How honest should you be?

[PinkRinse]

I've been for a couple of job interviews whilst working for my current employer. During my interviews I'm obviously asked why I want to leave my current job.

Previously I have always tried to be as diplomatic/tactful and professional as possible but I often feel like I'm holding back. To put it simply I really dislike the company I work for, disagree with some of the higher up decisions that have just been made which might seriously affect our credibility and also I can't stand my BM. I dislike almost every single way they "manage" and both in our company and outside he is not highly thought of despite what he believes in his own head.

Our industry is pretty incestuous so companies I interview with know each other well (one guy said "I'm not surprised to be interviewing someone from your company") but I don't want to be seen as whinging or bad mouthing in a close knit industry. Hmm.

[illmonkey]

You saying that you disagree with management sounds like you're a lot of work to manage and you'll be off in a year. I was in the same boat, of course, it's not always like that. I worked there happily for 5 years before my boss turned into a mass .

Part of the reason they were, was something they done to try and push me out, so I spun on that as a reason for leaving

[Abagnale]

If it were me, I would play the game until I was at least on the inside. If you are searingly honest at interview, potentially coming across as a malcontent, then the interviewer may reasonably infer that you're the problem rather than the company. Why talk yourself out of a job before you've landed it?

I don't know you, so I can't judge but assuming you're not a square peg in a round hole, keep it platitudinous & bland along the lines of reaching ceilings, personal development etc. until you at least have your foot in the door. If as you say, the industry is incestuous, you never know when your path will cross someone from a previous life & if it gets out you ran them down, it could be a serious backfire for you.

[ChasW]

The fact that some people have bad managers, work in companies with distasteful cultures and non-meritocratic environments is just a fact of life. So I would always say it like it is but making sure that you don't come across as a "victim" and be prepared to give good answers when the interviewer probes into your responses.

[bigkeeko]

Abagnale said:

If it were me, I would play the game until I was at least on the inside.

This.

OP. Having been there and having been asked complete irrelevancies I get your frustration. As much as you abhor the idea of telling them what they want to hear, it sadly, is the most successful route to a new position. Unfortunately, in most cases merit and/or ability comes second to a `Yes` man.

[Pit Pony]

Last one, They asked me to "tell me about your career" and I started "Right, so it's 20 years of a comedy of errors, me occasionally throwing my dummy out of the pram, and a random approach to my career development. Surprisingly this approach doesn't work for everyone, but for me, it's started to pay off, as I've done so many varied things "

Got that one too.

I'm think the OP needs to inject some humour into his honesty.

[rog007]

PinkRinse said:

...I have always tried to be as diplomatic/tactful and professional as possible...

Keep it that way; anything less would be unprofessional. Good luck!