Okay, here are the basics:

Out of school for three years. Worked 2.5 at one place, and not .5 years at current place. Make really good money and lots of responsibility.

Problem: I was "sold" a work environment that wasn't what I got, to an extreme. Boss makes at least one person cry every day (lots of females). Out of 20 employees, 5 have quit in the six months I've been here. I know of three more on the way out. Blah, blah, it is very bad.

Question: When I apply for a new job, I do not want to bad mouth the current place because it is not professional.

So when I get asked in an interview why I am leaving, what can I say? I literally love what I do but, I need to leave and work somewhere else for my mental health and stress level due to my boss.

How do I explain this in my cover letter? Any advice?

11/17/2005 1:25:53 PM

You could say your personality didn't fit with your boss's.

11/17/2005 1:28:10 PM

don't mention why you left in your cover letter, only mention why you want to get the job you are applying for, when asked in an interview say you wanted to move forward, and the last job just wasn't what you expected going in

11/17/2005 1:28:15 PM

get rid of your boss and then you won't have to leave

pm me on how to go about this

11/17/2005 1:29:45 PM

say you feel like the new job has better opportunities for you, don't even mention the old job

11/17/2005 1:31:32 PM

i would really like to know why the hell a boss like that is still in charge

11/17/2005 2:21:14 PM

i'm in the same dilemna. choose the job cause of the technology. boss is an asshole! want to quit, but only been here for 3 months.

i need this for my resume - but this guy is a HUGE PRICK.

11/17/2005 2:28:35 PM

Fuck it, move on. Don't mention the old boss in your interview and focus on new opportunities and that kind of thing. Life's too damn short to be miserable.

If it's really the boss, it's not likely to get better. Any chance this is just some kind of adjustment jitters?

11/17/2005 2:41:54 PM

Quote :

"don't even mention the old job "

But they'll probably ask about it.

11/17/2005 2:43:57 PM

Yeah, but don't shoot yourself in the foot by badmouthing the SOB.

11/17/2005 2:45:33 PM

don't mention it AT ALL is the best plan, they want to know what you can do for them and don't give a damn about why you're leaving the other place if you're doing so voluntarliy

and if they do bring it up, just say you thought it was time to look for a different opportunity

they'll know what you're saying and drop it

11/17/2005 2:50:39 PM

I'm currently on day 3....but I don't consider it being a job, I mean I have ovaries so it comes with the territory...

11/17/2005 2:51:06 PM

Say the last job wasnt getting you where you need to be. And then explain to the new people why they ARE what you are looking for. Just brush the last off as quickly but positively as possible, and move the focus to the new one.

11/17/2005 2:55:32 PM

My situation really is my boss. Everyone has their horror stories but this place just isn't for me.

One example is that my boss prides himself that he has never fired anyone. He just makes them miserable until they quit (hence all the crying).

No one is allowed to bring in cake on someones birthday because it is a waste of company expenses and time to sing happy birthday and share cake on a lunch break. This is not hyperbole. He yelled at us for doing this. We didn't even take over an hour break.

Recently a salesman's grandfather died. Instead of letting him off for the funeral, he made him go to NYC on a meet and greet. The boss could have went in his place, as he was in NYC too but, just refused.

The guy owns the company. He can do what he wants but I am not one to whine about it, even if he treats everyone like dirt. I have a responsibility to try to work with him to improve our relationship, and then failing that, find myself a new job.

[Edited on November 17, 2005 at 4:10 PM. Reason : blah]

11/17/2005 4:08:52 PM

^ Good advice. Be positive about the last job if asked and focus on why THIS position works for you.

11/17/2005 4:09:44 PM

firebomb the office

11/17/2005 4:25:06 PM

I believe you have my stapler.

11/17/2005 7:42:52 PM

You work at staples, don't you

11/17/2005 7:44:24 PM

In an interview, if they ask, you can honestly state that you left for ethnical reasons. Don't have to go into detail, but you can say something to the effect of "It was a negative work environment. I enjoyed the work, but the environment itself was hostile and unfriendly". People/interviewers respect somebody who can stand their grounds for what they believe in.

11/17/2005 8:04:11 PM

Quote :

"In an interview, if they ask, you can honestly state that you left for ethnical reasons."

surefire ways to get the job: be open about being racist

11/17/2005 8:31:51 PM

^
Oh dear, I n00bed myself

11/17/2005 8:43:26 PM

Keep working there until you can document a good reason to sue them.

11/19/2005 3:48:52 PM

If you don't like your job, you don't quit! Just go in every day and do really shitty work. That's the American way!

11/19/2005 3:54:25 PM

I would say:

Quote :

"I was "sold" a work environment that wasn't what I got, to an extreme. Boss makes at least one person cry every day (lots of females). Out of 20 employees, 5 have quit in the six months I've been here."

Why is honesty so difficult?

11/19/2005 4:01:01 PM

because bosses dont want to hear that whining shit when they are hiring. you can easily get disqualified if you bitch too much about a previous employer.

Just tell the boss that you are the type of person who constantly looks for ways to improve your skills and abillities and therefore you are seeking a new oppertunity.

[Edited on November 19, 2005 at 4:52 PM. Reason : .]

11/19/2005 4:48:52 PM