Tackling career related issues to help you in your job search.
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Epikos, Inc. was founded in March 2010. President and CEO, Andrea Hall, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers (PARW). Find out more at www.epikosinc.com/about.html
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Tuesday, May 25, 2010
This week's question
Once a week, I will post a career-related question. I invite you to comment and join in the discussion!
This week's question is:
What's the most difficult question you've been asked in an interview?
I always hatehatehate the question, if you're looking for a new job while you are currently employed at a different company, "Why are you seeking to leave your current position?" This always rattles me, because if I'm leaving because of issues with management (whether personal or simply with the way things are run) or for a variety of small things that added up to making me want to leave, I never know how to answer. Do I list all of them? Do I answer honestly if I had a conflict with other coworkers or a manager, if that's why I'm leaving? On the one hand, you want to be honest, especially if you're forced to use someone as a reference there that may mention your conflict. But on the other hand, especially if there were several small issues, you don't want to talk for five mintues straight about your laundry list of problems--you come across as unprofessional, whiny, or (worst) as a negative person who doesn't get along with coworkers and who might bring disharmony to a new workplace. Even if the issues are valid (i.e., not necessarily YOUR fault), I still struggle with the "right way" to phrase things and how much to say about them.
I always hatehatehate the question, if you're looking for a new job while you are currently employed at a different company, "Why are you seeking to leave your current position?" This always rattles me, because if I'm leaving because of issues with management (whether personal or simply with the way things are run) or for a variety of small things that added up to making me want to leave, I never know how to answer. Do I list all of them? Do I answer honestly if I had a conflict with other coworkers or a manager, if that's why I'm leaving? On the one hand, you want to be honest, especially if you're forced to use someone as a reference there that may mention your conflict. But on the other hand, especially if there were several small issues, you don't want to talk for five mintues straight about your laundry list of problems--you come across as unprofessional, whiny, or (worst) as a negative person who doesn't get along with coworkers and who might bring disharmony to a new workplace. Even if the issues are valid (i.e., not necessarily YOUR fault), I still struggle with the "right way" to phrase things and how much to say about them.
ReplyDeleteliteraryellymay- that's where you simply say, it wasn't a good fit. You never never never want to disparage your previous employer or coworkers.
ReplyDelete