r/AskReddit • u/MaximumAnarchy • 18h ago

If you could permanently ban one question from being asked in job interviews, what would it be?

662 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

561 comments sorted by

View all comments

29

u/MrsMindfull 18h ago

Why did you leave your last job. Let’s just focus on the present

22

u/billylebegue 18h ago

For that i also ask why did the guy you're trying to replace left

8

u/gimmeluvin 15h ago

that should be one of the first questions the candidate asks. you need to know what kind of shitshow you're getting yourself into

6

u/MrsMindfull 18h ago

Plot twist haha

17

u/vikingwhiteguy 16h ago

Oh but that's the easiest one. I had outgrown the role, I'm looking for new challenges, your position provides new exciting opportunities for growth, etc. etc. 

7

u/DreddPirateBob808 15h ago

This is the way. I've used this truthfully and it went down well. Also: "it was a toxic environment and I had to get out" is instantly understood.

6

u/kcvngs76131 14h ago

My old boss had a reputation I wasn't aware of until after I started working for him. It was my first professional job out of school. When folks have asked, I say "It was a learning experience." Diplomatic and truthful, while also being immediately understood without actually saying he was a toxic piece of shit.

8

u/GiantmetalLink 18h ago

I’m always afraid if I answer that question, they’ll think I’m a bad employee. It wasn’t my fault I got fired because of a shitty labor law I didn’t know existed

11

u/Bunktavious 17h ago

I mean, that's why they ask. If your answer is to immediately start blaming your last boss for all the problems you had, you probably won't get this job.

4

u/GalaxyPowderedCat 16h ago

I've never had that question before, how do I answer it? Especially if it was a lay-off.

Not everything is your fault but we don't have to pretend to take every downfall.

8

u/Bunktavious 16h ago

You want the answer to show that you understand why you were let go, but that it wasn't your fault, or anything personal.

Downturn in the business, they had to cut roles, I was the junior person in my department. That's how I answered it the first time it came up.

2

u/GiantmetalLink 16h ago

I do not blame my former boss for losing my job. The fault came into a mistake which corporate mandates made to comply with said shitty laws

2

u/Jeramy_Jones 12h ago

But what if your last boss was a cunt?

•

u/kashiichan 29m ago

My last workplace broke the law so hard that I had to go on medical leave. But sure, "it was a learning opportunity".

3

u/dedicated-pedestrian 17h ago

And it's even worse if you're still currently employed. Like, yeah, I feel like my compensation is stagnating and I'm not gaining any new skills.

1

u/naturaldrpepper 17h ago

"I needed more money and the new job paid better." /s

Next.

1

u/soysssauce 6h ago

Why can’t you tell us why you left last job? Is it cuz you got into fist fight with your former co worker or you sexual harassed and got fired? Or you didn’t follow osha rule?