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I am dealing with this dilemma right now. I am considered by most of my former colleagues to be a top performer, a great teammate and mentor, etc. and yet becau

I am dealing with this dilemma right now. I am considered by most of my former colleagues to be a top performer, a great teammate and mentor, etc. and yet because I got unlucky and landed with some less-than-ethical companies, I feel like I've been branded. Because I decided to take a stand at those jobs and quit due to what I considered meanspirited or unethical behavior, my resume makes me appear flighty, when it reality it says more about the companies I worked for than it does about me. Just a few hours ago, I got off a recruiter phone call where the woman wanted me to sugar-coat my history with my former employers when I went to interview. I told her, "No, if they ask what happened I have no issues telling them." If you're an interviewer and you get offended by me stating the facts--that many companies just downright suck--then that tells me all I need to know about your own insecurities.

_lex 9y ago
This approach may make sense if you're either uniquely qualified or willing to speak to a lot of companies. You are basically signaling what type of person you are, divulging critical information to the hiring manager when you do this. Specifically, you are saying that you will not put up with BS. The problem is, work is generally at least 60% BS, and as a hiring manager, you want someone who will put up with the shit to get to the glory. And you really want someone who believes there is glory to be had - that person will outwork anyone else. So you've signaled that you will not outwork others and that you will not put up with BS - you're interviewing and have already exposed yourself as a flight risk willing to do less than a theoretical other person would. So yeah, they will pass on you in droves unless you have some unique aspect to your profile that makes you uniquely qualified. Did you write the book on what the company is trying to do? If yes, more power to you - people put up with Steve Jobs to get access to his potential. Maybe you're worth it. If not, you'll have to find someone who appreciates you and your values. And forget company value statements - that shit means nothing in the day-to-day. What you're basically looking for is a hiring manager with strong values aligned to yours, who also has the power to do the hire. And you'll find him if you look hard enough.
- nathanaldensr 9y ago
  I have been trying my hardest to find such a hiring manager, but at a certain point one starts to wonder if they exist at all. Why does the responsibility for toxic culture and unethical behavior fall on me, the applicant, the one with the least amount of power and leverage in the interview process? Why do companies get free passes on ridiculous behavior while I am supposed to compromise what I believe in to placate others? I'm asking a philosophical question, of course, but it's an important one: If not enough people stand up for themselves, we get worker mistreatment and toxic work environments.
n3d1m 9y ago
Hmm. The problem is that most companies suck no matter what your profession is. The trick is to grow up and grow thicker skin. One thing software development allows you to do is work remotely from a beach (if that's your cup of tea). That way you don't have to deal with all that office nonsense ;-)
- nathanaldensr 9y ago
  I've been seeking out remote positions for this very reason. I would love it if a company focused on work and success based on that work instead of politics and personal interaction. While I've gotten very good over the past few years at navigating complex, toxic environments, it's a huge energy drain.
paulcole 9y ago
>"No, if they ask what happened I have no issues telling them." Here's your mistake: They're not asking you what happened. They're saying, "Tell us diplomatically why you left your last employer without blaming anyone and coming across as a friendly person we want to work with."

_lex 9y ago

This approach may make sense if you're either uniquely qualified or willing to speak to a lot of companies. You are basically signaling what type of person you are, divulging critical information to the hiring manager when you do this. Specifically, you are saying that you will not put up with BS. The problem is, work is generally at least 60% BS, and as a hiring manager, you want someone who will put up with the shit to get to the glory. And you really want someone who believes there is glory to be had - that person will outwork anyone else. So you've signaled that you will not outwork others and that you will not put up with BS - you're interviewing and have already exposed yourself as a flight risk willing to do less than a theoretical other person would. So yeah, they will pass on you in droves unless you have some unique aspect to your profile that makes you uniquely qualified. Did you write the book on what the company is trying to do? If yes, more power to you - people put up with Steve Jobs to get access to his potential. Maybe you're worth it. If not, you'll have to find someone who appreciates you and your values. And forget company value statements - that shit means nothing in the day-to-day. What you're basically looking for is a hiring manager with strong values aligned to yours, who also has the power to do the hire. And you'll find him if you look hard enough.

nathanaldensr 9y ago
I have been trying my hardest to find such a hiring manager, but at a certain point one starts to wonder if they exist at all. Why does the responsibility for toxic culture and unethical behavior fall on me, the applicant, the one with the least amount of power and leverage in the interview process? Why do companies get free passes on ridiculous behavior while I am supposed to compromise what I believe in to placate others? I'm asking a philosophical question, of course, but it's an important one: If not enough people stand up for themselves, we get worker mistreatment and toxic work environments.

n3d1m 9y ago

Hmm. The problem is that most companies suck no matter what your profession is. The trick is to grow up and grow thicker skin. One thing software development allows you to do is work remotely from a beach (if that's your cup of tea). That way you don't have to deal with all that office nonsense ;-)

nathanaldensr 9y ago
I've been seeking out remote positions for this very reason. I would love it if a company focused on work and success based on that work instead of politics and personal interaction. While I've gotten very good over the past few years at navigating complex, toxic environments, it's a huge energy drain.

paulcole 9y ago

>"No, if they ask what happened I have no issues telling them." Here's your mistake: They're not asking you what happened. They're saying, "Tell us diplomatically why you left your last employer without blaming anyone and coming across as a friendly person we want to work with."