Why You Should Never Complain About Former Bosses

You're at a job interview. You're doing great, answering questions left and right. You're enthusiastic, upbeat, confident. Then they ask, "Why did you leave your last job?"

An image of your former boss, red-faced and screaming, pops your head. He was such a jerk! You desperately want to vent your frustrations and tell them why you HAD to quit, but you hesitate, thinking... is honesty the best policy in THIS situation?

There's no better way to present yourself as a whiner than to complain about a former boss or job. Even if you left a job because your boss was an egomaniac who took credit for all of your hard work, verbally abused you in front of others, and poisoned the plant on your desk, don't say anything bad about him/her during an interview.

If you do, the interviewer may think you have a problem with authority or can't get along with others. After all, they don't know you. And as an authority figure, they may more easily identify with your maligned former boss than with you.

It's best not to count on them believing YOUR side of the story, even if it IS the truth.

So instead of saying "My boss was an incompetent idiot," choose one of these sample responses, whichever fits your particular situation best:

"My manager and I both agreed that my advancement opportunities were limited there and obtaining another position was the best option for me and my career goals." Be prepared for a possible follow-up question such as "What ARE your career goals?"

"I wanted more challenging assignments." This is a nice way of saying you were bored out of your mind. Prepare to follow it up by saying something about being eager to tackle challenges associated with the position for which you are applying.

"I'm looking for an organization that supports its people." This could trigger the "Can you expand on that?" question, so be sure to have a response planned, such as "There weren't many training opportunities."

"My career goals have changed." This is a great response if you are going into a new field. However, companies want people who can hit the ground running, so be prepared to explain how your past experiences make you a good candidate for this new job.

One or all of these may be variations of the real story, so you won't really be lying about why you left your last job. You just won't be giving them the whole truth!

You may reprint/republish this article if you include my name and a link to this website.

Bonnie Lowe is author of the popular Job Interview Success System and free information-packed ezine, "Career-Life Times." Find those and other powerful career-building resources and tips at her website: http://www.best-interview-strategies.com.

---

How to Write Cover Letters That Increase Your Chances of Winning an Interview

Submit a poorly written cover letter and the chances are... Read More

Consultants - If We Cant Laugh At Ourselves?

There are hundreds of varieties of Consultants these days. We... Read More

Interview Preparation

The dreaded job interview is the Number 1 source of... Read More

Great Salary Negotiation Tips

11 Commandments For Smart Negotiating1 - BE PREPARED. The... Read More

Can You Actually Fail A Personality Quiz?

Q. I didn't get a job that I interviewed for.... Read More

Career Change - Is Your Career A Good Fit Or Is It Causing Pain?

Do you leap out of bed in the morning looking... Read More

Image and Style Count

When I was a child, there was a pool nearby... Read More

Theres No Need to Pad Your Resume

It seems like a good idea, harmless in fact. Your... Read More

Hiring Managers: Preventing ?Fall-Off?s? and Counter Offers

"Bill, thanks so much for your assistance with this search.... Read More

Blogging for Candidates 101: Nuts and Bolts

A "blog" is simply an internet (web) log. Blogs are... Read More

Why Culinary Education

If you are thinking about a career in culinary arts... Read More

Careers-Changing Jobs: The Fantasy of the Ideal Job

Most people would agree that the concept of a job... Read More

Should You Telework/Telecommute

"WOW! I can work from home and make money? I... Read More

Franchising Offers NO Guarantees --

You have to ask --- IS a FRANCHISE FOR YOU?There... Read More

Formal Business Attire is Making a Comeback

The dot com boom of 1990s brought with it a... Read More

Job or no Job: The Certainty of Uncertainty

Headline from AP via Yahoo News! January 11, 2005: "Chrysler... Read More

Career Searching: A Vision Without A Plan is a Hallucination

Success is not always something you necessarily find when you... Read More

Resume Writing Dos and Donts

Do these things Include your full name - don't... Read More

The Pros and Cons of Telecommuting - As Seen Through The Eyes of a Seasoned Telecommuter

Janelle Delacorte has been happily answering calls for the Home... Read More

Job! Money! Career!

Feel somehow your life is stuck in MS-OFFICE ? The... Read More

Dont Stop! Your Transition is Still Moving!

Q. I'm looking for a new job and plan to... Read More

Unlimit Your Life!

Do you have a tendency to think in absolutes?Is everything... Read More

Keep Your Phone Costs Down!

When you're looking for work, some of your expenses will... Read More

Continuing Professional Development

Continuing professional development (CPD) is promoted by the CIPD to... Read More

Get Paid to Shop And Keep Everything You Buy - Without Having to Pay!

Can You Tell Good Service From Bad; Recognise Value For... Read More

Rich Career, Poor Career

What makes for a rich career? It is more than... Read More

Job Search Lessons From The Super Bowl

The Super Bowl is a game but, like sports in... Read More

Work at Home Jobs Vs Self Employment

Work at Home Jobs vs Owning a Home Based BusinessNot... Read More

How to Walk Away from an Opportunity thats Wrong for You

Q. I just finished a job interview. Everything went well.... Read More

Job Search: The End of the Line

There is an end to the job search tunnel!It has... Read More

What To Do When Your Boss Is a Butthead

I've never worked for a boss I didn't like or... Read More

What Students and Parents MUST Know about Student Loans

A student loan helps you get through college. Then you... Read More

How to Insure Job Security

The attorneys I coach have one common problem. They don't... Read More