Sometimes jobs don’t work out, whether they’re not a good fit or the environment turns out to be toxic. Maybe the experience didn’t start out that way, but one day you realize you work in a toxic environment. It could be because of shady business dealings, office gossip, or coworkers overstepping boundaries. Instead of staying in an unpleasant situation, you decide it’s time to move on.
Now that you’re on the job search, you need to explain why you left your toxic job in an interview, while striking a balance between being positive and outright dishonesty.
Tell the (Curated) Truth
You don’t have to lie to explain why you left your toxic job, but you don’t need to tell the whole truth either. Interviewers want to know why the job wasn’t a good fit to understand your past experience and future goals.
Always keep it professional. For example, if leadership was only promoting their friends and family, opt to say something like, “I was ready and willing to take on a management position with more responsibilities, but the company went in another direction. I respect that decision, but I am now ready for a position like [the position you’re interviewing for] and am excited for this next step.”
Let Your Talent Shine
The interview is about you and how you’re an amazing fit for this new job. Avoid talking about how awful your last job was. Keep answers about why you left your toxic job quick and simple and redirect the conversation back to your qualifications and achievements.
Err on the side of sharing less information rather than more. Dwelling on why your last job was toxic might make the interviewer think you’ll speak negatively about their company in the future, making you a hiring risk.
Prove You Learned
Instead of placing all the blame on your company (even if they totally deserve it), focus on what it was that truly made you leave. Turn your departure into a learning experience.
For example, if the future of the company was uncertain, resulting in office gossip, don’t say “I left because other people wouldn’t stop talking about me.”
Instead, say something like, “The company didn’t have a clear direction for the future, and that resulted in discontent among employees. I didn’t really know where the company was going. Instead of hoping for things to change, I made an action plan for how the company could improve. I showed this plan to my manager, but nothing changed. I wish them all the best, but for me, it’s time for a change.”
Remember, this interview is about you and your accomplishments. You should only mention your old, toxic job if your interviewer asks about it. Keep things short, bring the focus back to you, and show that you’re a better employee because of the experience.
Be Ready to Answer the Question
During an interview, you’ll likely be asked why you want to leave your job. With the tips above and help from the Answering the Interview Question ebook, you’ll be ready to answer effectively while showcasing what makes you the best candidate.
About Express Employment Professionals
At Express Employment Professionals, we’re in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Our international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, employing more than 11 million since its inception. For assistance with your job search, visit ExpressPros.com/Job-Seekers or ExpressPros.ca/Job-Seekers.
