Founder Spotlight: Gillian Williams
Welcome to Founder Spotlight, where the trio that makes up Monday Talent’s founders answer some of the most sought-after questions for employers and their employees.
Classic interview questions might seem totally basic (even annoying at times), but they’re classic for a reason. They also don’t seem to be going anywhere. For interviewers, these basic questions are part of a strategy to figure out whether the interviewee is going to be a good fit for their company. For interviewees, the answers offer the chance to prove their value as an employee. But what about those questions that feel as though they have no “right” answer? Like, “So, uh, why are you looking to leave your current position?” Should you be honest and tell them your boss is a nightmare? Be polite and simply say you’re looking for something new? Or something in between? Monday Talent’s President and Co-founder, Gillian Williams, has got you covered.
Is there a “right” way to answer the interview question: Why are you looking to leave your current position?
Gillian’s Take:
I’ll start by saying, and cannot stress this enough, never talk badly about your previous employer. Don’t go on a rant about all the negative things you faced or how you hate your manager, no matter how real those feelings may be. Even if you had a horrific experience and even if the interviewer leaves an opening, you should never be the person to talk negatively.
People, including interviewers, might use gossip as a way to connect. It’s only natural. You can acknowledge and confirm certain aspects of working at your company, but it’s best to steer the conversation away from any negativity. You can say, “that company takes someone with tough skin,” or “the rumors are true,” but immediately redirect the conversation. If you focus on the negative, the interviewer might walk away wondering if you would talk about them like that someday. Plus, if you spend a lot of time gossiping, you’re losing time to talk about your value.
In short, it's all about the reframe. There are ways that you can reframe your experience in a positive light and still be your honest and authentic self. For example, you can acknowledge that not every environment is for everybody; that the organization just wasn't the right fit for you, or that you didn't align with its culture and values.
Want another way to reframe? Discuss the environment in which you work best and then turn that into a question. If you hate a cutthroat, competitive environment, you can ask the interviewer, “Is teamwork valued at this company?,” “What does teamwork look like here?” or “What does collaboration look like?”
Bonus tip for you: If you've only been somewhere for a short period of time, be prepared to speak directly about why you're looking to leave so quickly. You can say, for example, “I quickly realized that it wasn't a place that would allow me to have the type of growth that I am looking for.” Reiterate that you want to lay down roots somewhere and that's what you're looking for in the next step. By reframing, you can answer this question tactfully and honestly, leaving the interviewer with a clear idea of the environment you need to thrive.