To make a long story short, my wife got a spectacular job offer in another state, and in order to move, I found a job there as well. I interviewed for an operations position (which is where I have a lot of experience), but, they offered me a development position, which pays 30% less, due to my lack of experience. I choked and took the job. I realized almost immediately that I chose poorly and should have continued at my old job, while waiting for something better, and have regretted it ever since. But that’s not the point here.
The question is: What do I say at interviews when people ask why I’m looking to change jobs after only 5 months? I assume the truth-“I made a hasty, bad decision, and I’d like to turn the clock back 6 months”, is right out. Can I use the move situation as an excuse? It sounds like unprofessional whining. Should I say something about wanting to get back into the operations side of the business where my experience is more valuable? Is that too close to saying I want more money? It’s not like I want a better deal than I used to have, I just want to get back to where I was. How badly is changing jobs for money viewed by the hiring community? Thanks.
I don’t think it’s out of line to say that you moved states due to your spouse, and that you’re looking for a job more in line with your experience and that this position was very exciting for you to see open, so you applied. In this economy, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to turn down a job in that situation when you could be waiting a very long time for another opportunity. Sure, you could have opted not to move yet… but what if that took years? Unemployment numbers are scary high.
In my opinion, an honest appraisal sounds better than ‘not a fit’, which can mean a lot of things (not all of which are flattering to you). It’s a perfectly reasonable situation that doesn’t make you sound like a job-hopper or a pain in the ass. They don’t know the full situation; for all they know, this new company promised you the world and didn’t deliver.
Isn’t “not a good fit” a code phrase for “can’t work well with other people”? Not saying you are wrong, but that’s always how I’ve heard it used, normally in the aftermath of a firing. If it’s considered Kosher, I’ll go with it.
I dunno. They might ask you to elaborate on what “not a good fit” means, but it’s easy to weasel around and say that you don’t think your skills are being fully utilized and stuff like that. It sounds like a pretty easy thing to address without sounding like a job-hopper or a pain in the ass. That kind of question and answer isn’t going to be the make or break point IMHO. Saying you’re not getting paid enough would throw up more red flags for me.
Thanks guys. I take it that job-hoppers and pains in the ass must be the categories of employee that nobody wants, for obvious reasons. PITA is self-exlanatory, but what specifically flags someone as a job-hopper?
There is no way to say “I made a hasty decision without thinking it through” without employers thinking you are the kind of person who makes hasty decisions without thinking them through. You aren’t going to be able to hide what you did.
So I agree with just going with it. Tell them you were moving, and you were under pressure to find a job. After working your new job, you’ve realized how much you miss operations and how it really is the best place for you.
It takes more than one quick move to be categorized as a job-hopper. Especially if you’re moving back to your old area of expertise. It’s OK to say “I thought the development side was where I wanted my career to go next. Turns out I was wrong” - suitably gussied up in interview-speak.
Just tell them the company has started to lay off people and you feel that it is in your interests to explore other venues now. Or tell them that you took the job and you had certain medical and dental benefits and as of January 1, 2011, they are eliminating (or cutting the benefits back) and you can’t work for a job without benefits (or reduced benefits)
It doesn’t hurt to add that you want or need more money. Reasons for changing jobs (other than losing one) are rarely simple. The relocation is your key point though. There’s nothing wrong with changing jobs rapidly when the situation changes.
I love these threads, because it shows a) what great lengths employers will go to to ensure that they never hear the truth from potential hires, b) the great lengths that potential hires will go to to conceal their true reasons for wanting the job, and c) how a whole language exists to facilitate said lying.
No criticism against anybody here because you need the job, but for the love of God, whatever happened to frank and honest discussion? After you get hired following your BS session you’ve no reason to conceal the truth anyway, so why not cut through the crap from the start? “I don’t like the job I’m doing now, I’d like to make more money, and this job is something I can do well.” It’s what you want to say, it’s what they know you mean, so why can’t it just be said?
I agree, but every time I tell myself I’m going to walk into an interview and say “Listen, no one tells the truth at an interview, so you never know what you’re really getting. I’m not gonna do that. Ask me questions, and I’ll tell you the full truth, even the bad stuff, and we can find out, together, if I’m a good fit here. Or, just say no, and I’ll do the regular interview thing and softball every question back at you,” I think about how the softballing seems to be working for everyone else, and why rock the boat now? I’ll do it after I get the job.
I think your off base here. The theme of this thread is about avoiding saying something that can be misinterpreted. Initial interviews are brief, an encounter between strangers, and a business transaction. Due diligence requires skepticism by both parties, and an innocuous statement could be seen as a disqualifying factor that ends the process. In a second interview, there may be more time to discuss matters in detail, and make clarifications, but you have to get that far in the process first.
It’s always best to interview for a job where you have a personal connection. If you know someone at the company, or an intermediate known to both parties. This situation allows the parties to give each other the benefit of the doubt. If that situation isn’t available, at least interviewing with someone of similar personality, interests, or background helps. But if it’s a cold contact, polite caution is the way to go.