issues with employer and how to respond to future employer

Society Business and Career
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How should you respond if your future employer asks you about “why are you leaving your current role/organisation”.

here is the situation:

Hubby started new job about 6 months ago. At the time he was promised pay rise after probation period and his starting salary was low. After his probation period he was promised that his pay would increase till he achieves/completes particular project. Now he has completed a lot more than that still no increase in his pay. Now his manager is giving new project and promised pay rise after completing that. and he keeps doing it.

Now hubby thinks his manager is just wasting time on false promises. Hubby is not happy with his manager’s false promises. Hubby wants to look for new job as his pay is way less than what he should get for his role and work.

Hubby is very happy with his role and has no issue. Only issues are with his pay and the trust that he has lost on management.

But what should he say to his future employer why he is leaving his current job?.

Thanks

2

So first of all, never say anything negative about your current job or employer when asked a the question. My response would be something like that...

I enjoy working what I do and fortunate to work with a great team. When I was hired, I had a scope laid out to work on few projects that would help me to grow professionally. I was really looking forward to that challenge. It's just happen that because of restructuring within organization and repriotizing of responsibilities, my scope of work has been shifted to the area where my full potential hasn't been utilized. I am sure that even my manger realizes that, but I understand that we all have to follow organization's goals and objectives. My motivation to look out for another job is to become part of the team where my skills are challenged to help me add value to my full potential.

Not exactly what I said, but say something like that. I am sure your hubby could put it more professionally.

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Re: issues with employer and how to respond to future employer

I think TLK has given a very logical and safe response. That is the fail safe approach.
However, realize that recruiters have heard it before and may think of it as too rehearsed.
My approach has been along the same lines but with just enough of a difference in it that it looks more personal.
this is a tough subject so confidence, straightforward answer that is not too generic will address the concern quickly and permanently

I have said something like the company strategy has changed significantly, and if i was in the executive mgmt role, I probably would have made the same decisions, however that has meant I am not doing what I came here to do. While I am flexible and can adjust to changes, or do something completely different for a small period, It is very different than where my interests are, and what I was recruited to do. I can stay and do what is needed, and do it well, but its taking me off my professional goals (and then list the goals that are in alignment with the role I am interviewing for)..

another spin on it is...I can do what is now being asked but thats not a core strength or a path I want to take. The time is right for me to get back to what I am passionate about.

another way is... I am not really excited about what my role is going to be, and while it is in company's interest, I think my lack of interest will just make me fail. It is in my best interest to go do what I like, and it is in my company's best interest to bring someone on board for this role who is excited about it.

People love examples...one way I say is, "its similar to a soccer team, I want to be one of the best attacking midfielder in the league, so I join a team that will give me more starts and with the style of play that I like...now instead of a quick pass and press style which was a key reason I joined, the team has shifted to a defend and counterattack style, and not only that, I am being asked to pitch in due to team needs and take on the oral of the goal keeper without a timeline of when I can go back to playing the role I came in for. I can leave now and go to a different attacking team and continue to be a good midfield player, give them value and enjoy my role, if i stay here, not only will i not enjoy this, the longer I stay, the lesser i can bring to my next team in the role I want and lose out on my ultimate goal, to be among the best attacking midfielders and help my team win trophies'

adapt sports analogy if needed..

The concerns for recruiter are

1- are you hopping... if we bring you on board, will you bail
2- are you a good professional...are you being forced out because you just sucked
3- are you flexible, our business needs change, will you bail at the first sign of change

so if your answers help with these concerns, and the foundation of that is showing yourself as a good professional with goals and interests that are aligned with the role you are interviewing for, and there has been enough of a shift in organization that you are just that it is not logical to stay,

4

I agree. That is why I said that say something like that, and don’t use my exact words. One should never answer in a way like he is reading off a script. You are right that it should appear personal, and not rehearsed.

Only thing is that he should be ready for the follow up questions. His initial response should not send a signal that oh every time company would change its objective, abd if they are not directly in line with my personal growth, I would leave the company. That would be a negative signal to the hiring manger (you already addressed that in your reply)

Also, hiring manager could ask for specific example of what he was hired for, and what he is doing now that is not in line with his growth. He should have an answer ready.

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Re: issues with employer and how to respond to future employer

There are 1001 answers to the ultimate question you asked.
A right, honest, to the point and appealing response can only be crafted after knowing more about the person and market value of skills he has.
When I interview people I do not ask this question because I know they are looking for a suitable position and they have 1001 reasons behind their quest for a new job. I find out their inclination to the position by asking many other questions.
Some of the responses to your question can be.
1. I am looking to work with a company where there is a growth potential for a person with my skills and experience.
2. I have achieved some great experience at present company but my job seems to have come to a dead end and I do not see light at the end of this tunnel.
3. I am looking for an opportunity to flex my muscles wider and enrich my experience.
............. so fore and so forth

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Re: issues with employer and how to respond to future employer

all (or any) of these within 6 months of hiring would not send a good signal to the hiring manager.

  1. So when they hired you 6 months ago, you never realized what you are getting into? (weak and unpredictable decision making)
  2. you have achieved some great experience in 6 months? (hmmm, maybe they sent you through an expensive training, and now as soon as you are done, you are leaving them)
  3. ... well you know ..
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Re: issues with employer and how to respond to future employer

They did provided training but hubby had training from previous employer too but didnt get chance to do practical work . With this new employer hes doing all practical. i know he should never had agreed to his package. but he trusted his manager as he was referred by several people.

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They did provided training but hubby had training from previous employer too but didnt get chance to do practical work . With this new employer hes doing all practical. i know he should never had agreed to his package. but he trusted his manager as he was referred by several people.
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I understand. I had a similar situation last year. Earlier last year, I was offered a contract to hire position. That means that first three months, we’ll keep you as a contract engineer, and then we’ll convert you into full time. Two months down the road, they started changing their position and started telling me that we are not going to make any decision about converting you to full time for a year. I was like heck you.

I went full swing into looking for a job. Almost every interviewer asked me that why am i looking for a job within two months. I told that it was a short term contract I was hired for. The contract is going to be over in few weeks (it was an on going contract, but who was checking), so I am looking now.

Your hubby can say the same thing. He can say he was hired as a consultant for a 9 month project, so he is getting back in the market and looking for a full time/long term position.

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Re: issues with employer and how to respond to future employer

LOL, that was interviewing 101, I posted a disclaimer in the beginning of my post. Since I do not know much about the guy , his skills , his experience , his industry it is hard to come up with a tailor made response/s.
I am just trying to give some ideas. Successful interviewing is like other skills , it takes lot of time and experience to master.