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Anonymous
08/28/19 at 4:10PM UTC
in
Career

"Why are you looking for another job?"

I have a phone interview with a recruiter tomorrow at a company I've been eager to get into, and of course the question will come up - the truth is, my current boss is terrifying, and creates a toxic workplace culture, with lots of defensive backstabbing and under-bus-throwing, and the girding of our loins before every conference call. I've only been in my current position a year. Have any of you figured out a way of expressing this without making it look like you're an authority-challenging whiner?

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Carolyn Hipkins
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387
Online Community Manager | Executive Assistant
09/03/19 at 1:39PM UTC
I'm looking for a new job because I feel stuck in my current one. I working for a staffing agency on a long-term federal contract. I don't want to work for the staffing agency anymore because the benefits are lousy. The federal agency says they want to hire me as an FTE but they can't seem to make that happen. I've been on this contract for seven years and get asked all the time why am I looking now. I'm looking because I want an upgrade. How do I tell potential employers that?
Tracy Greene
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112
Digital Advertising and Marketing
09/04/19 at 2:21PM UTC
That sounds appropriate to me! People say they're "ready for a new challenge" all the time. Good luck!
Laela Suddoo
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57
Seeking new projects to solve
09/02/19 at 10:45PM UTC
Keep the conversation more about what you’ve learned and skills you’re taking with you into the new role. Save the feedback for your exit interview and online review. I am also seeking new opportunities; basically getting pushed out after 3.5 years due to restructure. Something better is bound to come along!
Kimberly Sweeney
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368
HR Systems & Solutions Expert
09/01/19 at 5:57PM UTC
It is very difficult at times to turn a negative into a positive. Whenever I am asked (I too have been in a similar boat myself), I focus on what I want in a culture and this is my typical response: "While I have enjoyed my current role, the reason I am seeking to take on (job applied for) is because of the following reasons: 1.) Upward Mobility - I seek an organization that allows and supports my desire to grow and develop my career. In my current organization I have reached my glass ceiling so if I am seeking to work for an organization which allows me to pursue my career goals. 2.) Training & Development - While I own my own development, I seek an organization that supports and encourages its employees careers. My current organization does not have any training and development programs. 3.) Communication and Collaboration - While I am able to work independently and in teams, I am seeking an organization that has a strong focus on collaborating and sharing ideas. I seek to be a sponge and learn from those around me. What do you deem the most important qualities to be successful in this role?" I hope this helps!
Anonymous
08/29/19 at 7:12PM UTC
Thank you all! I agree, and ended up focusing on the nature of the job, being less client-facing and having less opportunities to manage my own work tasks. (I'm a glorified sales assistant.) It went well. It's unfortunately that we keep hearing about bad bosses being the reason people leave employers, but no one feels comfortable owning up to HAVING one. ;)
BansheeBailey
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918
Former law firm accountant, now retired.
09/01/19 at 1:16AM UTC
Sometimes I think we’re all glorified something-or-others. ?
JB09718
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332
08/28/19 at 5:02PM UTC
I agree with previous posts, just rephrase your response so it comes across as a positive. (For example: I am seeking a more ______ workplace where I can_______.) Good luck on your interview!
Lady Pele
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3.96k
Retired Project Manager
08/28/19 at 5PM UTC
I wouldn't bring up anything about the current job, but focus on what you're looking for in a new job. For example, "I would like to spend more time in the (sales / research / analysis / customer interaction) part of my job. I truly enjoy it, but it's only a part of my current role. I think that in your company, I can bring that enthusiasm and focus to augment your current staff" or something along those lines.
Gina Diamante
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880
News Editor at KPBS, San Diego's PBS/NPR station
08/28/19 at 5PM UTC
Is it possible to focus on what the new job offers that you cannot get at the old job? In my last job change, I was presented with the opportunity to launch a new program, something that wasn't going to happen with the previous employer. If you're able to frame it as, "This position offers me an exciting opportunity that I don't want to miss," you can skip talking about the culture of the old place entirely. But be sure to ask questions about the culture of the new place, to ensure that you're not walking into the same baloney with a different letterhead.
Anonymous
08/28/19 at 4:43PM UTC
This is a tough place to be in! Is there one (or a few!) thing you could identify as a growth opportunity in the new position? Try to keep it positive by expressing your gratitude for what you've learned in your current position, and what you hope to learn in this new opportunity.
Anonymous
08/28/19 at 4:22PM UTC
I'm in somewhat of the same boat - looking for a new job only three months in to starting my latest position. The truth is that the culture is misogynistic and overtly religious (the owners are Mormon, which is fine, but they ban caffeine at the office and close meetings with a prayer). When I'm asked this, I keep it vague "When I took this position, I was hoping for a challenging and collaborative work environment. That hasn't been the case and instead I've felt stifled in a very traditional and rigid workplace structure." I don't see a need to mention your manager in particular, just something about how the culture doesn't fit because you are a go-getter who likes to innovate, even outside of your assigned role.
BansheeBailey
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918
Former law firm accountant, now retired.
08/28/19 at 6:07PM UTC
I wouldn’t say anything even REMOTELY negative about my soon-to-be former employer or the way they conduct their workplace. If you trash-talk them even mildly, the interviewer has no reason to believe that you won’t trash-talk them six months down the road. As far as you are concerned, your current employers are awesome (even if they’re not), but the JOB isn’t what you had envisioned, which is the truth. I wouldn’t talk about my feeling stifled at the current job. Keep it completely positive. “I think I can do more with the skills that I’ve learned.” Just tell them that the current JOB isn’t exactly what you thought it would be - as far as challenging you or making full use of your skills goes. Don’t be tempted to make it about your employer, because it really isn’t. It’s about what YOU are looking for. It’s just business. They are looking for professional behavior. Then ask LOTS of questions about the position and be as enthusiastic as you can. Knock ‘em dead, as my dad used to say.
Anonymous
08/30/19 at 3:03PM UTC
I agree with this because...you need to get the job. However, I wonder if we're all not somehow complicit in reinforcing toxic workplaces. If we all allowed each other to tell the truth about workplaces in these interviews then maybe previous or potential employers would work harder to create healthier workplaces that wouldn't get trash-talked when their employees moved on. Ah well. A woman can only dream...
BansheeBailey
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918
Former law firm accountant, now retired.
09/01/19 at 1:14AM UTC
Trash talking *doesn’t* hurt the employer, though, if its customers and the shareholders are satisfied. “Complicit,” to me, implies that you could have changed things just by speaking up, and I’m not sure how true that is. Corporate cultures are extremely resistant to change, in my experience, when it comes to walking the talk.
Annetta Moses
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1.31k
Consumer Insights and Strategy Leader
08/30/19 at 10:03PM UTC
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I believe the opportunity to change a culture is when you are at a company. I have seen a company that overall is not diverse have a team that is 50% women because a woman manager decided she would not be the only woman on her team and she made sure that every time there was an opening she had qualified women apply. I also believe that there is an opportunity to change culture when you turn down a job offer. If asked why you turned down the job be honest. Did have of the interviewers seem open to new ideas while the others were unapproachable? If you are working at a wonderful company, are you doing anything to add more women to the company's work force?
Anonymous
08/29/19 at 7:14PM UTC
And that's absolutely true, I CAN do more with the skills that I've learned. Thanks for helping me focus on those reasons and not just the one that prompted me to submit my resume. :D
BansheeBailey
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918
Former law firm accountant, now retired.
08/29/19 at 11:55PM UTC
You are most welcome. Best of luck!

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