Tips - No. 136

Tip No. 136

Q. I quit my last job because of conflicts I was having with a co-worker. What should I say to a prospective employer?

A. I am sorry that you had to endure a difficult work situation. A hostile work environment can create a great deal of stress in anyone's life, especially since we spend about 80% of our waking hours at work. Usually, it is best to try to resolve the situation by discussing the difficulties directly with the person with whom you are in a dispute. However, sometimes that does not have the desired consequnces and it becomes necessary to turn to your manager for assistance. Unfortunately for you, your manager seems to have been rather unavailable and unable to assist you in working through this dilemna.
It is difficult to advise you without knowing more of the details of the circumstances of your resignation? Did you just quit on the spot? Did you turn in a letter of resignation and give at least two weeks notice? What was the reason you gave your former employer for leaving?

Assuming that your relationship with the company management was good, despite the problems with your co-worker, and assuming that you turned in a letter of resignation and gave two weeks notice, and that you stated your reason for leaving as an opportunity to pursue other interests or to find a more satisfying position in the work that you would be doing, you can simply tell potential employers that you discovered that you desired more challenge, stimulation, or something to that effect, and chose to leave to pursue a position more suited to your interests and talents.

If however, you left under disagreeable terms, the best thing to do is to present your leaving your former employer in the most neutral manner possible. Say only what is necessary and stop! You may want to say something to the effect of, "I usually get along quite well with most people. Unfortunately, however, I had some disagreements with a co-worker that I worked diligently to resolve to no avail, so I decided to pursue other, more agreeable opportunities. It was a great learning experience for me." Then tell the new potential employer what you learned from the experience and what you would have done differently, in retrospect, or what you will do to handle similar situations, if they arise in the future.

Best of luck to you!

CMI
Career Management International

If you have a question for CMI, please send email to jobbox@cmi-lmi.com with "Question for CMI" in the subject line.

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	Tip No. 136
Q. I quit my last job because of conflicts I was having with a co-worker. What should I say to a prospective employer?
A. I am sorry that you had to endure a difficult work situation. A hostile work environment can create a great deal of stress in anyone's life, especially since we spend about 80% of our waking hours at work. Usually, it is best to try to resolve the situation by discussing the difficulties directly with the person with whom you are in a dispute. However, sometimes that does not have the desired consequnces and it becomes necessary to turn to your manager for assistance. Unfortunately for you, your manager seems to have been rather unavailable and unable to assist you in working through this dilemna. It is difficult to advise you without knowing more of the details of the circumstances of your resignation? Did you just quit on the spot? Did you turn in a letter of resignation and give at least two weeks notice? What was the reason you gave your former employer for leaving? Assuming that your relationship with the company management was good, despite the problems with your co-worker, and assuming that you turned in a letter of resignation and gave two weeks notice, and that you stated your reason for leaving as an opportunity to pursue other interests or to find a more satisfying position in the work that you would be doing, you can simply tell potential employers that you discovered that you desired more challenge, stimulation, or something to that effect, and chose to leave to pursue a position more suited to your interests and talents. If however, you left under disagreeable terms, the best thing to do is to present your leaving your former employer in the most neutral manner possible. Say only what is necessary and stop! You may want to say something to the effect of, "I usually get along quite well with most people. Unfortunately, however, I had some disagreements with a co-worker that I worked diligently to resolve to no avail, so I decided to pursue other, more agreeable opportunities. It was a great learning experience for me." Then tell the new potential employer what you learned from the experience and what you would have done differently, in retrospect, or what you will do to handle similar situations, if they arise in the future. Best of luck to you!
CMI Career Management International

If you have a question for CMI, please send email to jobbox@cmi-lmi.com with "Question for CMI" in the subject line.

TipsArchive \| About Our Counselors \| Career Management International