words...

So, I have an interview tomorrow at noon for a new job. I quit my old one because my employer had an unhealthy porn addiction that he fulfilled at work while there were customers (including small children) in the store. He also hit on employees and customers and was known to hire girls because they were pretty or had nice boobs. The list goes on, but that's the majority of it.
Now to my question...if this person asks why I quit, what is a pc/appropriate way of putting any, or all of it? I'm also prepared to say that the job was too far away (which it was).

11/15/2006 11:07:36 PM

where was this...i might wanna work there

11/15/2006 11:17:26 PM

just politely say you disagreed with the work habits of your co-workers, that it wasn't a very comfortable environment to work in

[Edited on November 15, 2006 at 11:22 PM. Reason : you don't have to freely give details, if they ask you can always politely decline to explain]

11/15/2006 11:22:02 PM

Be straightforward, but don't linger on it. Tell the interviewer that the environment was uncomfortably personal, and that you'd rather move forward with a new company. I've conducted a few interviews: rule no. 1 is not to slam your former employer. With the statement above, you eliminate causal agency (they won't know if it was your boss, another employee, or what), you reassure the interviewer that you're not into lawsuits, and you also come off as fairly adult about the situation: it was uncomfortable and too personal, so I'm seeking employment elsewhere.

Honesty is good, but you don't want to come off as either overly sensitive or grudging.

11/15/2006 11:22:29 PM

You could tell a humorous anecdote to illustrate your previous boss' incompetence. Bonus points for making the interview interesting.

Example:

My boss came in at lunch and said he was leaving early that day and that I would be in charge of the floor for the afternoon. A half hour later, I had to go in the back to get some supplies, and when i switched the lights on, I saw my boss in front of the stock room computer with his pants around his ankles. I quickly made a u-turn but before I could get out, he told me you're movin' with your auntie and uncle in bel-air. I whistled for a cab and when it came near the license plate said fresh and it had dice in the mirror. If anything I could say that this cab was rare but I thought, "Nah, forget it. Yo home to Bel-Air!"

[Edited on November 15, 2006 at 11:33 PM. Reason : safsd]

11/15/2006 11:25:54 PM

^omg plz say that!!

11/16/2006 1:15:25 AM

^^ WINNER

11/16/2006 1:32:06 AM

^^^dammit, i always fall for that shit

11/16/2006 1:35:49 AM

don't badmouth your previous employers. it's a warning sign during interviews

11/16/2006 2:42:21 AM

^ Agree. Potential employers seem to want to hear some happy horseshit. If you fall for the trap and tell them the unvarnished truth, you usually pay the price of not getting the job. I suppose the idea is to properly varnish the truth--spin it in your favor, in other words.

11/16/2006 4:54:59 AM

I'd just say it was too far away or the work wasn't very challenging, etc. etc. etc.

11/16/2006 8:22:26 AM

Quote :

"just politely say you disagreed with the work habits of your co-workers, that it wasn't a very comfortable environment to work in"

or something even less obvious

11/16/2006 8:30:07 AM

I've been in quite a few interviews, and I don't remember employers even asking why I quit previous jobs. Which has always been a good thing for me, because I've walked out of jobs before that I was dissastisfied with, and I never had to bring it up. Mostly they'll ask questions like, "did you ever disagree with your last employer/disagree with certain policy of your previous job, etc., and what did you about it?" And that's when you act like everything was hunky dory but you're looking for something more challenging.

[Edited on November 16, 2006 at 8:59 AM. Reason : as]

11/16/2006 8:55:43 AM

Quote :

"Mostly they'll ask questions like, "did you ever disagree with your last employer/disagree with certain policy of your previous job, etc., and what did you about it?" And that's when you act like everything was hunky dory but you're looking for something more challenging."

but if the interview sees Enron on your resume as your last employer, they'd probably expect a different answer.

11/16/2006 9:48:32 AM

Tell them that you felt some of the actions of you previous co-workers were innapropriate for the workplace and it made you a little uncomfortable. Then tell them that you feel like the place you are interviewing would provide a more professional environment.

11/16/2006 1:41:16 PM

Never talk shit. For all they know you were fired.

11/16/2006 1:42:24 PM

Well played, skokiaan.

11/16/2006 4:13:00 PM

where was this...i might wanna work there

11/16/2006 4:24:02 PM

generally you shouldn't bad mouth previous employers, i think that unfortunately hr will often assume you were the problem in the relationship.

11/16/2006 4:27:34 PM