At interview, should I mention my previous boss at this company - who I didn't get on with?

PIP83

Hi

I worked for this company 10 years ago and didn't get on with my boss - He had some daft rules that made the job more difficult.

I know that when I applied there again about 5 years ago (different team but same profession) I got rejected at application stage because he put in a bad word - The annoying bit is me not having any chance to say my side of the story.

I've now reached a 2nd round interview for another job there.  I don't want the risk of finishing the interview and finding that they've then gone and spoken to him again without hearing my side i.e. hearing about these daft rules that I've not seen anywhere else.   (Note:  I know that he is still working there).

So I'm wondering is this a situation where against usual rules, it would make sense for me to mention at interview that there were some things we didn't agree with and explain why?

Thanks

custardy

not a chance. You are a potential employee vs a long standing employee.
Why would they employ someone who is flagging up issues before even starting?

Jillanddy

I wouldn't. He's presumably worked there for more than ten years, and his "daft rules" must be getting the job done whatever you think, because he's still there and his opinion counts with others in the workplace. You are coming across as very hard work from the get-go by criticising your former managers rules. 

ryan7

How do you know that you never got the job down to 'bad word' from before?

TELLIT01

Absolutely not.  If you are asked directly if you know anybody at the company don't lie, but don't volunteer information - particularly about somebody who managed you and your opinion on their 'daft rules'.

The fact that you thought the rules were daft doesn't change the fact that they were the rules, and may still be in place.  The fact that you thought the rules were daft doesn't automatically mean they were daft either.

74jax

PIP83 said:

Hi

I worked for this company 10 years ago and didn't get on with my boss - He had some daft rules that made the job more difficult.

I know that when I applied there again about 5 years ago (different team but same profession) I got rejected at application stage because he put in a bad word - The annoying bit is me not having any chance to say my side of the story.

I've now reached a 2nd round interview for another job there.  I don't want the risk of finishing the interview and finding that they've then gone and spoken to him again without hearing my side i.e. hearing about these daft rules that I've not seen anywhere else.   (Note:  I know that he is still working there).

So I'm wondering is this a situation where against usual rules, it would make sense for me to mention at interview that there were some things we didn't agree with and explain why?

Thanks

How would he know you applied before?

If you need to disclose if you know anyone there, you could say 'I'm sure xyz worked here many years ago, not too sure if still here' kind of thing.

I would never 'give your side' in this situation. 

Martin_the_Unjust

Nope, no, not ever.

Well you could i suppose if you really don’t want the job.

PIP83

Thanks for the replies, the message is clear.

From the other perspective, the fact that this rule hasn't been seen in any of the other similar companies or projects over my 20 year career says a lot about the rule.

True, I don't want this short-term job if this rule is in place across the whole department.   So without naming names (unless they ask), I'll check with them whether this rule was just in place in that sub-team or across the whole department.

gettingtheresometime

PIP83 said:

Thanks for the replies, the message is clear.

From the other perspective, the fact that this rule hasn't been seen in any of the other similar companies or projects over my 20 year career says a lot about the rule.

True, I don't want this short-term job if this rule is in place across the whole department.   So without naming names (unless they ask), I'll check with them whether this rule was just in place in that sub-team or across the whole department.

Wouldn't they know you worked there before anyway from your application?

tbh it sounds as if it would be more trouble than it was worth to employ you, especially if you've questioned the rule in the past - ever heard of the saying he who pays the piper, calls the tune?

Jillanddy

PIP83 said:

Thanks for the replies, the message is clear.

From the other perspective, the fact that this rule hasn't been seen in any of the other similar companies or projects over my 20 year career says a lot about the rule.

True, I don't want this short-term job if this rule is in place across the whole department.   So without naming names (unless they ask), I'll check with them whether this rule was just in place in that sub-team or across the whole department.

No, it really doesn't. It says quite a lot about you that you are holding a grudge about a rule for over a decade though. 

It's a short term job, you clearly have numerous issues with the employer. Why on earth did you apply for it in the first place, given your abundantly clear attitude? 

74jax

Is the rule in relation to the job, so you could ask at interview 'during the day to day role will I be {insert rule} do you know'?

Or is it more relaxed, and only something between him and his team?