To tell the truth at job interview - arsehole work colleague

[KeyboardWarriorWoman]

Resigned from last job a few months ago due to over a year of putting up with a horrendously lazy, disruptive colleague. Management didn't want to deal with her and made excuses for her.

I was taking on most of the work load, which was very heavy, despite being part time to her full time! She'd leave work for me despite the role being shared. Constantly pretending the work was too hard, or her internet was slow/system crashed (fully remote role). She was constantly disrupting me calling me on Teams to ask stupid questions and harassing me to switch to full time so she could go part time.

Last straw was management finally agreeing to investigate and coming back 4 weeks later saying we were doing the same amount of work but not taking into account my hours!

It was massively affecting my MH as I'd dread logging on. I resigned and raised a grievance which was later upheld and it was admitted that I was actually doing double the work she was! I got an apology and an assurance my reference would not be affected.

I was relieved to leave as could not work with her any longer. She got what she wanted though which was my part time role.

Anyway been applying for jobs for the last two months and had quite a few interviews but not successful, always 'difficult decision, between you and another candidate but we chose them'

I have been answering the big question of why I left my last job along the lines of 'looking for a new challenge and progression' which I know sounds weak as the jobs were similar to my last role but you're not supposed to be negative about previous job are you!

I have an interview next week for a massive step up job, much higher pay, fully remote which is what I need, over 1000 applicants for the job. I had to do an in-depth 3 hour assessment and they were only moving the top 5 to interview of which I'm one so I have a good chance right?

I don't want them to be suspicious of why I left my last job without another one to go to as I think other interviewers may have been.

Will I harm my chances if I tell the truth about issue with colleague? Obviously in a professional way. Really don't want to muck it up!

No way! First thing I learnt about interviews - never diss your last job in any way. It rings alarm bells and sets the interviewer wondering whether you’d do the same to them if you got the job and then left. It’s also unprofessional.

Never give a potential employer reason to question whether you’ve found workplace relationships difficult because you’re difficult to work with or blame others when things don’t go well.

Agree. It’s very tempting to give them the actual reason but it won’t help.

At best it will be long-winded, boring and irrelevant, at worst you will come across as petty and difficult to work with.

You can truthfully say you are looking for a step up and remain professional. They are not that interested and there’s no upside to you.

Fuck no!

I’ve been in interviews as the HR rep where candidates have started into a long, drawn out, red-flag filled explanation about why they hate their current role. It’s never gone well, the candidates look like they’re drama llamas who lack self awareness.

The Hiring Manager does.not.care about your lackadaisical colleague, but they absolutely will care about potentially bringing someone into the team who could disrupt an existing dynamic by being hard to work with.

There’s plenty of legitimate reasons to explain a short gap- health issue now resolved, caring responsibilities (I’ve used this myself), wanting to travel etc.

You’ve reached the final 5 out of 1000 applicants so you must be good at what you do. When I left a job with no new one to go to I was leaving to take an extended holiday. Could say something similar? Good luck

Senior Director here - I interview a lot for my role and I would be concerned to here your real reasons. You didn't do anything wrong but any talk of 'office conflict' is a red flag. I often hear things like - 'the work I was doing was being outsourced due to a new direction of the company so I felt in my best interest to leave to find a new challenge' or 'My project came to an end and I decided to take a break before re-applying for new roles'. Choose something that provides an explanation for you leaving before you had another job to go to but make it non-specific and more about personal choice.

I completely understand you having had the same experience but don't do it, they could surmise that you were the problem and we're managed out.

Do not tell them - it makes you look like a whinger and disloyal. Be positive especially about the new opportunities the role presents.