Did I blow my chance of getting the job?

Question

i had two interviews today and got asked back for a third to meet the vp of sales. I spoke of my previous boss and how his negative reinforcement management style forced me to leave my old company...Did I screw myself by doing this? I also talked about how miserable I was there, but how I still made them a ton of money even with this adversity!

Answer 1

i have to disagree. if this company is run/managed the same way as ur old company, u will be miserable and ur boss will be miserable. better for them to know know what u will and will not tolerate so u figure out right away if it could be a good match.

Answer 2

Two big no no's when interviewing. Don't talk bad about ex boss's and don't talk as if $$ is the most important. Depending on how the rest of the interview went will depend on getting the job. The fact that you got called back for a 3rd interview is a good sign, just don't screw it up when you go back and don't bad mouth your old employers in the interview. It will make them wonder if you whether you can be loyal to their company.

Answer 3

Not sure if you blew your chance. You'll have to let us know. When I interviewed applicants for an agency, I didn't like negative attitudes. Bad-mouthing your former boss was pretty unprofessional. How will they know they can trust you as far as gossiping about THEIR management style, especially if you're representing them in sales.
I think you can blow your own horn, as in making them a ton of money, by not going into detail about your misery. You could have said something like although the atmosphere wasn't one in which you were real comfortable working, because it didn't match your work style, you did your job very well and were extremely produtive for the company.

Then again, if it's a simple job in retail sales, perhaps they don't expect employees to be exceptionally professional or savvy.
Good luck.

Answer 4

It's possible, but not 100%. Some employers don't like to hear you talk bad about old bosses, because that says apathy and pessimism about you. But most employers don't care all that much. Really if you didn't make that big a deal about it, they won't even think twice about it. But if you spent a large part of the interview talking about it, they'll think you're a negative person who can't overcome the adversity, even if you shine in the midst of it. They want to hear longterm from you.

Answer 5

Ending with negativity to the VP is not a good thing. It depends on the first two interviewers and how much of a say they have with the VP

Answer 6

The onle person who can answer this question is really your potential boss.
But, in the future, don't put down previous boss' methods etc. You could be seen as someone who's not flexible, not willing to try and who pushes the boundaries. You want to be seen as someone who'll jump when the boss asks them to, and you want to look as though you support your boss 100% or else why would another boss want a 'troublemaker' on their hands?
...my boss, well ex boss gave me that information when I went for an interview
Good luck :)

Answer 7

It is always a mistake to male negative references to a previous employer. It's possible your prospective employer will ignore it, but not likely. Best of luck tho - try to keep a lid on negatives next time if you do miss out.

Just say you "ran out of challenges" or you felt the job lacked opportunities.

Good Luck!

Answer 8

Doh! purely ensure you're saying sorry for the greeting once you elect to your interview and be expert. Employers like people who're all the way down to earth so it in all probability did not harm you.

Answer 9

I guess if your credentials are outstanding you may be alright. There is a lesson to be learned here. Never, ever, ever talk negatively about a previous employer. You can tell them that you are looking for new challenges or that the opportunity for carrier advancement wasn't there. But never speak bad about your previous employment.

Answer 10

Never ever talk negatively about your last place of employment or the managers, or the owners. This is definitely a no no as you will be taken as a whiner or a back stabber.