[xibadx]

I work in Industry – I report direct to my CFO, and the one who hired me has resigned and I’m not really a fan of the leadership style of the new one.

If asked why I am looking to leave, can I state this during an interview? Please elaborate.

Thanks!

All passed on first try - Licensed CPA Texas
Studying tip: Study throughout the day (short intervals, no more than 3hrs/day total), take exam later in the day and cram before your exam.

[mla1169]

No you can't say that. The interviewer will think you'll be the type of person to bail whenever there's change. Say you think you've hit a ceiling where you are now and are looking for new challenges. Always be positive about your current and previous employers even if there's very little positive to say.

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[How many letters do you need]

Yes the rule of thumb is never anything negative about the company, supervisor, etc. The ceiling thing by Mla is a good one, but can backfire if either the new position is not a promotion or the company doesn't have a whole lot of growth going on. They may think “well we don't have much more to offer than his/her current role he could be leaving us in a year”.

I would use whatever lines up with the job and/or comoqny you interviewing for. Is it a high growth company? Ceiling is a good one. A large company offering lots of transfer opportunities? Looking for variety under one roof. Different industry? Wanted to explore new industries for a change of pace. Smaller company? Maybe you want a quicker pace with more day to day variety and ability to have a greater influence on company performance. You get the idea:) good luck!

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[xibadx]

Thank you mla and hmldyn!

I was just hoping that somewhere along the lines job interviews can be about honesty, lol.

It seems that 1% of interviewers might prefer honesty, but you guys are right that giving the traditional answers might be the safest way to go.

All passed on first try - Licensed CPA Texas
Studying tip: Study throughout the day (short intervals, no more than 3hrs/day total), take exam later in the day and cram before your exam.

[mla1169]

Interviews are about honesty but being selective with the information you share.

Think of a job interview like a first date. Eventually there is a time and place for full disclosure but your first time out you don't let the other person know that you snore, have 74 cats and drink out of the milk carton 😉

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[Mamabear]

^^well said mla! Don't misrepresent yourself, but there is no need to tell every little detail. It is a small world and no company wants to hire someone that may bash them later in another interview.

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[Kimboroni]

Shoot, just one more cat and it'd be 75. So close 🙁

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[acamp]

^LOL I was thinking the same thing, interesting choice in the number of cats!

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[Anonymous]

Lying outright in an interview is wrong, but lying by omission is okay in my book. I left my last job because of a litany of reasons, not limited to: a long commute, awful seniors, not public accounting, and slightly lower pay than I wanted. Did I tell my interviewer that I don't like my long drive, my co-workers were sub-par, and I want more money? Of course not! But I did mention that I wanted to advance more in my career and I knew I wasn't in the right field. I could tell that was the answer they wanted to hear.

[How many letters do you need]

Yes never lie about your experience or skillset. That's just asking for a termination. But with a lot of the questions…The way I look at it…they make the rules we just live by them. They must know that a lot of candidates are leaving because they aren't happy for some reason; and for me the #1 cause of unhappiness is easily relations with your boss. Even with the best boss in the world would you eventually need to move on for growth? Sure. The reality though is that most bosses are dicks…and they all know this yet you can't really tell the truth or risk looking negative. If I were interviewing somebody and they said they want to leave because their boss is a giant asshat….they get the job on the spot. But I'm a little weird…

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[Mamabear]

@howmany–Yes you are, but so am I. I would love more honestly in interviews. It wouldn't bother me a bit if someone said they didn't get along with their boss as long as they had valid reasons for it. I can't stand all of the fluff in interviews. I have actually wondered if the person I hired was the same one that interviewed and I hate that feeling. I'm sure my bosses have had that reaction to me before too, but probably in a good way. I'm very quiet and shy in interviews and honestly don't sound intelligent at all because I'm so nervous. I don't come across that way at all in real life thank goodness.

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[Author]

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