The One Thing to Never Say in an Interview

Pitfalls seem endless in the world of interviewing.  

How do I respond to the dreaded question, “what is your greatest weakness?”  

What do I say about the year that I didn’t hit my quota? 

Do I admit that I’m totally unfamiliar with their CRM? 

In our experience, there is one interview mistake that is almost impossible to recover from, but totally avoidable: bashing your current employer. There's a story for every job move and it’s certainly understandable to make a jump from organizations where values and abilities aren't aligned. 
 
However, perception is reality on the side of interviewers, especially in what could be a short 30 minute initial screening, and well-meaning comments on disagreements over technology, leadership, or other decisions in your current or previous role can come across far more negative than intended. 

“Our company has no strategy or vision, we’re aimless.” 

“The culture here is awful– leadership doesn’t know how to treat people.” 

“My boss is a micromanager, and I can’t work for him/her anymore.”   

These types of comments are major red flags for interviewers. Of course, we’ve all experienced unfortunate circumstances in the workplace, but it’s unhelpful and often a dealbreaker to share such negative takes during an interview. 

So, how do you proceed?  

Framing things neutrally: "The size and scope of my current project is limited, and I’m ready for a bigger challenge.”  
 
Focusing on the positive aspects of the prospective employer, even as it relates to the difficulties of your situation: “I’m looking forward to joining a marketing team with the tools, technology, and resources that your organization allows for.” 
 
If you're asked point blank "why are you leaving your role" it's still acceptable to keep things concise, and reasonably positive, by saying "I could see my values and career goals aligning better with a team like yours than my current situation." 
 
You can get across the kind of environment you thrive in or are attracted to without divulging the entire contents of your burn book. 
 
Find a meaningful outlet for catharsis, to be sure, but I've found it's healthier to take a real hike than being told to take one by a prospective employer. 

Humor aside, the goal of the interview process is to direct focus around positives for the future rather than negatives of the past.   

Ask yourself before entering an interview “where could perception creep in?” and “where do my current workplace frustrations lie and how should I communicate them?”  

Then, frame them for the good, and nail the interview with the organization that you’ve wanted to join all along. 

— Pat Dunford, Recruiter, Technology Services