What do you say in a job interview...

[Warthog]

When you're asked for the reason you want to leave your present company?  The real reason I'm looking is because the boss/owner has the business acumen of a toadstool and I'm trying to land a new job before the inevitable bankruptcy.  Ideas?

[Conan The Librarian]

If it's been a bad fit, just be honest about it. Be self deprecating and blame yourself for not having asked more questions before taking the job. Be very complementary of the current company being sure to say how grateful you are for the opportunities they have give you. Don't say anything bad about the other company, and don't give any any specifics even if asked. You need to be the model of discretion.

[Stillkickin]

Say, "I"m looking for a company that will allow me to fully utilize my knowledge, skills, abilities, and enthusiasm for the betterment of that company."

[Old Syko]

Try this.

?  The real reason I'm looking is because the boss/owner has the business acumen of a toadstool and I'm trying to land a new job before the inevitable bankruptcy. 

You might be surprised at the response.  If not, what are you out?  Rest assured though that there will be follow-up questions if you take this route.  If you can provide reasonable and rational answers to prove your knowledge and value you may have an in.  If not, maybe your present employer is right and you just don't get it. 

[mcwoodduck]

Bad mouthing the boss or owner is never a good idea.  Even if it is common knowedge in the industry that the guy is a 5 beers short of a six pack.
You leave current jobs for;
Better Pay
Better position (higher up on the food chain)
Peter principal (I was promoted to managment and I really like being ______ that I was good at.  Outside sales vs. sales manager)
Less travel. (to office or around the map)
Chance for advancement- Always a good idea to tell the new company that you see them as a place for growth as their company grows. ( I once was hired and got a bump in pay as the Regional MGR asked me where i saw my self in 5 years- I said his job, he asked where he was going to be I said the VP's Job, who was in the room, he too was a quart low and asked where he was going to be, I said retired and playing golf from the bonus checks i was going to earn him.
In the case of a publicly held company - the option to own some shares of stock and tripple dip in the company (Higher pay, advancement and promotion for my steller work as well as making the company more profitable so our stock can rise)
Always be positive.  Make lateral moves sound like oppertunities to climb the ladder, make lower moves seem better - "I would rather be a Captain in the US Army than be a General in the Bermuda army.  I would be in charge of more stuff and see more action."

[Shu]

Never bad mouth the current job at an interview. I know when I conduct an interview and someone says thier old boss is an idiot, it makes me wonder what the problem was. I don't hesitate to call former employeers either. Sometimes I get an answer from a a previous boss, that the person is a heck of a good worker they are just way under utilized.
If you say you were a bad fit and you didn't understand your former boss, that is my clue there is a conflict. I don't hold that against someone. Not everyone gets along. Bad mouthing your previous boss makes me wonder when you will start doing that to me and how much of the problem you actualy were.

Negative attitudes never get a call back for the job.

Reason for leaving a job, I am looking for more uppward mobility, I am looking for a chance to gain more education/experience from a larger company etc. Always do your research about the job you are applying for.

[magooch]

In the one and only job interview that I ever had, i thought I had blown it, because I didn't understand some of the terminology that was used by one of the interviewers.  I think that he thought I was lying about my experience and training.  Anyway, I got the job--times were very different then--and that same interviewer who just about everyone thought was a prick with ears, became a personal friend and mentor.

I guess it pays to be 22, just out of the service and know everything there is to know that is worth knowing.

[Old Syko]

Reason for leaving a job, I am looking for more uppward mobility, I am looking for a chance to gain more education/experience from a larger company etc.

I did a lot of hiring and firing in my day and if I ever heard such a BS statement as this, you could hear your resume hit the shredder as you left.  I looked for honesty and not canned answers that told me nothing about you.  I hired people that weren't afraid to speak their mind.  If they hated my guts, I had a right to know it up front and I would do the same with them.  My hiring practices practically eliminated turn over for this very reason. 

[Shu]

There are canned answers that may seem like BS and that is fine, each employeer will make up thier own mind. I do know that if you bad mouth your old company/boss it is a big negative and can bite you on the back side.

I have conducted 1 or 2 interviews, I get canned answers, I get candid answers. I try to make the interview long enough to get a feel for the person if they are a good fit or not. Some interviews were as little as 5 minutes others were about 45 minutes. Sometimes you could spot a liar easily, sometimes you could spot a guy that needed a job desperately.
I hired a guy once that needed a job desperately, no one knew how bad he needed the job until years later. He had some canned answers, but I just had a feeling he would be a good fit. I never regretted the day I hired him and was at his promotion party when he became my boss. It worked out very well for me.

To each his own.

[Pat/Rick]

+1 old syko.  Firm, honest, assertive, answers, be yourself. Popularity is for prom queens, wages are for workers, paychecks are for employees.(yes there's a difference)

[Empty Quiver]

I try to exhibit a positive attitude and tell the truth.

 "The way the economy is I'm not sure the company can avoid bankruptcy. Things are very tight and I owe it to my family and myself to earn a living.  I have worked for Gotrocks Industries for X years and don't exactly like the thought of leaving but this is what it has come to."

I would leave my opinion of the boss's business accumen out of the conversation. They may know each other socially for all you know.

[mcwoodduck]

OH one other thing,
When ever I went int othe job intervioew and asked what the company has to offer me, and asked aboout the company, ho it works and take and interest in their company I have been offered the job.

[PowPow]

If I had an opinion about an impending bancruptcy, I would keep that to myself.
It would be a prediction of the outcome of a course of action that I did not agree with.
It could go the other way.

In a job interview, if asked why I left, I would say that I did not agree with the particular long term vision and strategy of the business. If pressed, I would offer factual examples of strategies you do not agree with, rather than predictions of the outcome.

Might sound better than "business acumen of a toadstool".

[Casull]

I did a lot of hiring and firing in my day and if I ever heard such a BS statement as this, you could hear your resume hit the shredder as you left.  I looked for honesty and not canned answers that told me nothing about you.

That's good advice if you want to hire someone who doesn't have the tact necessary to deal with clients, employees, management, etc.

[Old Syko]

I did a lot of hiring and firing in my day and if I ever heard such a BS statement as this, you could hear your resume hit the shredder as you left.  I looked for honesty and not canned answers that told me nothing about you.

That's good advice if you want to hire someone who doesn't have the tact necessary to deal with clients, employees, management, etc.

Actually it works out just the opposite.  If you have to put on airs and speak differently to get a job than what you naturally would, don't expect to keep that job long if someone makes the mistake of giving it to you.  Being honest and being yourself from jump street allows everyone to know where they stand and where they can expect to stand in the future.  Canned answers and trying to speak in tones or a manner not in the norm for you does nobody any good.

[Casull]

Old Sycko, exactly what about this answer do you find "canned" or not honest?  "Reason for leaving a job, I am looking for more uppward mobility, I am looking for a chance to gain more education/experience from a larger company".  Saying everything that crosses your mind may be honest, but it's also stupid, at least at times.  Most grown ups have some form of internal filter.  I would not hire someone who though honest, lacked any degree of tact.  YOU may find brutal honesty best, but I doubt one of your customers that's been insulted would agree.

[Old Syko]

Casull, I didn't retire at the age of 55 because I was stupid.  My way works and I have proven it.  The term "upward mobility" I always find humorous.  Just another one of those PC human resources terms.     You're not looking to sprout wings and fly.  You're looking for a better job.

I would not hire someone who though honest, lacked any degree of tact.

Neither would I, but then again, I wouldn't hire someone who spoke one way in an interview and another when the interview was over.

[Casull]

Old Sycko, I was not implying that you were stupid.  I'll bet you don't say EVERYTHING that crosses your mind, regardless of who or what it impacts.  And, yes, "upward mobility" was probably coined by some HR person.  That doesn't change the fact that it is a decent description for "looking for a better job".   

[Shu]

Upward mobility was coined by some HR type. I was put into a supervisory for  2 reasons. One was technical expertise the other was I could follow the guidelines to straighten things out. I got the original welder/fitter fired becuase he kept refering to a mentally handicapped man that works for me as an (censored word) retard, 3 strikes and you're out. I fired the next one for saying those non politically correct things to the new welder. You know things like nice rack and it got much worse (the politically correct term was sexual harrasment). You would think people would learn to filter thier mouths a little bit in the work place. I have one on three days without pay for using racial slurs. When he comes back we will have a chat about what is expected from an employee. Yes all three of these people were just saying honest things. Two are without jobs, the third will be soon if he don't knock it off.

You can say my hiring strategies are BS, politically correct or whatever you want. When I hire someone it is to do a job not call people names or provide a place for hook ups. Part of the evaluation process is how you get along with co workers. Sometimes saying the brutally honest thing is good, sometimes it will get you fired.

Yes, I hired a guy with zero experience he was flipping burgers for minimum wage. He said he wanted to work somewhere he could get more money and advance himself. He is defintely upward mobile now, and getting experience/education. He is going to night school at the community college, if it works out well, we will get him on contract for his four year degree so he can attend and keep his family fed. He might make a good engineer I  don't know, he went from flipping burgers to laborer to technician in two years. I think I would call that upward mobile and advancing education/experience. I don't know what the non politically correct term would be.

You hire and fire your way, I'll do it mine and I'll keep getting some nice pay raises soon as the president unfreezes our salaries.

[SHOOTALL]

Its been over 20 years since I looked for a job . But I have hired several hundred in those years . Be honest even consertive . Be willing to work a probation period . I like it when someone says give me a week and you will see how I work ( you should be willing to take a chance and prove yourself ). Don't talk bad about where you have worked its a big turn off. Be honest about what you want in a company also. Be positive about your skills but no braging . Are you willing to learn new skills even if school is on your time ? express this if it applies.

[Old Syko]

Shu, in other words you're using your position to advance your own PC, liberal agenda.  You're concerned with what people say above and beyond what they do.  This is the major problem with the workplace today.  I worked side by side with everyone I ever hired.  They were everything from a wannabe minister to X convicts.  It was understood from the beginning, thin skin wouldn't survive.  Playing PC games costs company time and money and since money is what we are all after, why would I, as an investor invest in a company that supported such things?

I'm not looking to change anyone's hiring practices.  At this point, it isn't going to matter anyway.  The OP asked a question and I gave him a response that I know works if he's looking for a real job.  If he's looking for a job where he's going to be surrounded by babysitters with an agenda I assure you my way won't work.

[SHOOTALL]

SHU in construction around here you might not fare so well .

[Shu]

Old Syko,
I really don't think you would tell your boss to go "F" himself or call an autistic man trying to earn a living a Fing retard. I think you would go to work to get a job done and you want to get paid for your time. Who wouldn't?

Shootall,
I allready know I wouldn't like working construction. I got respect for the trades people but I know it isn't for me. Yes, I have rolled up my sleeves and have had a couple parking lot discussions before, I just think there is a much better way now.

I don't think the OP wants a babysitter and I sure as heck don't run a babysitting service.

My liberal, PC agenda is keeping the 53 people working for me employed. If that means not calling some big shot an idiot, for asking why steel is stronger than aluminum then thats what I wil do. If one of the 53 people came to work to play games, name call and sexually harrass someone, they will find it isn't tolerated. When one of those 53 has something to say I listen to what it is. It may save a life. All but 5 of those 53 work hands on with explosives a certain level of maturity is expected.

I am a student of Ford and Demming. I wouldn't call either PC, I would call both performance orientated.

Do what it takes to get the job, as long as you do not dishonor yourself. Then prove how valuable you are by working hard.

[SHOOTALL]

When tradesmen come to work they bring a marketable skill , we are talking journeman and masters . When they work an apprintce they are teaching him their job or in effect to take their job. The process involves making sure the app. listens and learns and also deserves the teaching of the skill. I the trades I am in pressure is something that is almost day to day and before wasting time on skill the app. must prove his or her ablity to handle pressure and think on their feet . To out siders or non skilled folks this might look mean but consider the stakes involved if this person fails in the future and the loss wealth or maybe life . Better to forego PC . As for telling a boss or owner they are wrong , been there done that , like I said a marketable skill thing . In most cases a good boss will be glad you did as it either saved them money or embarresment in the long run. I guess the worst case that I had was refusing to place workers in an area that contained asbestous until it was encapulated . I got run off the job . Later the guy who ran me off the job and I became good friends , he told me I was the fisrt to not back down from him and he respected me for that and the fact I had been right.
Panty waist PC has no place in construction and few can handle it .

[Old Syko]

Shu, I actually went a step above what you claim I wouldn't do.  Had the GM of my company, who was supposed to be my immediate boss, show up at a job site and attempt to tell my crew what to do.  After he and I had a rather heated exchange, I had him escorted by security from the premises.  Next morning he was assigned, by the company owner, to a work crew as a helper and I assumed the duties of GM while working my regular jobs.  Yes in the real world, outside government controls, If you're thought to be a retard, that is how you will be referred to.

SHOOTALL makes an excellent point.  Why should anyone be saddled with babysitting people who may never be able to carry on?  But then again.  Why should anyone be restricted as to what they can say or be told how they have to act in the workplace?  If you don't like the way I do business you should have never hired me.  This is why I demanded honesty and being straight forward in an interview.  It's also why I never hired anyone after 1 interview.

The last year I worked I witnessed 1 death and was on the scene only seconds after 2 others.  These were all employees of companies other than my own and all 3 were the result of either poor training or an inability to comprehend.  Had someone gotten in the faces of those at fault at some point, maybe 3 people would still be here to day.  Written reprimands and scoldings after the fact didn't do a lot of good.       

[Shu]

Old Syko,
I have no doubt you kicked some butt in your day. I actually think you would have been very good to work for. Honest and hard working, that is all anybody asks for. I think you would help a guy out just as quick as you would kick his backside for not doing his job. There is a difference between being handicapped and being a knuckle head. A knuckle head you can call Fing retard and I won't argue with you.
You are so right after the fact does no good. That is why I try to head those problems off.
I do not try to control someones behavior unless I absolutely have to, if your behavior will get someone hurt expect me to be in your back pocket. Otherwise you get paid to do a job, I am not going to tell you how to do it.
You are very correct about training and laying it out. I have been mandated each person recieves 40 hours of training per year, I add another 40 hours of training I pay out of my work budget. With 20 of those hours being on safety training.
I don't believe in coddling or hand holding. I do believe in pushing people to maximize their performance and get them into the spot they enjoy working.

I fired the guy for sexual harrasment 1) he made some rude comments 2) he decided to grope her and I don't mean pat her on the butt. He was way over the line on that. If this was your wife or daughter what would you have me do? If I don't protect the employee from this crap what kind of boss am I?
She is one of the best welders I have ever seen or had work for me and has no problem telling me I don't know jack about welding. I respect that, I don't know jack about welding.
The guy I fired for calling the autistic worker a fing retard was warned several times. He had it out for him and would play mean spirited jokes on him that went way beyond jokes.  He just wouldn't stop, so he had to go. The autistic guy works 20 hours a week and follows the rules he was given. He is a very good worker, just a guy trying to make a living.
The guy using racial slurs had been warned several times, I got my point across. He is back at work and we had our chat. He is a good worker and I value that, but I don't have time for his crap. I have never fired anybody for disagreeing with me, and I haven't fired anybody for coarse langauge nor will I.
As for hiring apprentices etc, yes I will do that, I will hire journeymen also. If someone has fire in their belly I will help them to whatever career path they are looking for. I give assignments I expect them done. Just as I am given an assignement, my feet are held to the fire on.

Sometimes my hands are tied by the Fed, sometimes the Fed helps.

[SHOOTALL]

Shu first you done good , There is a difference in pushing someone and what you mentioned .We had a guy with less than normal intel. he knew it and so did everyone else. He was a good helper and most liked him. we had one AH that rode him hard. All could tell it was working on the guy. One monday he came in and ask the bully to leave him alone , bully didn't so the guy planted a 2lb. drilling hammer in his forehead . After that they seemed about matched mentaly . No charges were filed after all were interviewed. Then I know one helper that had his waist and cuffs duct taped and grease pumped into his pants until it ozzed out the cloth.

[Old Syko]

Shu first you done good , There is a difference in pushing someone and what you mentioned .We had a guy with less than normal intel. he knew it and so did everyone else. He was a good helper and most liked him. we had one AH that rode him hard. All could tell it was working on the guy. One monday he came in and ask the bully to leave him alone , bully didn't so the guy planted a 2lb. drilling hammer in his forehead . After that they seemed about matched mentaly . No charges were filed after all were interviewed. Then I know one helper that had his waist and cuffs duct taped and grease pumped into his pants until it ozzed out the cloth.

Now that was well worth the read!  Still got tears in my eyes.   

[Shu]

There is a huge difference between some tradesmans rights of passage and a male employee groping a female. I am not sure what I would do if the helper came to me with his pants full of grease. I think I could live with that, I may laugh a bit and might talk to someone about it (I would have that conversation off line though). I may not approve but it is a tradesman right of passage and it means acceptance into the shop most times.  Good natured things like that are not really an issue.

The carpenter got his boots nailed to the ceiling for making a rude comment to the welder. She got her point across, no action by me. I still laugh about it.

One of the heavy equipment operators got his hardhat filled with epoxy for good naturedly calling his engineer a geek. The hard hat was full of epoxy with a note attached Geeks Rule.
It was /is funny and they get along well. Again no action by me.

 One of the guys put my picture on a mask and was imitating me, then they put the mask on a dummy and blew him up during a test.
They showed me the video and played that video for my bosses. Heck yes it was funny and heck yes one day I will get them all back.

I was talking about poisoning the work environment. That gets my attention real quick.

[Casull]

I was talking about poisoning the work environment. That gets my attention real quick.

Exactly Shu.  Some guys get all caught up in themselves and want to label everything PC so they can ridicule it.  However, if it happened to their daughter, wife, sister, they'd be the first to go off.