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The company doesn't care about you and your sad sack stories, it's not your therapist. All it wants to know is if you'll produce more value than you cost (and h

The company doesn't care about you and your sad sack stories, it's not your therapist. All it wants to know is if you'll produce more value than you cost (and hopefully more than the other people they're comparing you against). Being bitter about past employers is a sure fire way to fail an interview (from my personal experience) because a mopey employee is a poor performer, but it's also a lame way to go through life regardless.

gdy 7y ago
"The company doesn't care about you and your sad sack stories, it's not your therapist. All it wants to know is if you'll produce more value than you cost" Then maybe it shouldn't ask questions like 'why have you quit your previous job?' and focus on applicant's skills? What I don't like is presumption that a conflict at previous job is an employee's fault. Quite a long time ago, when I used to work for a local company, I did some hiring as a team lead and tried hard to avoid prejudice.
- deleted 7y ago
  [deleted]
- ohyes 7y ago
  I mean, it’s like asking someone “How are you?” And them going into detail about their spastic colon. In a interview you’re trying to paint the best possible picture of yourself, anything that detracts from that is wasted effort. Why would y’all talk about your shitty previous employer when we can talk about something else that is interesting.
  - gdy 7y ago
    I don't think you can treat that question like 'how are you'. Otherwise I agree with you.
- blaser-waffle 7y ago
  > Then maybe it shouldn't ask questions like 'why have you quit your previous job?' and focus on applicant's skills? As a hiring type, I absolutely want to know why, in your words, you left. I also want to see how that lines up with what your references and what former HR people say, and possibly even compare that to something like Glassdoor reviews (if you're a strong candidate, mind you). It is important. I want to see how they describe the situation they're leaving/left because it allows me to evaluate their ability to comprehend and communicate social/political/team dynamics. Statistically you're not staying with us longer than five (5) years, which means at some point you're going to have to explain why you left me -- and I don't feel like dealing with a shit talker. Plus an honest, direct answer is different from being blunt. I need workers who are willing to tell me direct, honest truths sometimes. I.E. "I never really clicked with the team, and found I was struggling personally and professionally to keep up with their changing demands," vs. "They were elitist assholes who changed things on a whim because they thought they were fucking geniuses".
  - gdy 7y ago
    And I agree with all that. What I don't like is presumption that an applicant who gives the first kind of answer, is a bad team player and if he doesn't put the blame on himself he is 'bitter' (which is bad).

gdy 7y ago

"The company doesn't care about you and your sad sack stories, it's not your therapist. All it wants to know is if you'll produce more value than you cost" Then maybe it shouldn't ask questions like 'why have you quit your previous job?' and focus on applicant's skills? What I don't like is presumption that a conflict at previous job is an employee's fault. Quite a long time ago, when I used to work for a local company, I did some hiring as a team lead and tried hard to avoid prejudice.

deleted 7y ago
[deleted]
ohyes 7y ago
I mean, it’s like asking someone “How are you?” And them going into detail about their spastic colon. In a interview you’re trying to paint the best possible picture of yourself, anything that detracts from that is wasted effort. Why would y’all talk about your shitty previous employer when we can talk about something else that is interesting.
- gdy 7y ago
  I don't think you can treat that question like 'how are you'. Otherwise I agree with you.
blaser-waffle 7y ago
> Then maybe it shouldn't ask questions like 'why have you quit your previous job?' and focus on applicant's skills? As a hiring type, I absolutely want to know why, in your words, you left. I also want to see how that lines up with what your references and what former HR people say, and possibly even compare that to something like Glassdoor reviews (if you're a strong candidate, mind you). It is important. I want to see how they describe the situation they're leaving/left because it allows me to evaluate their ability to comprehend and communicate social/political/team dynamics. Statistically you're not staying with us longer than five (5) years, which means at some point you're going to have to explain why you left me -- and I don't feel like dealing with a shit talker. Plus an honest, direct answer is different from being blunt. I need workers who are willing to tell me direct, honest truths sometimes. I.E. "I never really clicked with the team, and found I was struggling personally and professionally to keep up with their changing demands," vs. "They were elitist assholes who changed things on a whim because they thought they were fucking geniuses".
- gdy 7y ago
  And I agree with all that. What I don't like is presumption that an applicant who gives the first kind of answer, is a bad team player and if he doesn't put the blame on himself he is 'bitter' (which is bad).