“My last employer lied to me. He looked me straight in the eye and lied to me twice in the employment interview. Then he spent the next year undermining me. He made it impossible to reach the pay level he promised me.”
When he told me that, I understood. I’m an agency recruiter. I could see from his previous jobs that he was exceptionally good at what he does. Before he goes out on a job interview I’ll tell him how to handle that situation. Eventually he’s going to have to get over that job wound.
The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. (Gandhi)
Remember, your attitude is everything. Managers know that some bosses reek. Every manager has also had an employee who was terrible. Your interviewer has to decide if you or your boss was the problem. Because they lack facts, they will decide whose fault it was by your attitude.
When they ask you about that lying, thieving, disgusting, wife beating boss you had at your previous job, be careful. Remember, the slimeball’s dog still loves him. Say only, “At my last job I accomplished..” and list the good things you got done.
If asked, “Why did you leave?” Say, “My boss and I did not see eye to eye.” Then add something else that is positive that you accomplished.
Never say more than one sentence at a time about that vile, filthy, back stabbing, dog kicking boss. Remember the Grinch’s cat still purrs when he pets it. Make each short comment about him as positive as you can. Follow that sentence with something positive you were able to get done at that job.
The best thing you can do is GET OVER IT. Forgive the louse. No. Forgive the man. Stop brooding. It affects your attitude. Hate will make it much harder to get a job. Interviewers can smell your discontent.
Forgive, forget, and get on with your life. Do you really think you will be telling every interviewer for the next 20 years about that boss? You won’t. The time to stop telling people about that boss is now.
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Something To Do Today
Had a boss you hated? Make a list of 10 things you accomplished there. Not your job duties, things you made better. Accomplishments. Use that list every time you are asked about the job.
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Later: Fired!
Job search progression