Forums

Hello forum!

I'm looking for some assistance.  I'm a Lead Engineer for a software development firm.  While I understand every workplace has their own challenges and there is no such thing as a perfect job or company, I need a change of scenery.
 
Why am I looking for a new job?  There's a complete lack of vision, leadership, and personal development in this org which has made it impossible for me or my team to do our jobs anymore. 
 
The next level of management is petty and spiteful; they make disputes personal.  They lead through fear and intimidation; it’s a HR mess quite honestly. Also, the teams don't have the resources they need to do their job... for example it takes 27 days to get a software license on a 30 day project.  Why?  Because senior leadership is standing by stairwells with clipboards monitoring employee behaviors and in the parking lot with company purchased radar guns.
 
Yes, you read that last part correctly.  If leadership observes you on the stairs and not using the handrail, it's a disciplinary offense.  They've even pulled security camera footage to try and catch offenders.  If you go more than 10 MPH in the parking lot, you get a company printed parking ticket.  Three parking tickets in a calendar year and the company tows your car at your expense and you're prohibited from parking at the office for a year.
 
I could go on and on about the silliness -- but ultimately I just want to build stuff and develop my people personally and professionally. 
 
The problem I'm having is I'm a terrible liar.  So when someone asks me in an interview why am I leaving my current position, how do I answer that without complaining about all the buffoonery where I currently work?
 
Thanks for your time!

acao162's picture

You said it in your opening line - "I'm looking for a change of scenery" - while I would be a little put-off by that (how long before you don't like the view out our windows!) - saying you are looking for a new challenge is not out of line.

If it were my interview, I'd say that "I feel like I have had a lot of good years with Company A but I am looking for a new challenge.  Your track record of bringing products to market is really imipressive and I'd like to be part of a team that wows the marketplace."  Focus on the positives of the new place - newer equipment/larger staff/better R&D or smaller team/more involvement with projects from concept to market or ?  Never mind the past.

Unless you have actually left, you are just exploring this great opportunity.  Even if you are ready to run out the door screaming, you aren't actually leaving until you have an offer from somewhere else. 

Don't bad mouth or bring up the craziness. Those are great coffee time stories.  Not great interview stories.

derosier's picture
Licensee Badge

 All that crap you bring up, don't mention any of it in an interview. You can say a lot of things, but throwing your current (or any past) company under the bus is really bad. I think such things are mentioned in a podcast somewhere BTW. ACAO162's advice is perfect.

If they dig a bit you can also explain that things at your current company aren't so good and you've come to realize they're not a good long-term fit for you. And, don't go into hateful specifics. And, if they dig even more, you could give some examples of behaviors without trying to attach interpretation to that. But most interviews would have stopped digging before you'd get to that point.

 

Tressie William's picture

Be true to yourself and to your company and undersatnd why you are not able to work as a team(don't just blame your company). I think there is left, Dunlap Vector said everything and I totally agree with him.

Doris_O's picture

The answer is simple: It is the reasons you are attracted to the position you are being interviewed for. Forget everything that is wrong about your current position and/or organization. Just focus on why you are interested in this new position and why you are the best candidate for it.