How to talk about a job you hate

In an ideal world, we’d all get along famously with our bosses and get paid exorbitant amounts of money to do so. Since that’s not always a reality, it’s important to learn how to discuss a terrible job while you’re looking for a new one. Here are some great tips for different scenarios from The Muse.

During a job interview
It’s highly likely a potential employer will ask you why you’re looking to leave your current job. Honesty is definitely not the best policy in this situation, so you have to find a way to tip-toe around the subject without being obvious. Say you’re simply looking for a new challenge or an opportunity to grow in your career. Whatever you do, don’t use the interview to rant about your boss’s annoying habits because the interviewer might wonder if you’re the problem.

When you’re networking
You never know who you’re going to meet at a networking event, which also means you don’t know if they might have connections to your current employer. If somebody asks if you enjoy your job, be very selective and diplomatic with what you say. Instead, explain what you like about what you currently do and how a new role would help you achieve your career goals.

When using your connections
As you progress in your career and get yourself out to networking events, you’ll grow a list of contacts who might be able to help you when you begin a job search. Since they’ll be acting as a reference for you, keep your negative comments about your current job to yourself. If you spend too much time trashing the company they might wonder whether you’ll do the same thing with your next employer. Keep it professional by saying your role doesn’t match your career goals anymore and leave it at that. There will be time to speak candidly further down the line when you’ve moved on.

Read the original article at muse.cm/2jzvQ96