How to Answer an Awkward Interview Question

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To Dan Rodriguez: Though it may be too late for this procedure in your case, those employed in any company or business that tends to disappear by closing, merger or sale, should always keep a copy of each year's W-2 or 1099 that they receive at the end of the year. In the event that you can't find former employers, you can at least provide a verification of employment in a category of business for a specific period of time.

M.S. Haden of TX 8:38AM February 04, 2012

I completely agree with the author. Moreover it is always nice to imbibe the habit of positive speaking, whatever the situation may be.
I have learnt out of my experience that we rather feel better when we speak positive things than cribbing about someone or something. Besides, avoiding to speak about previous experience, if not favorable, also equally holds good as interviewers do appreciate the need to abstain instigating further on not so good experiences.
However, there may still be circumstances wherein an interviewer may test the patience to understand the real issue. In such situations, it may be advisable to ascertain the interviewer's approach, question and model the response to suit the situation.
To supplement all the above, it is important to do some preparation on expecting the unexpected! At the end of the day, Interviews are also learning experiences and one should not purely look at it as another job opportunity.

Anand 12:47AM February 03, 2012

I recently just had this in an interview and as much as I hated everyone at my old job I found it somewhere in me to say "There wasn't much room for advancement" - What really was happening was the culture was toxic, nepatism, basically everyone was related. I went on to say "It was a VERY small company and I was the only employee not related" I smiled and shrugged it off and they understood. (obviously that doesn't give me much room for growth) But- Instantly after the interview I was mad at myself for even saying anything beyond my first response... yikes. Emotional times can be tough.

Ange of ME 1:31AM January 31, 2012

heres a question? Ive worked in the resturant industy for 20 years in every thing from management to dish washer. Most of these where small companies. As such all have closed or my reference has died. The company i spent 10 years with moved and i have tried to locate with no success. So now im stuck with unverifible references how do i handle that....

Dan Rodriguez of WI 10:00AM January 27, 2012

Early in my career, I definitely floundered on this question. After a series of successful interviews with staff, in the final interview a board member was brought in. He was your typical board member: older/white/male/conservative, and had worked for the same company for the last 30-odd years. He noted that I had dropped out of grad school just shy of defending my MA thesis and asked why. I blurted out the first thing that popped into my mind: "I wasn't happy there."
It was the honest truth and even an understatement--I had in fact had two nervous breakdowns during my time in grad school and dropped out only after lengthy consideration of the subject with a therapist. It took a while to get over my guilt about "giving up" and "letting down" my advisor and family, and telling myself it was OK to leave a situation which caused me such an unhealthy degree of misery was a valid choice for me to make, hence for me it was empowering to affirm that "I wasn't happy," was the reason I had left. But of course the conservative old board member had none of this context, and when I replay that interview (for which I unsurprisingly did not get a call back) in my mind I cringe at what a terrible response it was. I'm sure it raised all kinds of flags for this board member that I was incapable of committing to anything, had no sense of loyalty, and was looking for some kind of mythical perfect job that would be all fun and sparkly rainbows all the time, and was likely to quit as soon as I encountered any downsides to the position.
Different situations call for different truths. "I wasn't happy there," was appropriate for a personal affirmation but too cavalier-sounding for an interview. "I had two nervous breakdowns in grad school," would have made me sound less cavalier, but would have also been too much personal information and cast doubt on my mental health (which has been just fine ever since I left the grad program!). In retrospect, the best answer would have been something like:
"It was a difficult decision for me to leave, because I was succeeding at my classes and wanted to finish what I had started, but I learned while in the program that academic work was not as fulfilling as I had imagined it would be. Having fallen two years behind my college peers who had not gone to grad school and had been gaining real-world work experience, and knowing I would not be applying for jobs that would require the degree, it made sense not to waste any more time delaying my entry into the workforce. My experience working in this field has been the complete opposite, rewarding and personally fulfilling, and I'm glad that I left school when I did, and have been grateful for the opportunity to prove my talents in a field that is a much better fit for me."
That answer is just as honest, but provides reassuring context to the interviewer that the reason I walked away from grad school won't potentially be reasons for me to walk away from their company. 20/20 hindsight!

Emily of MD 1:44PM January 20, 2012

I have always known that badmouthing someone only makes you look bad. I considered it a challenge to stay at my last position without quitting and I did it. I do realize I may be a bit difficult to work with under huge demands and high stress. Thanks for the information, I am going to use it!!!

Atlasflasher of NJ 8:31AM January 20, 2012

"I had a job interview with an insurance company, and the lady said, ‘Where do you see yourself in five years?’ I said, ‘Celebrating the fifth year anniversary of you asking me that question.’"
-Mitch Hedberg (RIP)

Seth Lassman of NY 1:38PM January 19, 2012

I'd also add that you should never volunteer more information than you need to give!
I left my first job out of college because of some major family drama which led to a breakdown. I am fine now, but I do not want any future employer thinking that I am totally unstable or too "delicate." When I'm asked why I left, I say it was to deal with a family matter and leave it at that. I've never been asked to explain what the family matter was, and I never, ever go into detail, nor would I.

Vicky of NY 1:21PM January 18, 2012

My situation is actually similar to what you've mentioned. In general, I resigned because I could not work in the environment or with the leadership any longer. At the time, I truly felt it was unbearable. The odd/challenging thing is that I worked in HR :-D
Since the beginning of this month I've tested out answers similar what you've suggested. In general, I think its the best thing that one can do given the situation. There does not seem to be an easy way outta this one. I assume Recruiters and managers can sense when something is not quite right, but believe that I've gotta give it my best shot and hope that someone can appreciate the skills you have and the energy you bring enough to want to hire you, despite the situation.
I appreciate this column! I've been looking for some guidance and this does help.
Joy

Joy of VA 1:03PM January 18, 2012

I don't understand why this question even gets asked, because answering it honestly only results in a strike against you. I wanted to leave my last job because my supervisor was an insecure, bullying manager and my boss was a self-aggrandizing, unethical narcissist. In interviews, it became, "I want more challenges" when I really wanted to say, "I WORK FOR CRAZY PEOPLE."
What's the point, if the honest answer isn't what most interviewers will get?

Heather of CA 12:47PM January 18, 2012