Interview answers to awkward questions

[B'stard Child]

So looking at a slight role change but similar desk based enviroment - I like the company just don't like how the current role has developed and other key issues which are all a bit "negative"

It seems I could be interviewed by someone way higher than my potential boss, who incidently I really would enjoy working for (work hard play hard mentality with a good sense of humour)

How on earth do I answer the enevitable "What don't you like about your current role?"

I think if I'm honest I'm toast.............

[Du1point8]

B'stard Child said:

So looking at a slight role change but similar desk based enviroment - I like the company just don't like how the current role has developed and other key issues which are all a bit "negative"

It seems I could be interviewed by someone way higher than my potential boss, who incidently I really would enjoy working for (work hard play hard mentality with a good sense of humour)

How on earth do I answer the enevitable "What don't you like about your current role?"

I think if I'm honest I'm toast.............

SImple one is that its not enough of a challenge… then blag why.

[Watchman]

It's not that I dislike it... It's just that the other job is better, faster, has more girls, floats on custard, pays better, affords me greater challenges and options for fighting and drinking and blah...


Turn the Q on them.

[Zad]

Say that you don't think it is professional to talk about your current and previous employer in more than the most general of terms. After which, you can say that after much thought and consideration, you believe that your current role isn't really heading in the same direction that you had in mind for your career, and instead have decided to go with an employer who looks to be more in keeping with your own aspirations and abilities.

After all, the last thing they want is an employee who will go around bad-mouthing them, even if the actual words are a bit of bland b*llocks. I gather that it is within the same company, but the same still applies, it is just a fancy way of saying you are too good for your current job, but please don't ask me to slag off the people I work for.

[soad]

B'stard Child said:

How on earth do I answer the enevitable "What don't you like about your current role?"

"My employer is terrible. They don't pay me enough, the hours are awful and I hate the job."

[B'stard Child]

soad said:

B'stard Child said:

How on earth do I answer the enevitable "What don't you like about your current role?"

"My employer is terrible. They don't pay me enough, the hours are awful and I hate the job."

Works if you are changing employer - big fail if it's an internal departmental move

[B'stard Child]

Zad said:

Say that you don't think it is professional to talk about your current and previous employer in more than the most general of terms. After which, you can say that after much thought and consideration, you believe that your current role isn't really heading in the same direction that you had in mind for your career, and instead have decided to go with an employer who looks to be more in keeping with your own aspirations and abilities.

After all, the last thing they want is an employee who will go around bad-mouthing them, even if the actual words are a bit of bland b*llocks. I gather that it is within the same company, but the same still applies, it is just a fancy way of saying you are too good for your current job, but please don't ask me to slag off the people I work for.

Thank you all of that has some potential especially as I know if it got to the stage where I did start to comment on current senior manager(s) I think I'd struggle to stop (and have time to breathe....)

[B'stard Child]

Du1point8 said:

B'stard Child said:

So looking at a slight role change but similar desk based enviroment - I like the company just don't like how the current role has developed and other key issues which are all a bit "negative"

It seems I could be interviewed by someone way higher than my potential boss, who incidently I really would enjoy working for (work hard play hard mentality with a good sense of humour)

How on earth do I answer the enevitable "What don't you like about your current role?"

I think if I'm honest I'm toast.............

SImple one is that its not enough of a challenge… then blag why.

Hmm current role has plenty of challenges - none that I like admittedly but that hasn't stopped me taking them on and doing the best I can.

The only "explaination" I had previously come up with was I've been doing the same role for 9 years and the role has less elements that I really enjoy and more that I don't as it's developed

And it sounded lame to me!!!

ie When I started in the role I liked 90% of the work and put up with the 10% I didn't - now it's 20% I like and I'm not good at putting up with the 80% I don't.

the "potential new role" has 80% of the role based around doing stuff I like - I'll happily put up with the 20% rubbish for 80%

Edited by B'stard Child on Tuesday 5th November 23:42

[B'stard Child]

Oh I'd better add - Money isn't a motivation for change (salary should be similar - I'd even take a small reduction but I'll try to negotiate and avoid that)

Motivation for me is job fit (to my skills and strengths) and work home life balance (ie miserable at work can easily result in miserable at home)

[Hooli]

B'stard Child said:

Oh I'd better add - Money isn't a motivation for change (salary should be similar - I'd even take a small reduction but I'll try to negotiate and avoid that)

Motivation for me is job fit (to my skills and strengths) and work home life balance (ie miserable at work can easily result in miserable at home)

I'd tell them that then. That the job has developed into something different & you don't feel it suits you as well as it did etc Then say how the new job would suit you better, surely any decent boss wants staff who enjoy their role?

[B'stard Child]

Hooli said:

B'stard Child said:

Oh I'd better add - Money isn't a motivation for change (salary should be similar - I'd even take a small reduction but I'll try to negotiate and avoid that)

Motivation for me is job fit (to my skills and strengths) and work home life balance (ie miserable at work can easily result in miserable at home)

I'd tell them that then. That the job has developed into something different & you don't feel it suits you as well as it did etc Then say how the new job would suit you better, surely any decent boss wants staff who enjoy their role?

Now why did I have to have that pointed out to me...............

[Puggit]

[Big Rod]

B'stard Child said:

ie When I started in the role I liked 90% of the work and put up with the 10% I didn't - now it's 20% I like and I'm not good at putting up with the 80% I don't.

the "potential new role" has 80% of the role based around doing stuff I like - I'll happily put up with the 20% rubbish for 80%

If you can word that a little more diplomatically, I reckon that hits it square.

[mjb1]

Avoid any kind of negativity about it, not easy I know. Explain how you've out grown it, feeling a bit stagnant, looking for a fresh challenge etc. Try and steer it towards the positives of the new role if you can, and how they excite you.

[Alucidnation]

mjb1 said:

Explain how you've out grown it, feeling a bit stagnant, looking for a fresh challenge etc.

Which could also leave the interviewer thinking that you could say the same about the current job you are applying for at some point in the future.

[monthefish]

Puggit said:

[CharlesdeGaulle]

Alucidnation said:

mjb1 said:

Explain how you've out grown it, feeling a bit stagnant, looking for a fresh challenge etc.

Which could also leave the interviewer thinking that you could say the same about the current job you are applying for at some point in the future.

After 9 years, I'd be disappointed if he didn't.

[aw51 121565]

Puggit said:

Maybe forthrightness rather than honesty is her weakness here? Or - even better - perhaps "having the personality type 'driver'" which seems to work in this pic .

(And at the pic.)

[Siscar]

I've rejected candidates in the past for being negative about their previous employer, it usually comes across very badly.

[Vaud]

"Too much paperwork - not enough time client side / with stakeholders / etc"
Is a safe one - who likes paperwork?