How to Talk About Your Horrible Boss in a Job Interview

Working for money is ghetto enough, but it is a double whammy if you are unlucky and have a horrible boss. There is the internship that promised to teach you things, but all you learned was the number of restaurants within a 3-meter radius. My horrible boss acted like work was beneath her, so it always felt like I worked twice as hard for only half the salary. 

When you are wading in the waters of applications and interviews, questions on why you are leaving your current role are common. It would be best to be cautious of how you present your relationship with your previous or current superior. 

According to John Lees, the author of the book, How To Get a Job you Love, “the primary reason people leave a job is because of either a mismatch in culture or a boss who drives them up the wall”. You might not have forgiven them for all the weekly reports you had to write on Saturdays or the micromanaging that undermined your agency as a professional. But you need to put your best foot forward, so here are six tips on talking about your horrible boss in a job interview.

1. Focus on the achievements

The interviewer does not need to know your true feelings about your boss. Use it to discuss what you learned and accomplished with the team. Reiterate how the experience makes you an ideal person for this role.

2. Do not share unnecessary info.

Your interview is not the time to dredge up unresolved feelings. Answer the question without launching into a monologue unprovoked. Do not give details unless the interview inquires for more information and, in that case, keep it breezy. You want to appear level-headed and open to new opportunities for growth.

3. Frame your experience in a positive light

Speaking your truth is good, but there is no need to spend 10 minutes ranting and badmouthing your previous boss. Mention the opportunities you had to learn and contribute to the company and how they helped you hone relevant skills. I could spin my experience carrying the department’s weight as an opportunity to work without supervision. It will sound something like, “my supervisor had such faith in my abilities to get the job done efficiently without her micromanaging me.”

See, spin your truths into a job offer.

4. Talk about what you liked.

Talk about the fun parts of the job and how much you enjoyed the day-to-day activities you did. Share challenges that you faced and overcame and problems you encountered to paint you as a fun coworker and an excellent fit for the company’s culture.

5. Mention what did not work

You can mention what caused a mismatch, such as the leadership style, a lack of feedback, or the meetings that should have been emailed. 

Be open-minded and note how things could have been better and the parts you played in the situation. Mention your willingness to learn from the experience and improve subsequently to demonstrate that you are self-aware and know what you are searching for. 

6. Mention what you are searching for

A mismatch might be your primary reason for applying for other jobs, but it should not be the main reason you give interviewers. You could talk about wanting more responsibility or wanting a more challenging role. Mention the preferred management style you seek. A positive spin on your reason for leaving helps you leave a good impression on the interviewer.

It would help if you also mentioned your excitement at starting a new journey, joining a company that aligns with what you want, and putting all you have learned to good use.

When talking about your previous bosses, remember to stay professional. Do not be overly critical or jeopardize your chances by obsessing over the past. 

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