how honest should i be about why i left previous job?

[tiredfeet]

I have a job interview tomorrow for a job that would be perfect, it would be a new direction for me but sounds interesting and would be 15 hours a week so a nice balance for me (ds only 4 months)

My worry is how I explain why I left my previous job. I had a successful professional career in an interesting niche specialism and was very good at it but then moved teams and my new boss was extremely nasty and eroded my confidence to the point I became ill with stress and in the end I decided to leave and take a career break (there were no other jobs in my specialism where we live). All the interview advice is not to mention negatives about your past work, but I am a dreadful liar and can't think how to explain my reasons other than telling the truth. I think anything else will just sound like I'm not telling the full story.

It really was my boss who was the problem. Both my colleagues left within a few months either side of me because she made their lives intolerable too Talthough luckily they didn't become ill) and one of the secretaries told me when I was leaving that she had seen this happen several times before.

Tell the truth. You left for a greater work life balance.

I can understand why you don't want to lie or sound shifty. I think you can tell the truth, but "softly" - "I loved the work and was good at it. Unfortunately, there were some issues with management that led to a rapid turnover. I had the chance to have a career break. And now I'm hugely keen at getting back into work again!" and go on to talk enthusiastically about how appealing the new job is.

They won't remember your exact words so much as your general attitude, so you should focus on your previous enjoyment of the work and your expectation that this future job will be interesting and satisfying.

Agree with nickname taken.

Also - the last few interviews I've had have all been competency based - ie give an example of how you have done x in the past - they haven't asked about previous jobs or reasons for leaving, so you may not get asked.

Thanks, I will feel far more comfortable beiog 'softly' honest, that is a helpful way to put it. Bit nervous still though!

I agree that it is unusual to ask why you've left your previous job. It shouldn't really be relevant to them. But if you are asked, then I would stay vague, as you don't want to start divulging personal details and focusing your interview on the negatives.

So how did it go?

Just waiting to find out - am on their final shortlist apparently so that is a confidence boost. Thank you so much for your advice it helped me talk about how I left in I way I was comfortable with but that came across quite positively

Great! Fingers crossed for you.