Interview strategies regarding Bad Previous Employment Exprience

1
Interview Strategies Regarding Bad Previous
Employment Experiences
www.pouted.com
2
Introduction

• Even if your last boss was Attila the Hun, never,
  never state your ill feelings," advises Deborah
  Walker on the career advice website
  Quintessential Careers. Badmouthing a former
  employer, boss, coworkers or even the company
  strategy is never a good idea, even if the
  experience was bad. Complaining about all of
  those things -- like the applicant featured in
  the CNBC article "The Most Outrageous Mistakes
  Made at Job Interviews," who provided an
  exhaustive list of all the reasons the employer
  angered him -- is virtually guaranteed to lose
  you the job.

www.pouted.com
3
Positive Comparisons, Not Negative Comments

• Instead of talking negatively about the former
  employer -- for whatever reason -- frame your
  response to become a positive comparison of the
  organization you want to work for. If you were
  dissatisfied with the company strategy at your
  former workplace, instead of listing the reasons
  you disliked the approach, explain why you think
  the company you are interviewing for has an
  advantage.

www.pouted.com
4
Bad Boss

• It is extremely unprofessional to gossip about a
  former boss. It leaves the interviewer wondering
  what you would eventually say about her. If you
  are asked directly about your relationship with a
  former employer, be honest but avoid the
  temptation to criticize or assign blame. In a
  Career Builder article, Kate Lorenz suggests a
  truthful yet professional response such as "My
  supervisor and I, unfortunately, had very
  different personalities and management styles

www.pouted.com
5
Explaining Poor Performance

• If you were fired from your previous position
  because of poor performance -- or expect to
  receive a negative reference -- explain the issue
  upfront so the hiring manager won't be surprised
  by the information. Briefly state the issue --
  focusing on what the experience taught you -- and
  provide references to substantiate prior success.
  In a Career Builder article on explaining job
  loss, Lorenz provides an example of an applicant
  promoted from an administrative position to a
  sales position who was ultimately discharged for
  not meeting sales quotas.

www.pouted.com
6
Explaining Egregious Misconduct

• If you were terminated for an egregious mistake,
  the employer is likely to be wary -- and for good
  reason. Acknowledge the mistake and the
  employer's misgivings, but explain the steps you
  have taken to ensure the behavior will never
  happen again. Be sincere and honest, and explain
  the learning points you have taken from the
  experience. Remain calm and don't get defensive.

www.pouted.com
7
For more information visit www.pouted.com
www.pouted.com