I chose to resign from my previous position because it was a toxic work environment that showed no signs of improving.

22 Comments

1. AnonymousJanuary 4,2024 at 1:59PM UTC

   I have the same question. I left a very toxic environment and crazy supervisor on an ego trip and abusive to his employees. Gas lighting, screaming etc. I put in a Harassment Complaint and was in turn terminated. Even though I was the Victim. I got a lawyer and eventually got a small settlement. Anyway, How do you explain the reason leaving? The judge ordered the company to give me a Neutral Referral going forward.

2. Katherine LehmanJanuary 4,2024 at 2:07PM UTC

   I left the company because of a misalignment in values and growth goals. I had reached the peak of what was achievable so I’m seeking new challenges more inlined with my personal and professional growth goals.

3. Esmerelda GreenJanuary 4,2024 at 2:09PM UTC

   First off, congratulations on leaving a bad situation! That’s hard to do! In future interviews, I’d just focus on what you want to move towards. Explain what you want in a new role, how you want to grow, what type of environment you’re looking for, etc. Maybe even start a side project or start learning a new skill as you look for a new job to show that you have forward momentum and are looking to grow. It’s as simple as saying your last job didn’t provide those things and I doubt anyone will ask for any more details beyond that.

4. Heather (she/her)January 4,2024 at 2:13PM UTC

   Glad you got out. In interviews, you just say it wasn't a good fit.

5. Heather BinghamJanuary 4,2024 at 2:18PM UTC

   It is fairly straightforward - just insist on talking about what you're looking for in a new organisation, and avoid talking about what you're leaving behind. Talk about looking for a team that is collaborative, a manager that provides feedback, somewhere where you can learn and grow etc. etc. If they ask why you left without a job to go to, simply say that you were working all the hours and didn't want to let your colleagues down by taking time and focus away from your duties to look for something new. Tell them you wanted a little time to reset and move on. We interviewers get the message when people do this, but no one has to say anything negative. Definitely do not say that you're leaving behind a toxic work environment, because that creates an unspoken, often unfair question; "Was the environment toxic, or were you?".

6. AnonymousJanuary 14,2024 at 3:40PM UTC

   I agree- the word toxic can make a good or great interview go bad very quickly and cause the interviewer to end the interview as quickly as common courtesy would allow.

7. AnonymousJanuary 4,2024 at 2:35PM UTC

   I have run into this same problem. I left a very toxic work environment a few months back. I have always answered this question in a positive manner. However, in this economy, I have found when you answer that way the interviewer digs in deeper. As if they know you wouldn’t leave a job without having another lined up for the positive reasons presented or that it wasn’t a good fit.

8. AnonymousJanuary 4,2024 at 2:42PM UTC

   I left my last position for the same reason. I told interviewers one of two things: the company was restructuring or I had outgrown the position and was looking to share my talents elsewhere. No one asked anything further.

9. AnonymousJanuary 4,2024 at 3:22PM UTC

   do not talk bad about the last company do not discuss culture or management that will hurt you

   instead say something like you wanted to grow there was no growth opportunities available , you wanted to do something different etc

   anything but bad mouthing the last company Google it you can get lots of good ideas

10. Amanda LeeJanuary 4,2024 at 4:35PM UTC

    Good for you for recognizing the toxic environment and making a decision to exit rather than stay in that type of situation.

    I would never recommend bashing the other company however you can let the recruiter know that it was not a good fit and did not align with your values. If they dig in and want more detail, you could answer by saying the atmosphere was not positive and productive which did not allow you to reach your full potential. That response points back to culture clear and simple.

    Most recruiters have access to Glassdoor, Indeed and other job boards and can see reviews about companies. If they want to explore further, they can.

    Good luck!

11. AnonymousJanuary 4,2024 at 5:55PM UTC

    Good for you for making the choice to resign! It's not worth your energy to focus on your old employer. As others have stated, I agree that you should focus on the fact you wanted more for yourself and your career.

    "Lack of growth opportunities " is a pretty solid summary of why and what you're looking for now.

    Good luck to you! And sending you positive vibes as you heal from your situation too.

12. AnonymousJanuary 5,2024 at 1:19PM UTC

    You don’t need to. Just say they didn’t meet the criteria you were looking for.

13. Annalise MJanuary 5,2024 at 4:39PM UTC

    It never reflects well to complain a lot as a first impression in this context. I'm sure that you can still be honest in a "I wanted to grow and explore other areas" type answer because that was probably true to a degree too.

14. AnonymousJanuary 5,2024 at 5:33PM UTC

    Cynic checking in -- it would be a lot easier if we could all tell the truth in interviews, but it doesn't work that way. I left a job that I never should have taken at 90 days (90 days of 14-hour workdays and management-on-a-whim and generally abusive behavior, all good reasons but all off-limits in an interview). You have to be able to put a positive spin on it and come up with a story of what you've been doing (even if you want to scream "LOOKING FOR A JOB") and the crazy part is, the more times you tell the story, it starts to feel true, like it really happened that way. Just keep honing the story, and soon it will feel more natural and make it easier to get past the question -- even the pickpickpicking by HR at your answer. And then you can talk about the great things about you as a candidate that really are true .

15. AnonymousJanuary 5,2024 at 7:49PM UTC

    I decided to leave my role which was very demanding timewise to full time focus on finding my next position.

    1- The reason I left was I hit a ceiling with advancement there and want more challenges that stretch my experience where I can make an impact. (then tell them what you want)
    2-The company changed their business goals and they do not align with my interest and career aspirations. (then tell them what you want)
    Never, ever, ever badmouth your former employer. IF you do so, do it on blind or glassdoor where those commentaries live.

16. AnonymousJanuary 6,2024 at 5:21AM UTC

    Managerial/Operation realignment.

17. Mystery MysteryJanuary 6,2024 at 4:43PM UTC

    Don't bring it up unless they asked why you left and then keep your answer brief you can say I left to pursue other opportunities and keep it vague. Or if you want or tell them it was toxic and you left to take care of yourself.

18. AnonymousJanuary 14,2024 at 2:52PM UTC

    I don't know if I'd tell any prospective employer my former workplace was toxic- they may think you'll talk negatively about them too, also it makes them think the interviewee can't/won't take responsibility on the job if something goes wrong.

19. MegggzJanuary 12,2024 at 1:37PM UTC

    You can lie and say that there were layoffs, you can speak as if you are still there or you can say that you stepped away for personal reasons and are now energized to get back into the workforce.

20. AnonymousJanuary 14,2024 at 2:48PM UTC

    Do not encourage anyone to lie. They will get caught. The last 1/2 of your suggestion makes a lot more sense.

21. AnonymousJanuary 12,2024 at 2:31PM UTC

    Focus not on why you left but why you would be great for the new position.

22. AnonymousJanuary 14,2024 at 2:59PM UTC

    Take ownership in your part in it if you were there a long time- more than a few years. It might be helpful to say the firm/company's direction did not or no longer align with your goals but after research on the firm you're interviewing at does.