How to Discuss a Former Employer in an Interview
Edited by Einar Kramer, Harri, June
During an employment interview, you may be asked many questions, including questions about your former employer or employment history. These questions are standard questions for an interview and help a future employer learn more about you and your work experience. It's important to address these questions as positively, tactfully and factually as possible, even if you had a bad experience with a previous employer. Here are a few tips to help you discuss a former employer in an interview.
EditSteps
-
1Plan ahead what you want to say about a former employer. Letting the question catch you off guard may prompt an inappropriate or insufficient answer. Think back to your work experience in order to analyze it carefully. Identify the start date and end date of your employment with a former employer, along with contact information and location. Jot down a few notes about your duties and responsibilities while employed there, along with any awards, accolades or recognition you may have received.Ad -
2Refrain from making insults about your former boss or displaying negativity about your former work experience. It's not a good idea to be negative in a job interview about anything, especially a former employer. Exercise tact and explain your experience in a manner that does not indicate you were unhappy or dissatisfied with the previous employer. -
3Speak the truth. This may sound difficult if you can't think of a way to explain your previous work experience without being negative. However, it's essential to find a way to explain how you feel about your previous employer without interjecting negativity. However, be clear and truthful about the situation. Admit if you were discharged or disciplined. Be ready to follow that up with an explanation about what you learned or how you've improved. The truth should be about facts, not complaints. Carefully explain the facts of your past employment. -
4Find something positive to say about your former employer. If you truly had a negative experience, this is apt to be quite a challenge. However, there must have been something you liked about the job. Think of the office environment, training seminars, break room, flexible hours or anything else that appealed to you. Find a way to describe this that is work related and let this be your main focus about your previous employment. -
5Answer questions that are asked, but be careful about volunteering too much information. This tip should be applied to all aspects of your interview, but especially to any references to your previous employer. Interviewees sometimes say too much, which results in an interviewer following up with uncomfortable questions that would be better left alone.Ad
EditRelated wikiHows
Article Info
Categories: Interview Skills
Recent edits by: Harri, Einar Kramer
In other languages:
Español: Cómo discutir de un empleador anterior en una entrevista
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 9,476 times.
