How would you answer this question in an interview?

[MissSJM]

I work as Exec support and I've been in my role for 6 months. I've come to the conclusion that I do not like the way my leader works and we do not gel, so I have decided to look for another role.

I obviously can't say that in an interview when asked why I want to leave my current role as it might look bad, so what do you think would be the best way to answer that question?

pick one of these

Role not as advertised
Not a good fit for my skills
stepping stone to a better opportunity
this is better because xxxxx
change in personal circumstance (unlikely to probe)

Yes, I think I'd go with the role not being all it was cracked up to be as well, and that you feel you have so much more to offer than what you are currently being asked to do?

I always bring it back to the role I'm applying for, talk about what a great opportunity it is, and how it's not something I would get the chance to do in my current role. Or say something like, I've given it a good few months but I've realised it's not quite the right fit for me and this role would be so.much better for these reasons etc etc. On a couple of occasions I've said oh, you know I really wasn't looking to move at all but a friend saw your vacancy and thought it would be perfect for me and I agreed.

Do you have to mention it? Leaving at 6 months could suggest you haven’t passed your probation. I’d leave it off my CV unless I needed the experience.

How does the new job differ from the one you already have? That should be your jumping off point. So if new job is tech and the old one is in finance - mention you’ve always wanted to work in the tech industry and if the new role is all about strategy and the old one was more traditional PA stuff - say you want to be in a more strategic role. Don’t say anything negative about your old role - you allude to it with the positivity around features of the new one. Good luck :)

Thanks all - some really good ideas. I don't have a probation in my role, so I don't mind keeping it on my CV. I'll more than likely look for a similar Exec support role although I would like to find something different, but I'm looking internally and externally. My worry is that a lot of these type of roles are advertised with pretty much the same duties that's on my CV, so unless it's a different type of role altogether, the role won't be much different to what I'm doing now.

I've been in similar situations and I just say it was an ongoing temporary role and they don't have the budget to make it permanent. Or you could say it's a maternity contract. They can't check up on you - references are only allowed to give your job title and dates worked. Good luck.

It's always better to be seen as "reaching towards" not "fleeing from". Don't talk about the current job at all, beyond saying "I wasn't really seriously job hunting but I heard about this opportunity and I couldn't resist applying because (find something unique about this role you are applying for that you couldn't have got in the previous role)

You would like very much to be considered for the position of xxxxxx within your organisation, and feel ready for the organisational and personal challenge this role would present.
If the job is more easy to commute to or travel to and from you could include that ; geographically the location would support an enhanced work like balance