What do I say when asked why I left the Big 4 after 1 year?

[autisticunemployedbitchparents]

I crashed out due to mental health concerns.
What I should say is:

1. I prefer the culture at a smaller firm bc there's more responsibility, faster growth and more personalised development/support
2. I would rather work at a smaller firm that's expanding than something more established like the Big 4 bc there's more room for innovation/agility
3. Greater variety of clients, in Big 4 you get stuck with one sector/type
4. You can see the whole picture of an audit

Same, I lasted less than a year I hated the culture, the ridiculous corporate nonsense chat, it all seemed so fake and dull. I was paid more but I was bored out of my skull, you couldn’t be creative or innovative, I felt hollowed out inside.

OP I think any of your reasons are fine, if I’m ever asked I say I’m glad I took the opportunity but felt the role didn’t allow me to play to my strengths.

That is what I say

You don't need to say that you hated it but what are your actual reasons?

Your first post was fine. You better specify that you passed your exams and you haven't been fired otherwise I would assume that's your reason.

I interviewed a guy who told me simply he failed his exams, completed his training at a smaller firm and now wanted to move into an advisory specialism.

Most people I interview have qualified at the big 4 and its implied but not specific that they hated it.

Yes say more about them specifically

I also read somewhere it’s good to highlight what you can bring to a company so say what it is you learnt at the Big 4 and then say how you think it will add value to them

Eg I learnt how a big place operates and think I can translate it across more sectors

I mean you can probably come up with better and more specific but to give the gist

Shift more onto what they would get from you

Look op, there's a difference between the truth and the version of the truth that will appeal to the place you're applying to.

Don't think you need to tell them your deepest darkest secrets and insecurities. In a job application, you could say 'it wasn't a good fit, I wanted to work somewhere smaller/with specialism in x/where this different way of working was used' etc

Make it a positive. You didn't run away, you moved on because it wasn't the right place for you to fulfill your potential. The places you're applying to will also be full of non-magic circle people. Don't approach it as if you think both you and they are lesser or failures.