Help job interview!

[Bummywitch]

I have a job interview Wednesday. On paper I am a bit overqualified for it and it is a fairly significant paycut. However, my current job is draining the life out of me and I need to leave it for my own mental health. Without going into too much detail I was promoted into my current role without being qualified for it, our MD leaves extremely important things to me which I literally have no idea how to do, the whole organisation is badly run and completely disorganised and I work well over and above my hours. I want a simpler job with a bit less responsibility and fewer hours.

They are bound to ask me why I want to leave my job. What am I meant to say?!

No advice but I'm interested too because I'm kind of in the same situation. x

Also following! Is the new place different enough that you can say you recognise it’s a pay cut but you’ve always had a passion for doing “x” rather than “y” (what you’re doing now) ... . Or is it very similar but a step down?

No it's pretty similar, just a little less responsibility. Same industry.

Will you get a decent reference from current place? You could just be honest I guess? But it’s so tricky isn’t it because you don’t wanna come across like “hey I need something less stressful so am applying for this” - which is kinda where I’m at!

I think you've put it pretty eloquently actually. Honesty is good. If you can put things positively they will see what you are trying to say.

'You company attracts me because it seems well run' aka where I am is not

'I was promoted into a role that I didn't feel quite ready for; the training and support wasn't in place and whilst I have tried to overcome this I feel this role will suit my current skills better'. Something along those lines will say I recurved no support even though I asked for it.

Recurved? Is that an actual word autocorrect? I meant received- sorry

Yes, I should get a decent reference.

It's so hard to explain. It's like, I really don't mind stress but I do mind the cause of stress being disorganisation and mismanagement from elsewhere iyswim. I'm quite happy in pressured situations.

It's a first interview which will then lead to a second if they like me so I really don't want to say the wrong thing.

I would say that you wish to move to a company with a similar ethos as the one you are applying for - I would focus it on the company you are applying for - I wouldn't mention the one you are leaving.

I totally get that some companies are shocking to work for. I've jumped ship myself in similar circumstances - however I interview myself and someone saying 'I don't like the way my current company runs' or similar however well worded would start alarm bells ringing. I would think that you might be awkward or demanding or might want to start taking over - of course I know it might not be you but I wouldn't run the risk.

I recently hired a woman and when she had been with us a bit she announced how awful it was where she had come from and thank goodness we had saved her. She's brilliant at the job but she never gave an inkling that she hated her old job at interview.

Write yourself some possible questions and how you will answer them. I don't mind helping you if you want.