“Don’t bad mouth a previous employer at interview”
Is this actually good advice all the time?
I’ve had a few instances in the last week where very well suited applicants have been turned down after interview for the same reason.
The partner client wasn’t convinced about their reasons for leaving a previous role.
Common right?
Maybe, but not for this reason (and frankly, not typically for my applicants).
The advice to avoid bad mouthing a previous employer is (in general), sound.
No one wants to hear anyone talk unprofessionally, and often the sense of who was the REAL problem shifts if you’re aggressive about a previous environment/leadership/culture.
However, we know more now than ever before about toxic environments, poor management practices and unfulfilled promises and bluntly,
You have every right to discuss these things; explaining them carefully, with the right tone of voice can be essential in presenting your narrative.
Both of those candidates, despite advice, just didn’t quite get over their caution on the subject and do you know how it appeared to the business?
Something didn’t add up for them.
“Why would you leave a role with nothing to go to, there’s got to be another side to this story!?”
So be careful, if you don’t find a way to get your truth out, you can look disingenuous.
The candidates were too nice if anything?
So find a way to phrase things, which don’t vibe or feel unprofessional, but tell your truth:
No one should feel like they have to persist in toxic environments these days, and in the right way, it is ok to call out bad practice in an interview for your next role.
If that person doesn’t like that, they’re probably not the Employer you want anyway….
Chris Truman Director
