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Original poster

Walked out of job yesterday, what to say if other employers ask?

30 replies

Andhereweare5 · 17/02/2023 13:21

Posting for traffic and looking for some advice.

I'll try not to ramble on.

I walked out of my job yesterday after 3 years of pure hell. I sent my manager an email resigning with immediate effect, couldn't even bare to work my notice period. It was working in an HR office which was completely toxic. I have no idea how I lasted as long as I did, some people couldn't even make it past 6 months. She's given me until next Thursday to reconsider but I've made up my mind. This job has had a huge impact on my mental health as the last few months have been particularly bad and I've been so stressed and fed up recently. I've already applied for a few jobs and have had a couple of voicemails left this morning, but I have no idea what to say if they ask me why I left, or why I left without having another job lined up first. Any ideas? I don't want to lie but I know how bad it will look if I slag off the company to a potential new employer. My previous employer only provide generic references and basically list dates of when people worked for them so I doubt a new employer would find out that way either.

I have savings so not too worried about paying the bills or anything yet.

OP posts:
LadyGardenersQuestionTime · 17/02/2023 13:25

Bland "new challenges/new focus" in anything written; if it comes up in interview phrase it as "looking for a more nurturing/quality-focussed/whatever environment". (although you were in HR, surely you've read/heard loads of this kind of stuff?)

VladmirsPoutine · 17/02/2023 13:25

If they're going to provide a generic reference either way then that's pretty much 99% of the fallout dealt with. You don't need to 'lie', or disparrage your old workplace as true as whatever you say might be it doesn't shine you in a good light. In that case why not go with the usual things people trot out about wanting a change, a new challenge, broadening your horizons both personally and professionally, felt you'd progressed as far as you could in old job... and that sort of thing.

NigelHargreaves · 17/02/2023 13:28

I’m sorry that I’ve no suggestions OP, did you mean what reason can you give for not working your notice?

CitizenofMoronia · 17/02/2023 13:29

Get signed up with an agency to cover the gap and ignore it. the reference will be generic anyway so nothing to cover up.

Uptownswirl · 17/02/2023 13:29

End of contract term will suffice

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 17/02/2023 13:34

CitizenofMoronia · 17/02/2023 13:29

Get signed up with an agency to cover the gap and ignore it. the reference will be generic anyway so nothing to cover up.

Yep. Agency might ask but all they care about is can you turn up, do the job and not take the piss. Used this option when I was scapegoated by a useless manager back in the 90s.

DoNotGetADog · 17/02/2023 13:36

A lot of the time these days they don’t really ask those type of questions any more.

You can resign for any reason you want. It’s not like you were sacked for gross misconduct and are trying to cover it up.

You could just say “it was time to move on.”

KatherineJaneway · 17/02/2023 13:52

I wouldn't ask why someone left their last job, very few would ever answer truthfully anyway.

Pearlygates · 17/02/2023 14:08

KatherineJaneway · 17/02/2023 13:52

I wouldn't ask why someone left their last job, very few would ever answer truthfully anyway.

Exactly. Anytime I am asked that question in an interview I always say it was a FTC.

ladymacbeth · 17/02/2023 14:10

You lie. But I'd be surprised if your employer didn't write 'left on x date refusing to work notice' on your reference.

Teateaandmoretea · 17/02/2023 14:11

As long as you can get a reference it won’t even come up. They’ll just be pleased you are available immediately.

Surely HR people are very familiar with how often this type of thing happens.

Good luck 😊

MissWings · 17/02/2023 14:15

I’ve done that a few times and never faced any repercussions.

BankOfDave · 17/02/2023 14:18

It’s time consuming looking for a new role (genuinely) so you decided to do that.

How will they know if you worked notice period or not?

Curiosity101 · 17/02/2023 14:21

General rule of thumb. Never give specific reasons for why you left. "I'd been there for 3 years and wanted a fresh challenge" or words to that effect.

But I would recommend thinking about some of the worst bits of your old job and how to try and suss out new employers without directly asking about any of the issues you had with your previous employer. What could you have asked you old employer that would give you a hint at some of those issues without coming straight out and asking the new place.

"How would you describe the vibe of the office"
"How would you describe day to day work"
"Do you do much socially with your colleagues "

Or whatever it is that might start to give you a feel for the company/ department/ role

Teateaandmoretea · 17/02/2023 17:42

How will they know if you worked notice period or not?

They won’t. Most companies want to support former employees and they’d rather someone left than got signed off sick.

My contract is very simple. If you leave without giving notice the consequence is they stop your pay with immediate effect. Seems reasonable to me 🤣

flabbygoldfish · 17/02/2023 17:52

I was never asked why I left, they were not interested. Just wanted to know why I wanted the job.

just don’t slag off your previous employer, no matter how tempting.

Sugarfair · 17/02/2023 17:59

Someone leaving without a new job to go to would be a red flag to me unless you were a contractor. I would worry there had been some sort of conflict and that you had been asked to leave or was difficult to work with. Good answers I have had in past interviews to this scenario is that they left to travel for a few months or to care for sick relatives. Of course they could be making it up.

Teateaandmoretea · 17/02/2023 18:00

@Sugarfair I wouldn’t want to work for someone who was so narrow minded and looking for the bad in everything.

IrritableCowSyndrome · 17/02/2023 18:10

A friend had a nightmare at a previous job and then walked out.

She didn't want it on her CV incase her new employee wrote to them. She therefore said she had taken time out to project manage the refurbishment of her house!

IrritableCowSyndrome · 17/02/2023 18:14

And remember, you are equally entitled to ask questions of your potential new employer, ie why is the current member of staff leaving.

A lot of us don't do this but you spend so much time at work that you want to make sure you will be happy there!

IwasToldThereWouldBeCake · 17/02/2023 18:15

No room for advancement, had achieved the top of the pay grade that was available and wasn't fulfilled at that rate.

Need a new challenge as there wasn't any further room for advancement. The job was sufficiently stimulating or financially rewarding.

Needed to support an elderly relative who underwent surgery and required daily assistance for 6 weeks..... Or whatever length of time.

Greenfairydust · 17/02/2023 18:37

I think there are two issues here:

  • leaving a job without another one lined-up: you can easily explain that by saying you wanted to concentrate on finding a new role/challenge which better suited your career objectives or by saying you wanted to take some time off for personal reasons: to travel/move to a different location/care for a relative/deal with a health issue...basically any life event that would justify leaving a job without first finding another one. It is quite common for people to do that so prospective employers won't necessary query it.
  • the fact that you are not working your notice: that is a but trickier because you current employer could state in their reference that you left and refused to work your notice and you might have to come clean to prospective employers and tell them this was a toxic environment where you bullied and that you had to leave.

As a manager it would not bother me too much as I completely understand the reasons but others might not want someone who did not work their notice.

''@Sugarfair · Today 17:59
Someone leaving without a new job to go to would be a red flag to me unless you were a contractor''

That is simply not the case. As I said above there are perfectly good reasons for leaving a job without another one to go to: family commitments (such as caring for kids/relatives), relocation, going back to studies, health issues...

thecatsthecats · 17/02/2023 18:48

Agree that the lack of notice is the only potential issue.

I've had brief gaps due to leaving dates, and I've simply said, "I'm fortunate to have been able to cover a brief gap whilst I refurbished the house/took a qualification/relocated" etc.

Six people (including me) have quit in my office, and only three gave notice.

MintJulia · 17/02/2023 18:50

I'd be honest if slightly vague.

'I worked for XXX for three years, through the difficult Covid period, but as things returned to normal, I felt that I wanted a complete change of scene.'

Leave it at that. Covid put a strain on every workplace I know. wanting a change is completely reasonable.

wildseas · 17/02/2023 18:55

I always think answering questions around why you’re looking for a new job with the positives of the place you’re applying to, rather than the negatives of the place you’re leaving always looks like a compelling argument…