Should I Tell A Recruiter About A Previous Bad Work Experience?

By Audrey Korir

One of the worst parts about going through an interview process is when a recruiter asks you to talk about a previous work experience especially if yours is tainted by a bad experience. Reality is,  In every job interview you attend, you’ll have to answer this difficult question.

You could say yes because you want to give an honest answer that will reflect your specific circumstances and No because you do not want to give the recruiter a negative impression of you during the interview. Truth is, there is no straightforward way to answer this question.

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How should you go about it then? The aim is to be truthful but strategic at the same time to avoid giving answers that will disqualify you.  What kind of questions should you expect when this issue comes up?

1. “Why did you quit your job?”
2. “Tell me about your previous work experience at this company?’’
3. “Why was your stay at this previous job short?”

The interviewer wants to know whether you left the previous job voluntarily, were you fired or laid off, if you have a good relationship with the previous company and to verify your reasons for quitting or leaving the previous job to assess if they are valid or reasonable. How you answer this question offers a window into what your job values and character are.  Your best bet is to keep the answer short. Do not lie; frame it in a way that puts you in a positive light.

When asked about why you left your last job, try to be positive do not vent about the former employer or the company. Shift the discussion to the matter at hand; explain to the recruiter how your skills, knowledge, and experience are a perfect match for the job.

For example, “I was laid off from my previous company when my position was eliminated due to downsizing” or “To be honest, I wasn’t considering a change, but a former colleague recommended this job to me. I looked into the position and was intrigued by the role and by the company. What you’re offering sounds like an exciting opportunity and an ideal match for my qualifications”. These two answers do not reflect any emotion or negativity.

Why are you looking for a new job?  The best way to approach this question is to highlight how your skills match the job description. A suitable example would be, “I have been volunteering in this capacity and love this kind of work. I want to turn my passion into the next step of my career.”

Another crucial question that can come up during the interview is, why were you fired? Or why was your stay at this previous job short? This is honestly the most challenging interview question to ever answer. Why do recruiters ask it then? The interviewer wants to understand how you cope with difficult situations and whether you learned any lesson from the experience.

You could say, “I’ve learned a lot from this situation. Now when I apply for a job, I do my homework to make sure it seems like a great match. For example, it seems as if my work history and accomplishments are well matched to your needs. I’d love to discuss how I can help address your issues, such as……”

This is an ideal answer because you were honest and shifted the conversation to what you can do for the recruiter based on what the job description says.  Never lie about why you lost your job. Your former employer may reveal the details during a background check.

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In Summary;

The best tips that will help you handle this question accordingly are being honest, being short with your answer, avoid showing feelings of resentment, being positive and accountable especially if the mistake was on your part.

Do you have an upcoming job interview? Would you like to convince the interviewer that you the best candidate and get the job? Book a mock Interview Coaching Session Here.