How can I stay positive in an interview when my current job is crap?

Question

I've been reading a lot of "How to do well in an interview" type stuff. They all tell you not to be negative about your current/past job. I can't think of many nice things to say about my current job. The Exception has become the Rule in almost every aspect. Things are very inconsistent and just don't make sense. The salesman are all out for themselves and their clients, and don't care if it screws anyone else over. I make tons of suggestions to help things run smoother, but they don't like change so all I get is "That's a good idea", but it's never implemented, or "Well, uh...we can't do that...it won't work...blah blah blah". The honest answer to "Why did you leave your last job?" is "because my managers were idiots!"
"When is the last time you thought outside the box?" We aren't allowed to think outside the box. And even if we do, it's really only common sense, which to normal people is nothing spectacular. My job itself isn't difficult, but the environment is.

I realise every workplace has difficult people and challenging situations, but if you visited my work, you would see how asinine things are.

Well, that's my question - how DO I put a positive spin on things?

Do failed/ignored suggestions count as accomplishments? "I had this great idea, but no one liked it." That won't work. The only thing that has worked is that I updated some file folders, and I made the route sheets match the routes in the computer. How impressive is that? Not very.....

To clarify, they DON'T tell me why it won't work. They just say it won't. That's really the answer I get - "Oh, well......" and nothing after that.

Answer 1

LOL! Sounds like me years back!

Well, you will come to find that this may be the same way at your next job. All jobs are easy to grasp with proper training, it's the dealing with others part is where the real skill comes into play!

Everyone knows a lot of crap goes down, that there are a lot of problems within a company, and they looks for those with positive attitudes because they want to be convinced you will put up with it and not go "postal".

This is no surprise giving the restricted time limit of interviews. They go quickly, and they have several questions designed to gain a superficial snap-shot of you because that's all that can be done. They do not have time to speil philosophical and how you think things should be done. Those sales people you mentioned have a set of priorities of their own, and while your suggestions seem reasonable, they just do not play into their daily reality. That is why it porbably doesn't change. To affect real change you have to be high-up!

Managers are idoits everywhere! I can understand because the higher you go you become out of touch with the everyday stuff.

I don't know what to tell you - it's really a hit or miss - but one thing is for sure - don't be negative! The interview is not a place for you to vent! Also, perceptions are different amoung strangers. They have no reason to believe you when you say your managers were wrong and you knew ho to fix things. You, unto yourself, are not a reliable source to them, you could juts be a crazy ranter! Instead turn it into a positive. Just white lie a bit, saying that you made such and such suggestions to fix the problems you saw and that they are being impletmented. Say you have done what you can there and wish to grow by taking up a new challenge elsewhere. If it is for the exact same job then say you want to explore the same skills used at another company - whatever....just blow some smoke up their ***!! It's all about who can BS the most and fit it with the new group! If you are negative they think you will not fit in and be a bummer.

Happy Holidays!

Answer 2

An interviewer who hears an interviewee slam their previous workplace, co-workers and boss knows they can expect the same if they hire the person they're interviewing. Thus, they won't hire them.

The "how to" isn't telling you to say positive things about your current job. It's telling you to steer clear of outright judgment and criticism, and instead make an objective observation. That can be tough to do when you're in the thick of things, but your question bellows loud and clear what is wrong with your current job: no teamwork.

When asked why you want to leave your current job, briefly mention the lack of teamwork. Don't go on and on about it. Say as much in one sentence. Then counter this by taking a minute or two to mention your teamwork skills (your ability to work well with others, your ability to communicate clearly and listen attentively, and your recognition of others when they do a good job).

Just about every company has a mission statement. If the company you're interviewing for has one, read it and use what it says to sell yourself and list your assets to the company in the interview.

The mission of companies who don't have mission statements can still be found out by getting to know what they do, what they sell (goods or services or both), and who their customer is.

You want to leave your current job because of the lack of teamwork. This deserves only brief mention. You would then do well to shift the focus to your assets and how your assets will benefit the company for which you are interviewing.

Answer 3

The more interviews you go on, the easier it gets. Just make sure you say somewhat obscure things like, "The people I work with are great, I just feel like I have so much more to offer than my current position allows," and "They've taught me a lot." A lot of what? Have a general answer ready, but don't volunteer it because you may have a problem sounding truthful!

Answer 4

Write down bullet points both pros and cons. Keep a good attitude about your current job even if it sucks. You have learned how NOT to work from the other employees, now turn that around and how would you (if you were running the show) turn things around? Think of things like this. You had this job for a reason, find it and move on to higher planes.
Best of luck!
CathyH

Answer 5

Just say the job wasn't a fit for you and you'd like grow in your career and leave it at that. No need to elaborate.

Think about a situation out of your job where you thought outside the box - solving a problem you had in another aspect of your life (not too personal though) or in school.

Answer 6

I would not hire you because you have unrealistic expecations of things. You will have to have a paradigm shift on your current job. I think you definitely have a bad attitude and don't understand the sitaution. For example when the managers tell you why something won't work you don't listen. You only look from your own perspective. I want to hire someone that can look from multiple perspectives. Yes, you are negative. Try thinking about this:
what have you learned from this job?
what have you gained from this job?
What have you learned about human nature and motivation?
What have you learned about communication?
what have you done to contribute to the problem situation?
what have you done to improve things?
or did you just expect management to make the changes that would improve things?
what have you done to make your good ideas possible to implement?
How will you apply all that to do better in the next job.

blaming management is an immature attitude; start implementing your own good ideas.

the best thing is to start your own company if you're so smart and know how to do everything; there's no boss and you can do whatever you want and implement all your own ideas. get busy. because depending on others for employment means you will never have the power you want.

Answer 7

It's not so much about being "positive" as it is about your wording. Or, the spin you put on it.

BAD:
"The other salesmen were selfish and cutthroat."

GOOD:
"The other salesmen were passionate go-getters, and at first I had trouble getting some sales of my own. Soon enough, I realized that by providing great customer service, my customers would seek me out, coming back to me time and again. Eventually I had a steady client base."



It's all about your wording, and the values you project through your answers. The direction your answers take is under your control. Make sense?

Answer 8

OK, focus on you and not on your job. Focus on how you were positive when the environmen might not have been ideal. Don't let your interviewers get the impression that every thing was peachy-keen at your old job (if it was, why would you be looking for a new one), but let them know how you've grown and changed.
Q: "Why did you leave your last job?"
A: Because I don't think it was the best environment for promoting my work ethic. Innovation and and suggestions for improvement were not accepted.

Focus on you, not on your old crappy job.

Answer 9

Be honest. The fact that you desperately want out of your current job is more than enough motivation to do well on your interview. Focus on your abilities and what you can offer versus the incompetent twits you have to deal with now. Good Luck.

Answer 10

You can always say that you were looking for a new challenge and growth opportunity. You don't have to criticize your current employer while trying to find a new job. Think about what you expect from a prospective employer, knowledge, upward mobility, etc and let them know what you can do for them, sell yourself so that they know what an asset they'll have by hiring you.
Good luck!