Hi everyone, this is my first time posting.
I quit my last job without 2 weeks notice and on my exit interview I did mention my boss in a truthful professional but critical way. What would be a good way to answer why I left without bad mouthing? I also am concerned that it the exit can haunt me even though it was truthful.
I am so glad you asked this question because I can give you advice from someone who did it (it being tell the truth). To say that it backfired is not strong enough language! I was being bullied by the HR Director; yes, the Director. I tried very hard to work with the Director and come to a place that was tolerable but we just could not iron it our. So, I went to the CEO (her boss) so that at least someone would know what was happening. I didn't want someone else to experience what I was going through. Right? And, I wanted it to stop.
The CEO was interested in what I was saying and told me she was sorry that I was not being supported. I told her the 100% truth with no exaggerations. The CEO then talked to my boss who then told everyone that I went to her boss and that I had problems with communication, could not be trusted, all the issues were my fault and I just didn't want people to like her.
I have since been frozen out. I was told by two of my work "friends" that they can't be seen with me because they don't want to get in the middle of it. I can definitely understand that as we have a "no gossiping policy." LOL I know what you are thinking but we do actually have a written policy about gossip. The definition of what gossip is and who can and cannot gossip is vague to say the least.
Anyway, I went through the proper channels, told the truth, any now my work environment is hostile. The point of the story is DO NOT under any circumstances tell the truth . I am now looking for a new job. I was naïve to think that this would work out differently. I SHOULD HAVE JUST GONE ON THE NEXT OPPORTUNITY.
In the meantime I am a person on a deserted island with sharks swimming all around me. My boss is doing all she can to make me even more miserable than before from sending email criticizing my work to not communicating with me at all for days at a time. She went on vacation for 10 days without even letting me know she would be gone.
So, my advice to anyone reading this post, don't criticize anyone, leave quietly and go on to the next opportunity. Be glad that you have an opportunity to make a change and leave the mess behind you. You don't need to try to clean up the mess or try to make it better for the person coming in behind you. That person may or may not have the same experience you had any way.
Go to your next opportunity and be happy. Just say you were looking for a growth opportunity and move on.
Live well friends!
When asked why you left your previous job, you can reply that you had gone as far as you could, career-wise with the organization and needed a new challenge.
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Focus on the growth you want in your next time that you weren't getting in your previous role. It's not about what the last company or manager did wrong, it's about the way you've grown to the next level.
Never bad mouth your former employer to other potential employers... It reflects on how you might one day speak about them. The best way to handle it is to say something truthful, but perhaps tangential to the actual reason. Noting something like 'limited opportunities for growth' or the like is fairly safe.
User deleted comment on 07/27/22 at 1:22PM UTC
For me, when I leave a job, I immediately work on learning a new skill or work on a new certification. That way on future interviews, your focus can segment into your own personal growth, learning, and upskilling and how important that was to you and your long-term career trajectory.
While I appreciate the need to keep bridges un-burnt, if you're leaving a job because your boss acted in an unacceptable manner, tiptoeing around it just leaves the problem for someone else. "Going in a different direction" or "leaving for growth" doesn't say "I'm leaving because staying has become unbearable and here's why." You can get the point across in a truthful AND professional manner, and it could help the next person who is in your shoes.
"the job was not the right fit for me because [reasons related to use of your best skills}"
"The less you say; the better." Is the best rule to use when answering sensitive questions such as this in job interviews and with colleagues when you DO get the job. As I have experienced new colleagues attempting to be pryful surrounding ones departure from a previous company as well under the guise of "I just want to get to know you"
Something along the lines of, " I left for continued growth in my career." Ought to do the trick and be comfortable with the silence afterwards until the interviewer picks up the mic. Since another way interviewers try to get others to say more is to let there be silence so the interview-ee feels compelled to fill it.
And one extra thing to watch out for is if you answer this question and they present an additional question of, " what would you have liked your company or team to better? "Or "what would you change about your company or previous team?" Say nothing negative and keep it positive so somethibg along the lines of "my company /team has always met or strive to meet their goals during each quarter." Or "when the volume was high, request reviews may have taken longer but they were always fulfilled and reviewed with undivided attention."
Always want to show positivity so interviewers have nothing negative to cling to when they remember you. You got this and keep growing n glowing!
you can say that the company is moving in a different direction, and it is not a good fit for you anymore. Good luck in your search