5 Trash-Talk Statements to Immediately Get You Eliminated From an Interview

Whether you were fired, laid off or quit to move to a new position - 'trash talking' about your previous or present employer – is not only unpro-fessional but looks bad for you personally. And – very importantly - can get you eliminated from almost any job you may interview for. I say this from experience plus that of the many hiring pros I’m associated with.

I get it – anyone who works gets it – we’ve all had a time or two working for a Grinch. Someone who actually takes pride in treating their employees poorly; who likes seeing them squirm and may even lie to them. No question this is not an optimal situation to work within.

That said, what happens when you finally arrive at the interview for the job you’ve been searching eons for? How do you present the Grinch in a favorable way or at least a way which doesn’t cast aspersions upon you – making it sound as if the problem is you?

If you're currently employed and looking for a new job, it's important to be discreet about any negative feelings you may have towards your current employer. While you may be seething inside, you absolutely don't want to risk jeopardizing your current job, burning any bridges with your employer nor losing out on the job you are now interviewing for because you 'trash talked' about an employer.

What does trash talking include:

It can include almost any type of negative comments about your previous employer (the company), colleagues, clients; making derogatory comments about people or related groups, projects the company developed or directions in which they moved; changes they instituted. In short, it can be almost anything you and/or other employees disagree with. Not only will negative comments about all or any of these scenarios make you appear unprofessional and disrespectful but - true or not - complaining about any of it can strongly suggest to an interviewer or company rep you are difficult to work with. And, in fact, "trash talk' can backfire quickly.

On the other hand how do you respond to negative articles or stories - circulating on the media - which the interviewer mentions?

You are well aware of them - they're all over the Internet. And you can't claim you've been living off-planet or under a rock and unaware of them. In short you can't avoid them, instead address them professionally.

For example:

* 'My co-workers and I are aware of these posts. Concerning the info contained within them - the company believes they are making decisions which are best for their future.'

* 'I'm not included in the decision-making process and unaware of all the facts therefore unable to speak to why they made those/these decisions'.

* "I'm aware of all the press, concerning this situation; however was not part of the decision-making process and have no opinion.

During and interview:
"You might think offering to take on any challenge the company can throw at 
you would be a good thing, but truthfully, it sounds a little desperate." 
Emily Moore, Glassdoor

No company wants to hire someone with 'baggage'.

Regardless whether you've had a negative experience with a previous employer, it's important to maintain a professional demeanor during an interview. However, true your complaints are, however 'right' you believe yourself to be, you still might end up looking petty and disagreeable; someone who may not be a team player. Which can stand out and encourage an interviewer to strike you from their hire list.

Instead of criticizing a previous employer or manager:

Focus on discussing what you learned from the experience and how you've grown as a result. Rather than focusing on conflicts, quantify your accom- plishments mentioning percentages when possible, projects completed, action taken, changes you've successfully wrought.

Bring up any transferrable skills; always important to a potential employer.

If the company has provided any training, mention that. If they have encouraged upskilling, comment on what was included and how you appreciate the training - and again what you gained from it. Mention any certifications received and how valuable they will be to this new company. In short, dwelling on conflicts, with former bosses, in an job interview, won't gain you anything plus it's never a good look for a candidate. However, if necessary it's OK to say your previous job was not a fit and leave it at that.

Regardless the negative experiences you've had with a past employer, focus on how you handled any situations and what you learned from them rather than placing blame or pointing fingers. It comes down to agreeing to disagree. NOTE: Though it may sound unprofessional, it may be 'the better part of valor' to avoid speaking of situations where you quit because of issues you've had with a bad employer or difficult boss. However, this is your decision.

Checking References:

Remember, potential employers may contact past employers for references. And while reference checking is different in various U.S. states, and no information about you may shared re previous employers, it’s still essential to maintain a professional and respectful attitude when discussing past employment experiences with another company.

As far as your interviewers are concerned, every one of your previous

positions was a positive experience, every challenge was an excellent

learning opportunity, every coworker and boss was a friend or mentor

and every situation in your past brought you to the brink of the exciting

opportunity you are interviewing for now.    smarttalent.com
  

5 Never-Make Trash Talking Statements About a Previous Employer:

?1) Avoid making derogatory remarks or criticisms about your past employer, their policies, or business practices; even if you totally disagree with them.

2)     Avoid bringing up confidential or proprietary company info you may have acquired during your employment. Always a no-no.

3)     Do not make any false or defamatory statements about your past employer which could damage their reputation; perhaps even yours.

4)     Never share personal information, about a past manager, shared confidentially. For example – financial info, medical info which may include stories of alcoholism, negative issues they’ve experienced with the company.

5)     Spin bad management into a positive instead of bashing them. If your manager was a non-communicator, state the truth but in a good way. Remember, the interviewer may see negative comments about previous managers as a red flag and wonder if you'll be difficult to manage or speak negatively about them in the future.

In short -

It's always best to remain professional and positive during an interview, even if you have negative experiences with previous employers. Focus on your accomplishments, strengths and what you can bring to the new position.

Sharing negative information about a previous employer can also suggest you need a baby sitter to help you work through previous on-the-job trauma. And no company wants that. They want a positive team player who can show flexibility and adaptability. Make sure you present that image, steering clear of trash talking.