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How do you explain reasons for leaving a past job?
I just got a voicemail from a job I applied for and plan to call them tomorrow morning. Something I'm almost always asked right away is why I'm thinking of leaving my current job. This is awkward for me now because I've only been with my current company for about 6 months and the position I applied to is basically the exact same thing as what I do know.
The main reasons I'm looking is because I feel I'm underpaid (this other company pays about 25% more, which is more the industry standard) and my boss is a jerk, neither of which I would tell a perspective company. In the past I've been able to honestly say that I had hit the ceiling where I was at and was looking for a new opportunity, but that wouldn't work if I had only been employed for 6 months at a place.
I'm thinking of saying that I've heard this company is such a great place to work for I had to jump at it. Too corny?
If you want the background:
I took my current job because I was promised a lot of money and the chance to do lots of new things. Then after my training wage time ended I (and all the other people who started at the same time as me) were given the world's smallest raise and told the company couldn't afford to pay us what they had hoped to when the project started. I was told in a year I could qualify for a 3% increase if I really wow them. I'm also micro managed by a boss who is moody, mean, and rolls her eyes at me when I talk. She act like she doesn't respects anyone she supervises. I feel no passion for my job and am totally uninspired to try to win her respect, since it doesn't seem possible.
I really want out but I'm also kind of scared to go to a new company that I end up not liking and then end up with a resume with short employment history. I worked for years in the non-profit field and liked my job but wanted to see what else was out there. I always got along with co-workers and bosses before. This is my first job in the for-profit world and I'm not sure what is normal, but from talking to friends, I don't think I'm just being overly sensitive.
Re: How do you explain reasons for leaving a past job?
I think emphasizing the positive ("This job just seemed like an opportunity I couldn't pass up") would be fine. You could always tell the truth without being overt about it: the job wasn't what you thought it would be when you applied, or it simply isn't the right fit for you. If they press, you could always say you look more for an X company culture and that isn't what you're currently experiencing.
One short-term job isn't going to kill your job prospects.
And no, you're not being overly sensitive.
Our little Irish rose came to us on March 5, 2010
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The new place doesn't really care why you are leaving. People leave all the time. They just want to make sure you are not some bitter employee who will burn them down the road.
Juat say that "you enjoyed many aspects of the position but it didn't turn-out to be what was promised and you are looking for more demanding work and challenges. "
You don't have to run them into the ground to make yourself look good. Juat make it clear that they are "good folk" but you want bigger/harder/better challenges to break-out on the job market.
That would be a plus.
DS1 born June 2008 | m/c at 9w March 2011 | DS2 born April 2012
In most cases, I would agree with this advice, though in my case, the job I was leaving was a well known company with a good reputation for treating their workers well - plus the manager I was interviewing with for the position I have now asked "Why don't you just find a new position within your company? Why look outside?"
Sometimes managers will try to go beyond "growth and opportunity" byline since so many people say that.
This.
I second this
I would not say anything like this, that is openly critical of the current job (or any previous job).
Saying that the job "wasn't what was promised" implies dishonesty on the part of that employer, as if you were lied to about duties and expectations, or that the position was misrepresented to you when you agreed to it.
Just give the standard answer about professional growth / responsibility seeking.
Thanks everyone! After being worried it ended up bot coming up at all (at least yet). Maybe I'm just nosy but I always asked about reasons for leaving when I've screened people.
Bad news is that they didn't want me for the job I applied for but instead want to interview me for a job that would only pay slightly more from what I make now so the only real benefit would be to get away from my boss. I definitely want to meet with them, but I have been thinking that even though things are bad where I work, they could always be worse. I really wish it was OK to ask an employer in an interview how they manage stress or treat people when they are angry.