It’s common sense (well it should be anyway!) that job seekers shouldn’t bad mouth former employers on a job interview.  However, when you’re looking for a new job, there’s always a good reason for it and you should be honest — in a professional way.  I’m not talking about getting into an hour-long drama explaining how tired you are of the office politics.

I read an article where the author stated to use the following reasons to explain why you want to leave your current employer:

1. Seeking new opportunities
2. Looking for more responsibility
3. Interested in career advancement

Yes, these are practical reasons to look for a new gig but they’ve been around FOREVER and are ultra cliché!  Everyone who doesn’t want to talk about the fact that they hate their boss will use one of these reasons.

If one of these reasons are legit for you, skip the cliché and give an example.  For instance, share a relevant and measurable work accomplishment that explains why you’re ready to tackle new responsibilities and how it will add value to an organization.

Unless the person interviewing you has just fallen from a turnip truck or is on their first day of the job, they’ll dig for more information to learn more about why you want to make a change.  It’s best if it comes directly from you instead of having the interviewer make an incorrect assumption about you or your work.

And what if you really are leaving your job because you hate your boss.  Is it best to be honest?  Well, we’d like to think we could be because there is a laundry list of bad bosses out there.  But, like it or not, perception is reality and yes, you will be judged way too harshly if you were that honest.  In this case, my suggestion would be to think of the second most important reason you want to leave your position and go from there.

The most important thing to remember is to be your real, unscripted self.

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BIOGRAPHY

Kimberly Roden is the founder of Unconventional HR.  An HR pro turned consultant, she has 25 years of progressive experience as a strategic HR and business leader in a variety of industries.  Her hands-on and innovative approach allows her to create and deliver HR solutions to meet business challenges and needs by managing human capital, talent acquisition and technology.  Kimberly invites you to connect with her on Twitter or email: kim@unconventionalhr.com">kim@unconventionalhr.com.

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