Should I tell the interviewer?

mcstickleback

Good morning,

Tomorrow I have an interview for my dream job but I'm
Debating whether to tell the interviewer the whole truth and here's why:
The job is a field based customer service role, which involves travelling around UK car retailer franchises, discussing their customer service scores and creating action plans.
I currently work at one of these franchised businesses and my job up until a few weeks ago was highly relevant to my new potential role (I was a customer service manager).
I originally interviewed for this position in March 2016 when I was still a customer service manager, however I did not get offered the job right away.
Since my interview in March I was offered another job as a customer service manager with a better salary etc which I took. Two days in to my new job I knew I had made a huge mistake. The new place was falling apart and I heard some senior managers talking about how one of them had made a receptionist leave following him sexually harassing her and they were laughing about it! I contacted my former employer right away and explained. He offered me several positions right away, however my original role of customer service manager had been filled. As a trained mechanic, the best choice for me financially was to head back into the workshop and fix cars again like I had done many years ago. This all took place in August. In November, I was contacted and asked if I was still interested in the field based role and of course I said yes!
I've now been asked to go for an informal interview tomorrow but I'm really worried about how much of this story to include and whether this may affect my chances of getting my dream job?! I was thinking of perhaps leaving out the part about me leaving and just saying I offered to rejoin the workshop to help out as we had 6 mechanics leave within a week (which is true).
Can anyone offer me any advice?

Best regards!

Malthusian

I'd include the lot. The whole story reflects extremely well on you:

- that you had the guts to admit you'd made a mistake and ask your employer for your old job back (or at least as close as they could manage) - not everyone would be able to do that
- that you were principled enough not to work for a bad employer
- that you were valued enough for your old employer to take you back immediately.

It's not clear from your post whether the new job is at your existing employer or a different one. (If it's the former there's certainly little point in trying to change the story as they may find out anyway.)

Obviously whenever they ask you about prior experience you would emphasise the job you had until six months ago. You should be walking in there as a customer service manager (who happens to be temporarily working as a mechanic due to personal circumstances and because the business needed mechanics), rather than a workshop mechanic.

Nick_C

Always be completely honest with prospective employers. If you don't lie but nevertheless don't disclose key information in the interview, then if they hire you and discover the truth they will be less likely to trust you.

Onemanarmy

I think that if the opportunity to discuss that situation arises then you should definitely discuss it as it reflects well on you as someone who was respected by your previous employer since they welcomed you back with open arms. I also think it would make you seem like a person who could be trusted who acts on good principles and values that would represent a company well.

Good luck with the interview!