Career Strategies

Let's say you are in an interview and the hiring manager asks you about your last boss. Or let's say he asks you a loaded question such as what didn't you like about the last company you worked for. These types of questions can be tricky because you want to answer honestly but at the same time you don't want to seem like a spoil-sport. What should you do? Well, no matter what you should never speak negatively about any company or manager you've worked for previously. Even more important is that you should never criticize the company's policies or procedures. Regardless of how you may personally feel, sharp criticism can and will kill your shot at the position. The truth of the matter is that you could be right. But because of different viewpoints or a lack of seeing the whole picture; the person interviewing you will frame you as troublemaker or bad apple. You simply don't know how that manager thinks and feels so to assume they will agree with you is faulty logic. This rule should especially apply if you are dealing with people in the same industry. Usually, people know the players in their market and may personally know or like the manager you are speaking negatively about. I've seen many cases in which candidates go into a long story about how bad their former boss was or how bad the working environment was. They would tell me how the person interviewing them would nod in agreement or actually sympathize with them. Yet, the candidate never got the position. This technique is common. Hiring managers will nod in approval to lull you into a false sense of security. The goal is to keep you talking. In this way they can find out who you really are. In fact the technique works all the time and many candidates fall into the trap! I even use it when I interview potential candidates for a position. So, though it may appear you are gaining favor reframe from any and all criticism. Do the exact opposite and praise the company. Now don’t go overboard but maintain a positive disposition. After all, no one likes a spoil-sport.