What do I say to Interviewer?

Question

Hi! I left my last job because of a coworker bullying me so bad, it caused me physical health problems. I have begun to search for a nice new job, and most interviewers ask why I left my last company. When I told them for health reasons, they always want me to explain. I don't want to let them know of my previous trouble in case they think that I am difficult to work with. What is a tactful way to answer this question without having to explain myself?

Answer 1

i received a guide to study for my interview, for which i am thankful.. and the suggestion for this answer is...
Reasons for change. Best are better opportunity, technical growth, more challenge. Stay away from negative things about present or past employers. Companies don’t want to hire people with this attitude.

here's what i can copy and paste:
1.Dress conservatively, (navy, gray, or black suit). Anything that would be a distraction should be avoided.

2.Arrive early, but not too early! 5-10 minutes is good, NO EARLIER!

3.Make eye contact, express yourself well, and be a good listener.

4.Allow the interviewer to finish statements.

5.Remember, handshakes are important! firm

6.Make a good first impression. Present yourself confidently with enthusiasm (Confidence in a controlled way – not arrogance!!)

7.Take a copy of your resume with you to the interview.

8.Study your resume, as you would study for a test. The interviewer has reviewed your resume and will notice any discrepancies. Know dates, lengths of projects, version numbers, etc. Answer questions regarding past employment quickly, concisely, and accurately!

9.Review information regarding job content, technologies needed, etc…. Draw a correlation between what you have done and what they are looking for. Do this as often as possible.

10.Answer Questions thoroughly, but don’t ramble.

11.Toughest Questions to Answer – What are your strengths and weaknesses?

12.Strengths – Should ALWAYS be work related. The night before, draw up a list of strengths (self directed, ability to work with end users, creative problem solving abilities, leadership ability, big picture skills, look for a better way to do things, etc.) Pick one or two that you are particularly proud of. Use examples to describe a time when you have had an opportunity to use your strengths in previous work experience.

13.Weaknesses- Should also be work related. Most people have a tendency to choose personality weaknesses. Choose something from your resume that is obvious (lack of a certain technology, years of experience, etc.) By choosing something from the resume, you are choosing something they already know, and taking the opportunity to bring it up, address it, and explain why it is not a weakness (ex. “My biggest weakness is that I lack ________. However, in the past, when I have had to learn new things, I have done it very quickly. For example, when I had to learn ______, I did so with limited direction, and ended up becoming the expert in my department. In fact, one of the reasons why I am interested in your position is that I would get the chance to learn _________.”)

14.Reasons for change. Best are better opportunity, technical growth, more challenge. Stay away from negative things about present or past employers. Companies don’t want to hire people with this attitude.

15.Career goals. Break them into long term goals and short term goals. An example of short-term goal, would be to grow technically, and long term might be to move into a position of leadership. Stay away from using the word management! Leadership is a better term.

16.SALARY. Salary and benefits are obviously important. (*please note that this is from an agency*)This should be discussed and handled through us. We will be your employer, not the company you are interviewing with. Questions revolving around “comfort issues” (parking, flex time, dress code, etc.) should not be discussed. Your main goal is to obtain an offer. Any questions you have about these things can be discussed after you leave.

17.In case there is an application to fill out, bring your resume and three technical references with phone numbers. Most applications are verified so do not guess or put incorrect information on the application! For the current salary section, list base, overtime, bonuses, etc. separately, and then total it. For the desired salary, write “negotiable”. DO NOT LEAVE ANYTHING BLANK!

18.MOST IMPORTANT!! Be enthusiastic about the opportunity and leave them with the impression that you are interested.
Suggested statements:
“I am very interested in this position. When can I expect to hear from you?”
“This is what I was looking for! What is the next step in the process?”
The goal of an interview is to get the offer!

Answer 2

I have had rude interviewers before. It was clear that I was not in the running for the job, and so I suppose the ball was therefore in my court and my job was to try an hit an ace. I was relatively inexperienced then, and so I just ignored the ignorance of the interviewer and did my best. Clearly, there are many more different approaches. However, most will not succeed as the position is already filled and the interviewer is just going through the motions. What you want to do, is therefore give a good professional impression of yourself. One which says you accept that you give your best even in the face of certain defeat. A defeatest, would not contest. A competitor, would give their best, and get the interviewer interested in you. You may not get the job, but the interviewer will remember you should you apply for a job in the future. Best to remain professional in all circumstances.

Answer 3

They should never ask about health reasons...but you shouldn't say that either...it leads them to think that you will be calling in sick a lot which does them no good. Whether it's true or not is irrelevent. That'd be the perception that I would have after that statement.

If I were you I'd say "I worked hard for XYZ Company. I was proud of the work I did and I was proud of the company. But, at the end I found myself a little burned out. Rather than lowering my standards and not providing them with an honest 8 hours of work each day I chose to leave."

Of course that won't work if you were only there for a few months....but you get the gist. You left because you couldn't give them an honest days work and it wasn't fair to you or to them and you knew it.

Don't give them a reason not to hire you...make them recognize that you will work hard for them.

Answer 4

Don't tell them health reasons...they'll just worry that you'll be calling in sick too often.

Tell them the truth. Say that there was a coworker threatening you, and instead of causing trouble for your previous managers, you left the company to find something else.

I'm wondering why your previous employer didn't do something to stop the illegal activity that was happening in the workplace...

Answer 5

tell them it was time for you to move on, that you thought that you had come as far as you could at that company, or that you and your boss had different job philosophy's.

Answer 6

LOOKING TO GET INTO ANOTHER FIELD, CLOSER TO HOME, WANT TO RELOCATE AND SEE NEW THINGS. DON'T TELL THEM FOR HEALTH REASONS.