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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Poet on July 30, 2004, at 13:48:16
Potential job- writing communications for a nonprofit organization that helps people get jobs.
Recent historyNonprofit healthcare, 4 1/2 years doing communications: brochures, proofreading medical journal articles, assisting with grant writing.
In February I transferred from pediatrics to development/fundraising and my new boss was a nightmare. We couldn't stand each other so I quit in April before she fired me.What do I tell the interviewer?
1. I left due to a change in departmental philosophy. I don't feel that I can discuss it as it was an internal matter.
2. I was promoted to a position in Development/Fundraising, but unfortunately the position turned out not to be a good fit.
Or ?
Poet
Posted by partlycloudy on July 30, 2004, at 14:34:36
In reply to Interview next Fri.- what to say about last job, posted by Poet on July 30, 2004, at 13:48:16
I quit before I was fired from my previous job working for a dentist. When I got over the trauma of the job - it sent me spinning into a deep depression that I'm only now recovering from - I started interviewing for a new job.
I told them that I had left under less than perfect circumstances due to philosophical differences. How the job was presented to me and how it ulitmately turned out were completely different. I had felt the position had been misrepresented and on that basis, I left.
I told them they could not expect a good reference from her for that reason, then offered 3 references from peers and vendors I had dealt with.
I got the job. It was the truth, and I didn't have to say that I hated the old boss, nor that I freaked out because of the pressure.
That's what I did, anyway. I've been here for over a year and they love me, I love them, and life is much easier without the job stress from having a boss who doesn't know how to be a good one.
Posted by AuntieMel on July 30, 2004, at 14:38:04
In reply to Interview next Fri.- what to say about last job, posted by Poet on July 30, 2004, at 13:48:16
I vote for number 2. It's the truth and at sounds better.
Posted by daisym on July 30, 2004, at 17:10:06
In reply to Re: Interview next Fri.- what to say about last jo » Poet, posted by AuntieMel on July 30, 2004, at 14:38:04
I like number 2 but instead add:
"while I loved the work, it turned out that team leader and I weren't a good fit. She/he and I had very different styles of approaching things."
That way you aren't saying one is better than the other, etc.
Good Luck!!
Posted by Poet on July 31, 2004, at 13:39:13
In reply to Re: Interview next Fri.- what to say about last job » Poet, posted by partlycloudy on July 30, 2004, at 14:34:36
Hi partlycloudy,
I will not use my last boss as a reference, but it could be interesting if I did. When I handed in my letter of resignation all she said was "oh, how cute, your new address is on it." About 10 minutes later she came in and said, "pick up my line, there's a headhunter on it, I think you're qualified." (actually I wasn't...)
The next day I came in and she'd packed all my stuff in a box, said "we need people to get along here" and walked me out the door.
I'm combining your response with my number two and adding some of Daisy's ideas. I'll post it when I compose it.
Poet
Posted by Poet on July 31, 2004, at 13:42:26
In reply to Re: Interview next Fri.- what to say about last jo » Poet, posted by AuntieMel on July 30, 2004, at 14:38:04
Auntie Mel,
Number two, plus parts of partlycloudy and Daisy will be it.
Poet
Posted by Poet on July 31, 2004, at 13:45:04
In reply to Re: Interview next Fri.- what to say about last jo, posted by daisym on July 30, 2004, at 17:10:06
Hi Daisy,
Man, did we ever have different styles of approaching things.
My new idea is below.
Poet
Posted by Poet on July 31, 2004, at 14:07:00
In reply to Interview next Fri.- what to say about last job, posted by Poet on July 30, 2004, at 13:48:16
I was promoted to a position in Development/Fundraising. I loved the work, but it turned out that the department head and I had very different styles of approaching things. I left under less than perfect circumstances due to our philosophical differences.
What do all of you think?
Poet
Posted by DaisyM on July 31, 2004, at 15:07:53
In reply to How's this?, posted by Poet on July 31, 2004, at 14:07:00
I think that is great. Be prepared to state what those differences were in positive terms. I'm sure you can state things in a way that conveyed that you were willing to work with different ideas and are a flexible, goal oriented person.
Good Luck!
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