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Original poster

How to articulate a bad work experience to future employer and colleagues

14 replies

Tealdownunder · 15/08/2023 22:09

Just that really please if MN'rs can help? I have only been in my current role 6 months and it has been horrendous. Job pretty much misold, no induction (not unusual I know), bullying/passive aggressive culture, unprofessionalism on a scale I have never experienced in my 31 years of working.

Well, I have another job lined up and will be leaving shortly, however, how do I articulate just how bad this environment/job/people were without being completely unprofessional. The decision I made to leave is due to them and not due to me being flighty and I want to make sure this is put across appropriately. I was in my last job for under a year (others have all been between 6/8/2 years, I have just been unfortunate in this one (previous job simply wasn't for me although the people were so very kind but I could see after 10 months there would never be any progression).

OP posts:
PermanentTemporary · 15/08/2023 22:12

Tbh I would just talk positively about what you learned from it. 'It was a really exciting opportunity with the potential to do [thing that the job you're interviewing for has]. That aspect had to take a back seat in practice and it's important to me that my work allows me to develop in that area'.

Crinklecutchips1 · 15/08/2023 22:15

I left a job after 4 months. I actually started applying after a week of being there. I just said that the job didn't turn out to be what I expected it to be. People just nodded and said nothing. I had been in my previous job over three years so they knew I wasn't just flighty.

Original poster
Tealdownunder · 16/08/2023 05:54

Thank you both @Crinklecutchips1 and @PermanentTemporary , that is the way I have always put across any shorter duration of jobs than this one...Well it has been an experience! I think I was concerned as my previous job was short but it was also a step into something very different that simply wasn't for me. Hopefully on my CV going forward I have 30 years with the same organisation, and spent a short duration in the private sector of 10 months that simply wasn't for me.

OP posts:
SlipperyLizard · 16/08/2023 05:59

You don’t need to slag off your old job to your new colleagues - there’s no way of doing it that doesn’t sound unprofessional. Just say “ it wasn’t what I expected” and move on.

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 16/08/2023 06:01

SlipperyLizard · 16/08/2023 05:59

You don’t need to slag off your old job to your new colleagues - there’s no way of doing it that doesn’t sound unprofessional. Just say “ it wasn’t what I expected” and move on.

Agree, the less said the better. "It wasn't what I expected" is perfect.

MrsTerryPratchett · 16/08/2023 06:11

SlipperyLizard · 16/08/2023 05:59

You don’t need to slag off your old job to your new colleagues - there’s no way of doing it that doesn’t sound unprofessional. Just say “ it wasn’t what I expected” and move on.

SO much this.

Wasn't a good fit
Wasn't my skill set
Wanted a different challenge

There are so many very short ways to explain. Please don't chapter and verse it. You will be the issue if you do.

strawberrymullercorner · 16/08/2023 06:15

Why do you feel you have to articulate just how bad it? Absolutely no one is going to know or care how long you worked at your last job unless you make a big scene of it.

It's fine if something wasn't for you. Why does anything more need to be said than that?

Tara24 · 16/08/2023 06:17

Will it even come up? They may ask where you last worked , but I doubt they would ask more than that. If it does, I would say as little as a possible.

If a new colleague started slagging off their previous work place I'd wonder why and would think they were a potential issue.

Aprilx · 16/08/2023 06:32

You already have the new job, I am truly baffled as to why you need to tell your future employees and colleagues anything at all.

DenimTiger · 10/02/2024 10:25

I’ve only just come across this post, it’s basically the same thing I’m going through now. I hope you’ve settled in your role and you’re happy.

daisychain01 · 10/02/2024 10:58

The decision I made to leave is due to them and not due to me being flighty and I want to make sure this is put across appropriately.

put this situation into the perspective it deserves.

think of the millions of people in employment and the degree to which anyone wants or needs to care about one specific employment experience, ie yours and your decisions as to why you left paid employment. They won't care and you would do well to take the alternative option of knowing when the time is right to say nothing, move on and leave it behind as baggage not wanted on voyage.

social media gives us a false impression that we need to share our every experience with others. We just don't. Nobody cares.

daisychain01 · 10/02/2024 10:59

Why people need to reactivate an old thread from 6 months ago is beyond me.

DenimTiger · 10/02/2024 11:10

@daisychain01 Bizarre. You felt the need to comment not once but twice? Not only wholly negative and, dare I say, intentionally provocative.

😂Have a lovely day.

daisychain01 · 10/02/2024 13:30

I posted once then noticed the OP date and the fact any comments will be pointless because they're 6 months down the line. That isn't bazaar. And it isn't deliberately provocative to wonder why the need to post on a thread that's out of date. That's my opinion, sorry if you think differently

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