How to Honestly Answer This Tricky Job Interview Question

How to Honestly Answer This Tricky Job Interview QuestionHow to Honestly Answer This Tricky Job Interview QuestionYoure in the middle of a job interview, and- so far- things have been going well. You made some friendly small talk with the interviewer, and youve confidently answered every single question hes thrown your way.Then comes the one you were dreading Why did you leave your last job?Because my boss welches a terrible monster that little voice inside your head is screaming as you nervously bite your lip and desperately try to come up with whatto say in response.Its a tricky job interview question. Were told to be honest in job interviews, yet were also advised not to badmouth our previous supervisors or employers. So, what do you do? How do you handle this sticky situation without painting yourself in a really negative light?Heres how to answer this tricky job interview question and talk about your last job in a way thats positive and professional1. Startwith the positives.Eve n if your boss was terrible and the job was a soul-sucking nightmare, you probably still extracted something from that experience- whether it was a new relevant skill or a great bond with your fellow coworkers.When talking about a more delicate situation like why you jumped ship from your last role, its best to start with something valuable and beneficial that you were able to take away from that position.Sure, call it sugarcoating. But, leading with the positives helps to reaffirm that youre not out to throw your previous employer under the bus.What to say Im really grateful for my time in that role, as it gave me the opportunity to increase my marketing knowledge while forging some lifelong bonds with my colleagues.2. Behonestsort of.With that preface out of the way, its time to touch on why you actually left that position. You want to do this in an honest and upfront manner, without sounding like youre highlighting every single flaw of your past boss or company.It might sound tri cky- but, rest assured, its not impossible.For example, maybe your boss was a quintessential micromanager who wouldnt let you send a single email without her stamp of approval. Instead of diving into all of those dirty details, its better to talk about the fact that you were looking for more room and flexibility to use your strengths and talents- but the management style of your previous company was more rigid and didnt necessarily allow for that much autonomy.You dont want to badmouth your previous positions. However, theres no rule stating that you need to give them glowing reviews either. You can be honest in a way that doesnt make you sound like a disgruntled gossip.What to say I was eager to advance in my career and independently lead more projects. But, with such a small and tight-knit team, the management style wasnt necessarily tischplatzdeckchen up to support that level of ownership from employees.3. Mentionwhat excites you about this opportunity.Without a doubt, youre goin g to need to discuss your employment history when interviewing for a new job.But, its also important to remember that this interview concerns your future just as much as it involves your past. So, its always best to wrap up your answer by reaffirming the key things that excite you about this position.Doing so caps off your interview on a positive note, while also focusing the attention back on the job youre currently applying for- as opposed to the one you just left.Its best if you can somehow tie an aspect of this new position back to the grievance you mentioned about your previous role.So, for example, if you mentioned that you didnt get much autonomy at your last job, touching on a challenging project that youd have the opportunity to manage with this new company is a great way to demonstrate your level of interest in this particular position.What to say Thats why Im so intrigued by this position. The job description mentioned that youre looking for someone who can spearhead an e ntire rebranding of your digital presence. The prospect of taking ownership of that sort of project excites me, and I think its a challenge that really speaks to my skill set and experience.Needing to talk about a past role or employer in a job interview can be awkward at best. You want to be honest, without sounding like youre pointing fingers or throwing everybody else under the bus.Fortunately, theres a way you can address that question head on- without leaving a bad taste in the interviewers mouth. Piece together these three tips, and youll have an answer that portrays you as the positive and polite professional that you are.Are you orsomeone you know looking for a new job? Refer a friend to with thislink- youll get a month free service and theyll get 30% off