Advice on reason for leaving last job due to bullying

gman123

I've always been told when going for a job interview never to say anything bad about your previous employer that would show them off in bad light. The reason being people can interpret it the wrong way.

I left my last job after being bullied by my previous employee and their admin staff who took no action after trying to raise my grievances numerous times. In the end I felt the job was going no where and my boss left me no other option, despite trying to come to find an acceptable resolution, but to leave the company.

I'm now looking for a new job but wondering how to let potential new employers now the reasons for leaving my last job without coming across as difficult/trouble maker and showing my previous employer in a bad light?

jdturk

i would think very hard about hiring someone who had said they had been bullied in their previous roles because it smacks of trouble maker (even if your not)

If your moving to a differant role and you had been at your previous post for a few months then say you wanted to do something differant.

gman123

I'd been there for about 18 months.

pitkin2020

looking for a new challenge, fresh challenge, wanting to learn some new skills, wanting to extend old skills in a new area, moved area lol
Anything really that makes you look like you are thinking about new prospects

wontfallforit

Most people don't leave their jobs because they're being bullied, but most people do leave because they're fed up, want more money, more responsibility, scope for progression, etc.

Any of the above would be acceptable reasons (take great care how you word being 'fed up', and 'wanting more money', though!), you don't necessarily have to mention bullying, certainly not at this stage, and never in a context that could badmouth your previous employer.

However, have you worked since leaving your last job? Simply walking out of a job - bullied or not - is something your next prospective employer is likely to take a dim view of (harsh, I know). If you havent worked since resigning from the jon in which you were bullied, it might be more difficult to 'prove' why you left.

Perhaps someone who's had direct experience in this will come along to this thread and advise you.

Best of luck x

Quenastoise

It's a lousy situation to be in. However, on the plus side, you are now out of the poisonous atmosphere and you can concentrate on getting this bad experience behind you.

I would also recommend not mentioning it at your next job interview. As unfair as it sounds, I would be afraid of coming across as not being able to fend for myself if I gave the real reason for leaving:(

Good luck with your job search. Go and show the bullies who's the real winner

Anihilator

Do not tell them unless it can be proven, and even then, it might go against you.

I'd be checking it out in case its an excuse to avoid referencing to hide a secret.

gman123

Like always you MSE guys have offered some good advice thanks.

@wontfallforit

I'm trained as a designer and this was my previous job. I haven't had a permanent position since leaving 6 weeks ago but thankfully my line of work lends itself to freelancing which I've been doing to keep busy and bring in some more money whilst I find a new job. I've just been freelancing under my own name and not working in another studio. I guess really I should put this down as my current employment on my CV?

To expand a little more on why I left; excessive working hours and pressure as well as threats made by admin staff towards myself and colleagues created an unpleasent working environment. I brought these issue up with my direct line manager and boss and neither took notice or action to help alleviate these problems despite my willingness to offer solutions. In the end this lead to more and more stress. I then ended up being signed off twice with illness caused by the stress. I then raised this illness with my boss and line manager and told them that stress was a major factor and this needed to be reduced. In the end no action was taken by my employer to reduce the stress and threatening behaviour so I decided along with the advice of my doc, there was no point continuing as I'd only make my health worse and it was clear that my employer saw me as replacable as it was only a very small company.

LittleVoice

gman123 wrote: »

I haven't had a permanent position since leaving 6 weeks ago but thankfully my line of work lends itself to freelancing which I've been doing to keep busy and bring in some more money whilst I find a new job. I've just been freelancing under my own name and not working in another studio. I guess really I should put this down as my current employment on my CV?

Yes, you do need to include it on your CV. On your CV do not include reasons for leaving.

At interview, no doubt you will be asked - so prepare a positive reason for moving to the freelance role but also a sound reason for then wanting to work for whatever organisation it is that is interviewing you.