Sure, there are things the former Playboy programmer could have said to explain why he left that job that wouldn't have raised red flags. But he didn't. Our per

Sure, there are things the former Playboy programmer could have said to explain why he left that job that wouldn't have raised red flags. But he didn't. Our perception was that he thought taking an anti-porn stance would make him seem more virtuous. Once he started bad-mouthing his former manager and co-workers we had to wonder whether the workplace was the problem, or if that guy was the problem. When someone is looking for a new job the prospective employer understands implicitly that the candidate is not completely happy with their current situation (or else they wouldn't be looking to leave). Every workplace has its share of dysfunction. Usually the reason is "more money" but candidates will rarely come out and say that. By the way, I didn't write that "you should always be positive." I wrote that bad-mouthing your former employer is never a good idea when talking to a prospective future employer, and you should have an answer to the inevitable "Why are you looking to leave?" or "Why did you leave?" questions that doesn't involve saying "That job sucks."