Results 1 to 8 of 8
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    2

    Question How to talk about quitting a job in interview....

    I have an interview for a hr job coming up. I applied for this job about 3 months ago and actually thought I hadn't got an interview. I applied for it when I was working in a temporary role. Anyway I quit the temp job after 1 month as my direct supervisor was a bully. As it was close to the end of the year I had decided not to apply for any jobs until the new year. So i am currently not working. Anyway my question is this - what do I say in the interview when asked why I left? I had thought about saying that the hours and commute were impacting on my family life too much and that as another lady worked at the place I quit from whose temp contract was about to expire, and she could possibly take the position. Or something along those lines. I do not have anything bad to say about the employer I quit from (as the work was fantastic and challenging) but I also don't want to give the impression that I am not a team player or could not deal with the situation. I had never encountered this type of personality and it threw me. I had never quit a job in this way as well. I left the premises after a confrontation with my supervisor and did not come back. I would not use this supervisor as a reference, but I did state in my application that I worked there so it will come up. Anyone have any advice or suggestions? I don't want to lie (although the commute was a genuine concern but it was only a temp contract so i was applying for jobs to be closer to home) but I also don't know how I could possibly put any positivity on this if I was to tell the truth that I quit because of a personality clash. Thanks

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia
    Posts
    456

    Default

    My personal view is you should tell the truth, it's never a good idea to provide misleading information at an interview. It makes you look untrustworthy. But make your mind up whether it was a "personality clash" or whether your boss was a bully - they are not same thing!

    I don't believe you need to go into the specific circumstances of your departure, but I would say that it would not be appropriate to seek a reference from that company.

    I do think it is worth mentioning the commute being another factor that contributed in your decision to quit.

    There are many experienced HR people on this forum, so it might be worth getting a few other views before do decide how you will deal with this.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    2

    Default

    Thank you for your reply, Moz. I really want to tell the truth but I guess I was worried about what the interviewer might think. I guess I cannot really guess what they think and should really focus on all the reasons why I want the new job. I have decided to say that I left as there was a personality clash and as I was already looking for something closer to home I decided to quit. That way I am not lying and I feel more comfortable than trying to hide that we sometimes have workplace issues. Thanks again

  4. #4

    Default

    I agree with Moz. If you are open and honest in regards to why you left and they take offence to that and don't hire you then they weren't worth working for in the first place. Bullying and harassment is zero tolerance so if anything you are doing them a favour by showing that you won't hang around and put up with it.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    65

    Default

    If you were only there for a month why have you got it on your CV? Personally I wouldn't bother. If the interview is with an agency they WILL grill you regardless. It is their role in the recruitment process. I don't think any company is going to be too bothered if you have a gap of a few months in your CV - I have interviewed a lot of HR people and they all have different reasons for being between roles (family, carers leave etc) so it happens and that is life and most companies know this.

    I would think carefully as to whether it is the right thing to come out and say the supervisor/manager was a bully. The first rule of thumb in any interview is to not talk negative about previous employers even if it was only a temp role. Yes it happens but if it was for 12 months etc then that would be different. You could say "my immediate manager and I had differing views on HR policy" for example. Having said this you may then find yourself in the situation of answering those dreaded questions such as "why type of personality etc do you work best with"! Before you know it you are written off before getting a chance to talk about your experience and suitability for the job.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Posts
    196

    Default

    I totally agree with other respondents. 1) Be totally honest and 2) why on earth do you have this on your Resume????

    If I have your situation correct, you quit because guy was either a bully or it was a personality clash. As pointed out already, there is a difference and if I were the interviewer I'd be asking why you did not report it, instead of just leaving! If that is what you did, it doesn't reflect that well on you I'm afraid. Then I ask myself, if that happened, why do you want to work there again?? Has that person left the company? because if not, are you not going to have to face the same thing (bullying or clash) again??

    Being older and wiser, I would probably give this place a miss, particularly if it isn't a large employer given likelihood of you running into this person again.

    Tiger

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Posts
    2

    Default

    Sorry to hear about your bad experience. There are a lot of bullies out there. When you are asked to consider if it was a personality clash, as an HR practitioner, I am sure you can tell the difference. If you can't, be careful about using the word "bully." Honesty is good but unfortunately many interviewers and prospective employers "can't handle the truth." I'm not saying you should lie, but I would be very diplomatic if I were you. Indicate that it was a temporary position and that there were a few reasons you left - the commute and impact on lifestyle is one and the fact it was temporary, you can indicate that you needed time to concentrate on finding a permanent position and, be available for interviews and pursue permanent opportunities which has always been your goal.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    65

    Default

    Hi AED - how did you go at the interview as I remember this was some time ago.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
APS4 - APS6 Recruitment Advisors - Canberra CBD
Posted on 28 Mar 2024 at 12:54pm

P&C Advisor - Melbourne
Posted on 28 Mar 2024 at 4:30am

HR Business Partner - ER - Hills District
Posted on 28 Mar 2024 at 2:22am

VPS5 Senior People Partner - Melbourne
Posted on 27 Mar 2024 at 11:21pm

VPS5 Senior TA Partner - Contract - Melbourne
Posted on 27 Mar 2024 at 11:20pm

RD Writer - Contract - Sydney
Posted on 27 Mar 2024 at 11:20pm

VPS4 HR Business Partner - Contract - Melbourne
Posted on 27 Mar 2024 at 11:16pm

Rostering Officer - Contract - Baulkham Hills
Posted on 27 Mar 2024 at 2:52pm

Workplace Relations Advisor - North Sydney
Posted on 27 Mar 2024 at 4:05am

A06 HR Business Partner - Contract - Brisbane
Posted on 26 Mar 2024 at 11:05am

HR Advisor - Perth
Posted on 26 Mar 2024 at 1:50pm

Employee Relations Manager - Sydney
Posted on 26 Mar 2024 at 1:56am

HR Business Partner - Contract - Perth
Posted on 25 Mar 2024 at 8:31am

HR Manager (Part-Time) - Permanent - Footscray
Posted on 25 Mar 2024 at 8:29am

HR Advisor - Sunshine Coast
Posted on 24 Mar 2024 at 9:48pm


 

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v4.2.1