TRAPS: Never badmouth your previous industry, company,
Board, boss, staff, employees or customers. This rule is inviolable: never be
negative. Any mud you hurl will only
soil your own suit. Especially avoid words like "personality clash,"
"didn't get along," or others, which cast a shadow on your competence,
integrity or temperament.
BEST ANSWER:
(If you have a job presently:)
If you're not yet 100% committed to leaving your present
post, don't be afraid to say so. Since
you have a job, you are in a stronger position than someone who does not. But don't be coy, either. State honestly what you'd be hoping to find
in a new spot. Of course, as stated
often before, your answer will be all the stronger if you have already
uncovered what this position is all about and you match your desires to it.
(If you do not presently have a job:)
Never lie about having been fired. It's unethical and too easily checked. But do try to deflect the reason from you
personally. Examples might be your firing
was the result of a takeover, merger, and division wide layoff. But you should
also do something totally unnatural that will demonstrate consummate
professionalism. Even if it hurts,
describe your own firing candidly, succinctly and without a trace of bitterness
-- from the company's point-of-view, indicating that you could understand why
it happened and you might have made the same decision yourself. Your stature
will rise immensely and, most important of all, you will show you are healed
from the wounds inflicted by the firing.
You will enhance your image as first-class management material and stand
head and shoulders above the legions of firing victims who, at the slightest
provocation, rip open their shirts to expose their battle scars and decry the
unfairness of it all.
For all prior positions:
Make sure you've prepared a brief reason for leaving. Best reasons: more money, opportunity, responsibility
or growth.
