How to Talk About a Negative Experience at a Previous Job During an Interview

At some point in their career, nearly every member of the workforce finds that their “dream job” doesn’t exist. Even what seems perfect on paper and an ideal culmination of previous education and work experience often falls short of our expectations. , office culture and particularly difficult managers can overshadow the good.

But even after leaving the position, you’re probably not completely behind. There’s a good chance you’ll be featured in your next interview. Here are some strategies for speaking in an honest and professional way when negative experiences from previous jobs come up in an interview.

Focus on goals, not complaints

Instead of listing your frustrations with your previous job, discuss your career goals and how this potential new position will help you reach those goals. Or, as Caroline Ceniza-Levine put it in her Forbes article, “Talk about what you’re looking for, not what you’re running from.”

emphasize the positive

Given that you are actively looking for a new position, the interviewer is aware that something went wrong with your previous job. Again, rather than thinking defensively as if I should point out all the reasons why the previous job didn’t work, emphasize its positive side instead.

If the interviewer asks you a specific question about why you left the job, be sure to answer (diplomatically). But if you’re simply asked to talk about your previous roles, you can start with something positive, such as learning a new skill or having the opportunity to work with talented people.

If you need to address a negative point, be brief and discreet

There may be no way around having to deal with the downsides of your previous job.If that happens, it’s not your invitation to vent. Instead, answer the interviewer’s question as discreetly and concisely as possibleInstead of revealing your former employer’s secrets or specific shortcomings, find a general way to discuss what went wrong.

The company you are interviewing with may find the information useful from a broader business perspective, but your willingness to discuss it may deter them when it comes to hiring you. No. If you were comfortable sharing these things about your former employer, they may be worried that you will do the same after you leave the company.