Help! I need to be diplomatic about a previous employer....

Spud_2

I am completing 2 job application forms today but I need help with some wording!

A few years ago I worked for a brief period for a company which I voluntarily left because the MD was a complete &*@! if you get my drift! He shouted and swore, made female staff regularly cry and was the most unprofessional person I've had come across in my working life. He used to spin around the office having hissy fits - it was like "tantrums & tiaras" if you've ever seen the Elton John documentary.....

Anyway, on the application form it asks for "reason for leaving". I always come unstuck as I never know quite how to word it. Any tips? In the past I've said things like "unsuitable - happy to discuss" as I've not wanted to appear unprofessional myself by committing anything to paper but I'm not sure how this looks to a prospective employer.

I don't want to leave the job out of my CV altogether as it was relevant experience to the work I am now applying for. Thanks for reading!

kittykate_2

I would put that you moved on because you wanted to explore another career area/work place and develop your skills further.

hjb123

Career development? Further the career?

I can understand what you mean about how to put it though!

rjh090384

i have put unpleasant working environment down before then discussed in interview. never had a problme with it.

May-B

I'd say that you didnt feel you were reaching your full potential, or that you knew you could make a more suitable/better contribution as an employee of x company. And then if it comes up at interview make it a really great opportunity to say, hence I have applied for a position at your company where you have a fantastic management structure, dedicated staff and I will have a fabulous opportunity to invest my tremendous skills and experience (probably without all of the flouncy words though, I just stuck them in for fun!)
- That way it shows that your not the kind of person that would just shuffle paper at a company you didnt want to work for rather than leave and look for something better. Plus, if they really need you to go into detail about your nasty boss you can give some basic details, (diplomatically though, I dont think it looks good to rant) say that you value a diverse work place and working with an organisation that values it staff - like you're company Mr interviewer/application form.
Hope that sounds ok!

CFC

If you were only there for 5 minutes so to speak, I wouldn't put 'career development' as a reason for leaving. If it was a small company, you could put, 'preferred more corporate environment, especially if you moved to a bigger or more well known company.

PS - 'more corporate environment' is business-speak for either

a) decent working environment
b)professional attitudes
c)realistic benefits
d)staff training.

It signals diplomatically to the employer that the company was a stinker.

Mics_chick

I don't know what line of work you're in but couldn't you put that you were employed on a fixed-term contract for X number of weeks.

Yes its a white lie but if its a while ago they are unlikely to write for a reference and the only thing they are interested in is your experience while working there.

reehsetin

i put unpleasent work environment on my applications, wasnt a problem
but we're talking about part time jobs so maybe they dont care as much though my manager seems to be the type whod care if it mattered