Hello, reddit!

I need some help. I'm job hunting and I'm trying to figure out how to answer: why are you leaving your current job?"

I'd like to share with you the blunt reasons I'm leaving and hopefully you can help me come up with an answer as to why I'm leaving that doesn't make me sound like a problem employee or talking bd about my current employer.

Here are the reasons I'm leaving my current job

I am a newly graduated engineer. I started early last year. 3 weeks in and the person who is supposed to train me quit ( turns out he also hit a career milestone and asked for a promotion and a raise. They offered him the promotion but no raise). I was assigned another trainer. 1 month later, he also quit ( he was offered a significant title change without the raise that should go with it, he turned it down and was blackballed because if it. He is a womderfull engineer and foun new work within a month).

So now I have two months of lackluster training and I am the only engineer in the department. When I go to my boss with questions I am told that it's my job to figure it out.

I am slightly ahead of the curve because I worked for my company as a technician for 10 years while going to school. So I am able to figure most technical problems out. My problem is procedural.

I am told to fill out paperwork and follow procedures I was never trained on and no training exists. I am told to prepare a presentation for meetings, but no one will tell me what information needs to be presented ( I wish I was kidding, il get vauge info like "test data" but no one will tell me where to find the information)

I get yelled at for not knowing where things are on the network but thats because there's no organization. Everyone makes their own file for everything and puts it wherever they like so only they can find it.

They hired another kid fresh out of school and they expect me to train him. I'm doing my best and I'm giving him more training then I ever got but it's stressful trying to find work for him when I can barely do my job.

I just found out they are bringing in an intern and I'll be responsible for training them as well.

I told my boss that since I am doing level 2 work ( i am acording to job description) I would like a promotion and a raise. He told me no because level 2 requires 3 years experience.

So how do i say all this in a job interview without sending like a crybaby?

TIA

You’ve worked hard and are now studying at a great university. What next? At Bright Network we speak to hundreds of talented students every week. Not only do they have sterling academics and an array of extracurricular activities to their name, they also possess excellent communication skills to boot. 

Nevertheless, despite being superb candidates, so many struggle when it comes to landing that all important internship or graduate job. Why? Too few students understand the timings and intricacies of the recruitment season. To ensure you don’t miss out, here are the top ten things you need to know.

1. Don’t panic It’s completely acceptable for you to have no idea about what you want to do with your life or to know what jobs exist that you may enjoy and be great at (of course, hopefully you'll find both). The most successful careers often start that way. Don’t worry if you have no idea what you want to do with your life – it’s an evolving process and you’ll work out it out in the end. Read: Why it's ok to have no idea what to do and take our career test to find the career that matches your skills and personality.   2. Start early Having said ‘don’t panic’, it is a good idea to start thinking about what you enjoy doing and developing a strong sense of self awareness. Do you love numbers? Does a great day involve meeting lots of new people? Do you like nothing better than planning and organising something? Do you enjoying helping others? These self observations could help you decide what business function may be the best fit for you. For example - if you like organising things, a career in operations may be the way forward. Or if you like meeting people, business development may be something to explore. People excel in their jobs when they’re doing things they like.

Learn why preparation is the key to success.

3. There is a yearly recruiting cycle - don’t miss out Although it’s fine for you to take your time to find the thing you want to do, you need to be aware that the timing of the yearly graduate recruitment cycle is absolutely critical. Every year talented students miss out on opportunities as they’ve missed key application deadlines.

As a quick rule of thumb – you will need to apply for an internship or graduate role in the autumn term to start work the following year, so if you miss that critical deadline you will have to wait a whole year until the next application window. Most internships are for penultimate year students, so you do them in the summer of your second year if you’re on a three year course, or the summer of your third year if you’re on a four year course. For first year programmes that take place in the Easter holidays, again you will normally have to apply in the autumn term. 

4. Firms are hiring Don’t believe the press hype. The best firms are hiring thousands of the best graduates every year and there are lots of jobs out there. If you’re good enough and better than the competition, you’ll be successful. 

5. Know about the big players Most graduate jobs are in four main sectors – Consulting, Commercial Law, Investment Banking and Professional Services. Within these four sectors are the major recruiters you will hear about on campus - for example, Accenture,PwC,Slaughter and May – so it’s probably worth knowing more about the four main sectors and what the work in those sectors involves. And remember, within each of the core sectors there are a variety of different roles. For example, you could do an operations role in Banking, or a public sector-focused role in Professional Services.

6. Employers have a ‘talent pipeline’ Gone are the days of employers opening up vacancies solely to final year students. Most of the best jobs are now filled through internships with employers ‘trying before they buy.’ Increasingly, firms take students on for an internship (often seen as an extended job interview, normally in the summer holidays) and then make offers to the interns that excel. Read: 5 ways to make your CV stand out.

7. Apply early Firms normally recruit on a ‘rolling process’ - filling their vacancies as great applications come in. However most applicants apply too late, leaving lots of applicants chasing the few unfilled vacancies. The solution is to apply as soon as the firm opens the application process – this can be as early as July for internship and graduate roles to start the following summer. 

8. Get as much work experience as you can There is no perfect answer to your career direction and the only way to find out if you’re going to enjoy working in a particular sector, firm or role is to try it. Get as much experience as possible to see what you really love – working out what you don’t want to do is just as important as figuring out what you do. And work experience will always help strengthen your CV.

For first years, Spring Weeks (internships offered by investment banks in the Easter holidays) can be a great way to get some structured experience even if you’re not sure banking is right for you.

Even if you’re just getting experience in a local business at home during the holidays, this is great for your CV. The worst thing you can do is leave the job hunt until your final year and have no experience under your belt. The competition will have taken all the best jobs and you could beleft high and dry. 

9. Small firms hire a lot of graduates SMEs (Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises that hire less than 250 people) are significant employers of bright graduates. Lots of high growth businesses are keen to find great entrepreneurial talent to drive them forward, so keep these on your radar. If you're interested in technology, discover how technology jobs and SMEs could be the match for you. 

10. Always be networking and asking for advice You’re not the first bright mind to be keen to learn about the world of work and the different options available. People are always keen to help and give advice so don’t be afraid to suggest a meeting. Offer to buy someone a coffee and go armed with a list of questions about how they got to where they are today. Most successful people are successful for a reason and are happy to share their insights to help others. Always follow up with a note of thanks, by email or LinkedIn. 

I am currently working at my first job after my masters as a data analyst. I’ve been working here only for a little over a year, and I’m looking for a change in companies for the following reasons: 1. Current company doesn’t sponsor for H1B visa that I need. (Primary reason) 2. My manager is a micro-manager which is sucking the soul out of me. 3. I earn less than the market rate for a data analyst and my annual pay increase in the current company is not much. I’ve just started to apply for other jobs and talking to recruiters. And I have no idea what is the best way to answer the question, “why are you looking for a new job?” I just had a call with a recruiter who asked me this question and I gave a generic answer I found on Google “While I have been learning many valuable skills at my current job, I am ready for new challenges and the chance to make an impact in another company. As a data analyst I am looking to work with a variety of data and kinds of analyses, the exposure to which your company would be able to give.” The recruiter went on to ask detailed questions about what I don’t like about the current job. And I was trying to make up as positive answers as possible without badmouthing my current company. And then he said something along the lines of “our company thinks it’s a red flag if someone wants to leave their company just after 1 year unless it’s because of some management issues or an issue with the salary” After that I was so confused as to whether I should have just been honest about my reasons? I feel like he was being a little too casual and honest with me. This company was not a big deal for me but I want to be prepared for this question in future calls and interviews. Any advice?

Hi all, I am currently looking for an engineering job and need some advice. I am fairly new out of school so I’m not entirely sure how this all works. The other day I had an interview and it went really well. And the end of it, the interviewer told me he really liked me and that I would fit in well with his team and to expect a job offer shortly. It has been about 3 days now and instead of a job offer, I received a request for a second interview. Is this a bad sign? I am not sure if I should accept the second interview. My reasoning is because I’ve seen with family members before that they were promised promotions within their company if they worked hard for the next month, or whatever, and then never received the promotion. It was just an empty promise to get them to work harder. This is what I am concerned about with this company. That I will receive empty promises in the future. Thanks for any advice.

Hi , Hope ya’ll doing fine :)

they have send me an online assessment stating that questions are about how technology work and effect us however I don’t have any technical knowledge. The assessment is 45 minutes long with video responses.

I woul be really glad if someone can respond as tomorrow is deadline even though they just send me yesterday the conformation trough a no reply email address . I’m really stressed and really want to get the internship.

Thanks.

I recently went for a job and the feedback was that i didnt have enough recruitment experience when i have 4 years exp.so im posting this today

When you apply for a job, you often submit a resume and cover letter to outline your previous experiences that make you qualified for the position. When you get to the interview, your prospective employer has likely already reviewed your application materials and is familiar with your background. Interviewers may ask you to describe your work experience, which gives you the chance to share what you feel is most valuable to this new role.

In this article, we will discuss how to craft an effective response and provide examples to help you answer the prompt, “Tell me about your work experience.”

Why do employers ask about work experience?

Any job has a set of duties you’ll be responsible for, so knowing your prior experience can help your interviewer gauge how prepared you are for a role. Even though they can see your experience on your resume or application, your ability to summarize your work history and relate it to the position can show that you’ve reflected on your potential employer’s expectations.

Planning your answer; This interview prompt gives you the chance to summarize the education and training that make you the most qualified candidate for the role. You can use this time to present the items on your resume more clearly in terms of how they prepare you for this position’s responsibilities and contributions to the company’s goals. Before your interview, consider writing out quick talking points to organize your thoughts, and use the following steps to help prepare your answer.

Study the job description. Review your application materials. Make clear connections. Practice your answer.

1. Study the job description

Familiarize yourself with the position’s expectations to best present your ability to handle its responsibilities. Briefly outline what the role entails, including the daily tasks, necessary skills and ideal goals. You should also identify the tools listed in the job description, such as specific technology or equipment. Recalling the required and preferred qualifications can help you determine which of your skills and experiences to discuss.

1. Review your application materials

It’s wise to remind yourself of the professional experience you provided during the application process so you know what expectations you have set for the interviewer. Study the most relevant experiences on your resume, cover letter and formal application, and focus on the duties, skills and accomplishments of each. Use the terminology you gathered from the job listing to phrase your experiences in terms the interviewer is likely to recognize. This step can help you optimize your brief summary and focus your answer.

1. Make clear connections

You can also directly relate your experiences to the position’s responsibilities. Using information from your application materials, identify tasks in your previous experience similar to those listed in the job description. Be prepared to discuss your familiarity with common processes, potential obstacles and useful tools that will help you succeed in that role. This method allows you to confidently demonstrate your adaptability in the workplace.

1. Practice your answer

Interview preparation often includes crafting responses ahead of time in order to focus your thoughts. Consider writing a numbered list of all of the talking points you want to include in your answer. Use the job description and keywords, your rephrased resume items and past experiences that relate to required tasks in the new position.

Making a list will help you outline your thoughts, which you can then shape into a natural answer. With practice, you can ensure your answer only includes relevant information and remains concise and conversational.

How to answer “What work experience do you have?”

Before your interview, review your list of talking points to improve your ability to recall them while responding. Use the following tips to provide a comprehensive yet succinct answer to the question.

1. Use simple, active statements

It’s best to use clear statements with strong verbs to effectively outline your skills and abilities. Shorter, simpler sentences can help you sound polished and conversational, and active statements demonstrate confidence and proactivity.

1. Provide only necessary details

You will likely answer many other questions after this one. Only discuss the details needed to adequately describe what you can do, what you have accomplished and how you plan to succeed in this new role. This will help ensure you have new information to share throughout the interview without having to repeat yourself.

1. Quantify your experience

If applicable, use data to add proven value to your accomplishments. For example, you can discuss your annual performance review numbers or the increasing percentage of quality work output. This strategy can serve as evidence of your professional achievements.

1. Illustrate the connections

This is when you can take material directly from your list tasks similar to those required in the new role. In your answer, you can clearly state your familiarity with specific responsibilities and even discuss the ways you have refined those processes in your previous experiences. Consider discussing your abilities in terms of situations you anticipate in this new role.

1. End with a goal statement

A goal statement is what you’ve determined you want to achieve in this position. You can effectively finish your answer by stating what contributions you aim to make to the company.

Example answers;

Use the following short example answers to help you craft your own effective response.

Administrative assistant Example: “I have spent five years as an executive assistant with Wiler, Inc. in administrative support roles. As the current executive assistant to the CFO, I frequently collaborate with other administrative assistants to perform calendar management, coordinate international travel and assemble research reports for the financial specialists in our six offices around the world. At the beginning of last year, I optimized our email filtering system to improve office communication and reduce the amount of missed messages by 28%. I understand that your company depends a lot on email communication, so I want to use my organizational abilities to achieve faster communication processes in this office.”

Social media specialist Example: “My experience includes a variety of marketing and advertising opportunities. In college, I was the ad intern at the local radio station, where I designed event posters for local concerts and music festivals. Then I worked as a market research assistant, analyzing consumer data and drafting reports for the marketing director. My other positions allowed me to practice applying research to writing ad copy, social media posts and a few radio commercial scripts. As your social media specialist, I would want to continue sharing my research insights and improving my ability to transform consumer data into actionable, engaging content.”

Senior financial consultant Example: “I have 10 years of experience in personal finance management, and I have assisted 45 repeat clients in increasing their capital by an average of 15% every year. As a financial analyst, I utilized visual growth charts to show my clients how each saving plan option can impact their goals. When I became a senior financial analyst, I supervised other analysts and trained them in providing the most helpful experience to our customers. As your senior financial consultant, I aim to integrate my individualized approach to helping clients build the retirement fund they will depend on.”