Never Say These Things About a Current or Former Employer

Never Say These Things About a Current or Former EmployerNever Say These Things About a Current or Former Employer100Lets face it most of the things you need to talk about in a job intervieware uncomfortable at best. However, few are as awkward and cringeworthy as needing to discuss your current or formeremployer.Its an unavoidable topic of conversation. Your interviewer needs to know about the career experiences that have led you to this point.But, how can you talk about them without sounding like youre throwing your boss or your company under the bus? Well, you just need to be aware of what youre saying and- more importantly- how it makes you (not to mention your employer) sound.Start by avoiding these five negative statements in your job interview about a current or former employer1. My boss was the worstAlright, this first one might seem painfully obvious.But, when your hearts racing, your palms are sweating, and youd pretty much do anything to present yourself in a shining light , it becomes all too tempting to shift blame and point fingers at other people- especially when youre being asked to recount a time when you overcame a challenge or solved a problem. That roadblock really was all your coachs fault, after all.But, as your parents used to always tell you, If you dont have anything nice to say, dont say anything at all. So, when it comes to your past experiences, provide enough context without attacking anybody elses character. Thatll make you look far more professional in the long run.2. At my old job we always confidential detail.Youre doing your best to establish trust and forge a bond with your interviewer. Thats great, but it also makes it far too easy to accidentally let some confidential details slip.You likely dont have all of the legal mumbo jumbo in your contract or employee handbook ingrained in your brain (and, if you do, I certainly hope you have your impressive memory listed in the skills section of your resume). That makes it tough to kn ow what information is copacetic to share (obviously, any financial details or trade secrets are definite no-nos).So, use this as your golden rule if something youre being asked to share makes you the slightest bit uneasy, avoid spilling your guts. You dont want to end up in any hot water3. That place will fall apart without me.Your desire to present yourself as an integral and irreplaceable member of your team is understandable. But, in reality, this sort of statement just makes you sound egotistical- not to mention a little out of touch.Yes, youre definitely an important part of your previous or current company. But, will things crumble to the ground the second you hand in your notice? Definitely not. Your employer survived before you, and the world will keep spinning after you.Instead of saying something so arrogant and unfounded, emphasize the things youve accomplished and the skills you bring to the table. Thats a much more positive and beneficial way to go about highlighting y our value.4. One thing that drove me crazy at my old jobYour interviewer just asked you about the traits that youre looking for in a work environment. Rather than sharing what sort of characteristics you find helpful, you snap right into a spite-filled monologue about what you hated about your previous office.First of all, this doesnt really answer the questions. You were asked about what youre looking for- not what youre trying to stay far away from. And, secondly, such a doom-and-gloom response will paint the picture that youre a bit tough to please- meaning youll likely be able to find something wrong regardless of where you work.So, resist the urge to ramble on and on with all of your workplace grievances, and just answer the question straight about what youre keeping your eyes peeled for in your next employer. That sort of response will help you- and your interviewer- determine if youd truly be a good fit together.5. The only thing I got out of the experience was a paycheck.You really hated your past job. As a matter of fact, you cant think of a single redeeming quality of that company or that role- aside from the fact that it gave you what you needed to pay your bills.Sure, you may feel that way, but its likely not the truth. You get something out of every single position, whether its valuable work experience or even a clearer idea of what your career values and ambitions are.Rather than airing your dirty laundry and talking about how useless your previous job was, flip the script and focus on the positives. If you turn off your negativity and think for a second, youre likely to come up with at least one valuable thing you extracted from the experienceOf course, youd never intend to throw your employer under the bus. But, when the pressure of a job interview is weighing down on you, its easy to let something not-so-nice slip without even thinking about it. Make sure to stay far away from statements like these, and youll present yourself as professional- and, perhaps even more importantly, respectful.