Would you ask a previous role holder why they left?

[Niceshotdoc]

Am through to final round of interviews for a role that I quite like the look of. No red flags that I can see but it's a role that someone has left. The person has gone into a similar role elsewhere. If I were offered the role I would be leaving somewhere where I'm generally quite happy and well treated but want a new adventure. I'm hoping that it's the same reason that this person has left, but I also have nagging doubt. I've moved before from somewhere good to somewhere horrific and I don't want to make the same mistake. I wished then that I'd asked more questions of people already in the team. Since then I've only ever taken new roles, or roles that have been created for me.

Would it be really inappropriate to contact the outgoing role holder via LinkedIn and ask for their thoughts on the role? Really I'd just like to find out why they're leaving and if it's because of anything that is likely to also make my life a misery...

Why would they tell you though? What if they are still very much in contact with their old employer?

If they said something bad and you still took the job, they might not want their old employer knowing what you said

I think unless they had an horrific time they will give you lip service

You cannot do that although i can see why you want to.

OP I previously asked at Interview whether they would be happy to put me in touch with the previous role holder to ask them questions. Maybe that approach might work?

Yep. I did. Well I happened to meet him and got the full horror. On paper it was the better offer but I took another for less pay, more opportunity and none of the horrors he mentioned. I'm still here 15 years later and nearly at my 5th promotion.
Not sure how you can orchestrate a meeting though.

I like this idea, yes thank you for this. Their response to this would be a good indicator I think.

Could you write and say something like "if you can recommend working there and enjoyed it, please could you write to tell me?" The problem with LinkedIn is I don't know whether you can see if he's actually read the message.

Blimey - that was a fortuitous meeting! Exactly my fear.

We're members of some of the same professional groups - I don't attend many meetings though and I'm not sure if she does either.

We moved in similar circles like you )industry groups) and I heard from colleagues he'd had a terrible time. I was at the same conference as him and found him. Made me realise it was frying pan to fire.
Can you find her on linked in and do an 'in confidence' message?

In support of you I hire for my previous roles. I am actually super pleased when candidates ask to speak to existing colleagues to check its right for them. I want them to make the right choice and stay, not hate every minute and leave 6 months later. If they asked to speak to an outgoing colleague I'd make it happen. Different industries and firms may be different obviously.

I always ask in interviews when they say any questions?
I ask why has the time become available

This is what I was thinking of doing but I don't know if it's considered "a bad thing to do". I'd be happy to answer if someone contacted me but I don't know how anyone else would feel about it.

I like the idea of asking at interview. I think I'll do that when I get that far and see what the response is.

I'd do it. Especially if you have a nagging doubt.

I once did an interview where part of the full day assessment was meeting the existing post holder and the rest of the team, unsupervised! . Why the employer thought that was a good idea, I've no idea, I've never met a more miserable bunch and I didn't take the job! From what's gone on there since it was a very lucky escape.

I think asking the employer to introduce you is a good idea, but if that doesn't work, making those kind of contacts is what Linked In is for IMO. They might not be completely honest, but it's amazing how people will hint even if they don't tell it completely straight.

Good grief, no.

Why? It would still be down to OP to assess whatever information she's given and make a decision, but as an employer I'd be pleased she was taking it so seriously.

I'm not scared of what previous staff will say, most would be glowing and acknowledge the support we've given them in developing them for the role they're moving into or sorry to have to leave for because of personal reasons.

I had an interview yesterday and one of the interviewers was the person whose I would be replacing. I asked. I got a really detailed reply, turned out to be nothing to do with the job itself, definitely no red flags. Now have to wait and see if I get a second interview......

I did this in my last job and it helped me set up the role in a way where certain things didn’t happen. The person was completely fine being contacted and really happy to help.

I think it depends on the field. I work in science in higher education. Within the research labs its somewhat encouraged that you talk to the existing members of the lab to get a feel for the team. It's even often build into the interview structure. You have the official interview with the actual head of the lab and a couple other lectures then you have a lab tour and Coffee with a couple members of the team.

The one time I got caught out and ended up working for an absolute asshole was when the new boss had moved over from Germany and was setting up a new lab so no existing team to talk to. I also had one of my lecturers when i was an undergraduate basically tell me to avoid another lab when I was thinking of applying.

I usually ask this at interview anyway. I think the way they answer will give you an idea of how much you might want to contact the previous person and ask them directly.

Would it be really inappropriate to contact the outgoing role holder via LinkedIn and ask for their thoughts on the role?

Totally inappropriate. Especially when you don't know their circumstances.

Fine to ask during the interview process if you could meet them or speak to them but contacting them directly when it's unsolicited is hugely unprofessional. You could get lucky and they'd be fine, or their reaction could be WTF and they complain about you.

If you're this worried, why don't you ask if you can meet some of the team you'd be working with?

I always ask in interview where the previous person went. It's always a good sign if they have been promoted.

Anyway that's not what you're asking, I approached the previous person on LinkedIn for a job I was getting interviewed for. They answered within a day and had only good things to say about the company.

I was offered the position but didn't take it after all!

I have been considering doing this myself and have been stalking them on LinkedIn but I don't think I have the guts to actually contact them. I wish I had asked at the interview why they were leaving.