Quitting my job due to a rude co-worker... what to say at interviews?

Question

She insults co-workers and talks back to customers and I can't work with someone like that. When I go to interviews and they ask me why I'm leaving my current job, what can I say so that I don't sound like some sort of back-stabber?

She's an assistant manager, and the manager won't fire her because she does most of his work for him. I've put up with her for 1.5 years now, so this isn't a new problem.

Answer 1

Never tell an interviewer that you left due to conflicts in the workplace. It may make him/her think you cannot work with others even if that is not the case. Simply say you are looking for: a more challenging position, greater responsibility, a larger company, a more varied work day, etc. Should the interviewer ask you details about a previous job, as will surely come up, remain positive and loyal to that company. Otherwise, the interviewer will think you are a gossip or someone that will talk poorly about their company later should you work there. You can say things about yourself like you are a team player, you enjoy a tight-knit working environment where people respect each other, etc. About your present company, mention only the good things and try to ignore the rude person.

The goal is to make yourself looks as good as possible. No employer wants their employees badmouthing them or the company. There are books that offer suggested answers to this type of question. It might be helpful to browse through them before you go out interviewing.

Answer 2

First of all, don't quite your job unless you have something else lined up. Jobs are not that easy to find. Second, why should you end up without a job and your co-worker with one? I know this is really really difficult because I try to do it in my work, but ignore her. If your other co-workers accept how she treats them that's there problem, not yours. Put her in her place if she speaks rudely to her. I wouldn't mention it when interviewing. You might give the impression of someone who isn't a team player. You know you're right, but the person sitting across from you doesn't know you and may wonder.

Answer 3

Well, certainly don't tell them the real reason why you're quitting. no one is is going to hire you if you can't adapt to your surroundings. Have you considered keeping your current job and learning ways to handle adverse situations?.. you are going to run into at least ONE rude co-worker no matter where you go. Hell, if I quit my job every time one of my co-workers was rude, disrespectful, or unprofessional, I'd never work.

At any rate, if you need something to say in an interview, perhaps you could try something like you are looking for a change in environment and feel that working in a different place might open up advantages for advancement.

Good luck either way.

Answer 4

It is unfortunate that these types of people manage to keep their jobs while good employees often leave, or stay and feel abused.

You can tell your potential employer first what you really liked most about your job, then add something like "my manager and I didn't see eye-to-eye on some things and I thought I would be happier working somewhere else."

It is important that they know that you chose to leave, so they don't think that you were being fired. They will appreciate your honesty as long as you don't go into great detail about your clashes with this person.

Answer 5

Be sure to keep your answers positive and certainly don't say you quit because you couldn't get along with a coworker (whether you did or not, this is how it appears). You can say you are looking for better opportunities, or that you prefer a positive environment where you and your coworkers support each other and leave it at that. Many times the interviewer gets what you are implying, without having to hear the actual words.

Answer 6

Here are two options:

Totally leave that situation alone and say that you are looking for a job with more responsibility.

OR

Say that the work environment was difficult and unprofessional, and that management would not change it, so you are looking for a more professional work environment.

Answer 7

I would try to work things out rather than quitting, unless you have a better opportunity elsewhere. Have you ever thought that she is trying to get you to quit? You may be giving her just what she wants...

Answer 8

just tell the interviwer that you have had a disagreement in the workplace and you wished to look for better job oppurtunities because of it. that way you are telling them what they want to hear without blurting out your whole life story. and if they ask anything else just tell them that you didnt like that kind of job environment. good luck finding a new job! :]

Answer 9

inform the new employer that thier was a few unprofecional people that after a while may it very unpleasent to work thier

Answer 10

say it was personality conflicts. if they ask you to elaborate then do.

try to resolve the problem with your employer first. quitting wont solve anything and she gets to keep on being snotty to others.