How do I explain searching for a new job immediately after a promotion?
June 2, 2016 12:56 AM
I have been with my current workplace for about 10 months, and I’ve just received a promotion. It was my intention to stay in my new role with my new, better job title, which will give me greatly improved career prospects going forward, for a year. However. Serious escalation of Crazy Manager behaviour has made me realise I must start looking for a new job, basically ASAP. There must be a way to navigate this gracefully, but I’m so stressed out right now I can’t see it. Help!
There is a snowstorm of snowflakes but basically management’s level of crazy is intolerable, utterly toxic, not going to change, is rapidly getting worse - and the stress from this environment is now affecting my health quite seriously.
I will not be applying for roles that fit with my old job title, which I have done elsewhere for about seven years. I will be applying for jobs like, but not quite the same as, new job title. Actual responsibilities of old job title are perfect fit for these roles. But if anyone asks – and it’s a reasonable question – “So, you’ve been with Employer for 9 months, just been promoted, why are you leaving now?” What can I say? “Not a good fit” doesn’t seem right when clearly, they think I am a good fit, and I thought I was a good enough fit to take on the new role too.
Also relevant - old role: senior professional; new role: middle manager.
There is a snowstorm of snowflakes but basically management’s level of crazy is intolerable, utterly toxic, not going to change, is rapidly getting worse - and the stress from this environment is now affecting my health quite seriously.
I will not be applying for roles that fit with my old job title, which I have done elsewhere for about seven years. I will be applying for jobs like, but not quite the same as, new job title. Actual responsibilities of old job title are perfect fit for these roles. But if anyone asks – and it’s a reasonable question – “So, you’ve been with Employer for 9 months, just been promoted, why are you leaving now?” What can I say? “Not a good fit” doesn’t seem right when clearly, they think I am a good fit, and I thought I was a good enough fit to take on the new role too.
Also relevant - old role: senior professional; new role: middle manager.
You're over thinking this; chances are that the interviewer won't ask such a question or if they do, will be happy with a vague answer like "it's just time to move on".
posted by octothorpe at 3:30 AM on June 2, 2016
posted by octothorpe at 3:30 AM on June 2, 2016
As a point of reference, I'd be more concerned about interviewing a senior professional that only stayed for 10 months. The promotion actually gives you a way out.
Actual responsibilities of old job title are perfect fit for these roles.
"My passion is actual responsibilities of old job title but found the role was more middle management. I saw the listing here for the position doing old job title duties and am interested in how I could fit in here."
posted by Candleman at 5:05 AM on June 2, 2016
Actual responsibilities of old job title are perfect fit for these roles.
"My passion is actual responsibilities of old job title but found the role was more middle management. I saw the listing here for the position doing old job title duties and am interested in how I could fit in here."
posted by Candleman at 5:05 AM on June 2, 2016
It's great you're looking - a management situation with too many snowflakes to summarize is generally pretty toxic, yeah.
Is/are there strategic and/or political reasons that would explain the management style? (not justify it! just make sense of it, which does not mean it's a good management decision.) Potential examples: merger, buyout, client pressure on prices, inexperienced managers, etc. Something like that will help you understand and also explain in interviews. For instance, someone I know well *cough* is in a company that merged with another last year, but it was actually a buyout, the dissimulation of which lead to lower morale, coupled with unexpected yet predictable pressure on prices when it turned out main clients hadn't actually prepared for major transitions we all saw coming. Plus! Inexperienced managers! Ahoy toxic bath. The person I know explained the context in job interviews and it reflected so well on them that they got a better salary offer than they had asked for. Why? It showed curiosity and business sense.
You've got to be factual and impersonal, and yes, interview with places who value this type of insight - not all do. Otherwise, indeed, the very fact you're looking for something a bit different is a reason in and of itself: "I'm looking for a change; I appreciate challenging myself and growing" is good.
posted by fraula at 5:05 AM on June 2, 2016
Is/are there strategic and/or political reasons that would explain the management style? (not justify it! just make sense of it, which does not mean it's a good management decision.) Potential examples: merger, buyout, client pressure on prices, inexperienced managers, etc. Something like that will help you understand and also explain in interviews. For instance, someone I know well *cough* is in a company that merged with another last year, but it was actually a buyout, the dissimulation of which lead to lower morale, coupled with unexpected yet predictable pressure on prices when it turned out main clients hadn't actually prepared for major transitions we all saw coming. Plus! Inexperienced managers! Ahoy toxic bath. The person I know explained the context in job interviews and it reflected so well on them that they got a better salary offer than they had asked for. Why? It showed curiosity and business sense.
You've got to be factual and impersonal, and yes, interview with places who value this type of insight - not all do. Otherwise, indeed, the very fact you're looking for something a bit different is a reason in and of itself: "I'm looking for a change; I appreciate challenging myself and growing" is good.
posted by fraula at 5:05 AM on June 2, 2016
This is a tricky situation but you shouldn't overthink it. Put yourself in HR's shoes - you got a promotion and you're looking for whatever reasons you have. No reason to disparage the old firm unnecessarily.
Other things you might say if pressed:
1. You realized your career growth within the firm was limited after this promotion
2. Your interests weren't inline with the firm
3. If there has been a change in management - you don't like the new corporate direction
I just switched jobs (again 2x in 2 years, not fun) and the last round of interviews I used "new management is heading in a direction where my skills won't be valued." Which I know everyone interpreted as "new CEO is an idiot" which is basically true.
Last thought - you're applying for this role because you're really interested and couldn't pass up the chance.
posted by Farce_First at 6:08 AM on June 2, 2016
Other things you might say if pressed:
1. You realized your career growth within the firm was limited after this promotion
2. Your interests weren't inline with the firm
3. If there has been a change in management - you don't like the new corporate direction
I just switched jobs (again 2x in 2 years, not fun) and the last round of interviews I used "new management is heading in a direction where my skills won't be valued." Which I know everyone interpreted as "new CEO is an idiot" which is basically true.
Last thought - you're applying for this role because you're really interested and couldn't pass up the chance.
posted by Farce_First at 6:08 AM on June 2, 2016
I hate to advocate for staying somewhere so incredibly toxic, but if you're able to stick it out for two more months (maybe use that time to really polish up your resume, LinkedIn, touch base with references, research companies you want to work for, etc.), being able to put on a resume that you stayed somewhere for a year will raise fewer eyebrows than ten months for purely psychological reasons; a year feels like a good complete milestone. However, it sounds like that's pretty impossible, given the circumstances.
Since you've only been there 10 months, I would probably just combine the old job and new job together on my resume to save space and not invite the wrong kinds of questions.
Just something like:
New Job Title, Toxic Workplace, Inc., Smarch 2015 - Present
-Any new job responsibilities; maybe mention promotion if it makes sense to
-Old job responsibilities that you want to continue to do
-Old job responsibilities, etc.
If it looks like it's all under the same umbrella, they might not even bring up the fact that you're leaving after a promotion, although they may ask you why you're leaving Toxic Workplace, Inc. so soon. I love Candleman and fraula's advice--if you're able to be specific about the nature of the reason you're leaving without trash-talking the place, it will show that you know what you want and that you're savvy about organizational shifts and business machinations.
You'll look invested in your career and in the environment where you work, which is a positive enough aspect that it should well cancel out any bad vibes they might have picked up from your leaving your current job so quickly. Good luck! I hope you find something new and better quickly!
posted by helloimjennsco at 6:16 AM on June 2, 2016
Since you've only been there 10 months, I would probably just combine the old job and new job together on my resume to save space and not invite the wrong kinds of questions.
Just something like:
New Job Title, Toxic Workplace, Inc., Smarch 2015 - Present
-Any new job responsibilities; maybe mention promotion if it makes sense to
-Old job responsibilities that you want to continue to do
-Old job responsibilities, etc.
If it looks like it's all under the same umbrella, they might not even bring up the fact that you're leaving after a promotion, although they may ask you why you're leaving Toxic Workplace, Inc. so soon. I love Candleman and fraula's advice--if you're able to be specific about the nature of the reason you're leaving without trash-talking the place, it will show that you know what you want and that you're savvy about organizational shifts and business machinations.
You'll look invested in your career and in the environment where you work, which is a positive enough aspect that it should well cancel out any bad vibes they might have picked up from your leaving your current job so quickly. Good luck! I hope you find something new and better quickly!
posted by helloimjennsco at 6:16 AM on June 2, 2016
In my experience, potential employers appreciate honesty. I know the conventional wisdom says you're never supposed to badmouth a current or former employer, but people do leave jobs for reasons and interviewers know that. I recently got a new job after eleven years with my employer because my boss turned crazy, and when asked I said things like, "there is a lot of turmoil within the management team and it's just not a positive environment anymore." Or "there have been some recent changes in the way the company is managed that have made it clear it's time to move on." Or you could say, "When I was offered the promotion, the job was presented to me differently than it turned out to be in reality."
I was as honest as I could possibly be in interviews without getting into the nitty gritty of my boss's personal meltdown and I had people throwing job offers at me. To me it's sort of like when people with anxiety are afraid to ask their doctors for medication - doctors aren't dummies; they can tell when someone is drug-seeking and when someone legitimately has a problem. The same is true in job interviews. I've interviewed people before; it's easy to tell when people are being shifty about their situation. If you're qualified and personable and willing to be honest, that's going to come across as a positive.
posted by something something at 6:30 AM on June 2, 2016
I was as honest as I could possibly be in interviews without getting into the nitty gritty of my boss's personal meltdown and I had people throwing job offers at me. To me it's sort of like when people with anxiety are afraid to ask their doctors for medication - doctors aren't dummies; they can tell when someone is drug-seeking and when someone legitimately has a problem. The same is true in job interviews. I've interviewed people before; it's easy to tell when people are being shifty about their situation. If you're qualified and personable and willing to be honest, that's going to come across as a positive.
posted by something something at 6:30 AM on June 2, 2016
I'd put the position as your current title and not mention that it was a promotion. I'm with something something, insofar as being honest about why you're looking. "I've had a great opportunity to learn in this position but due to changes in the management structure I think a less chaotic workplace would be a better fit for me." There's always, "I'm pretty happy where I am, but this position is such a great fit for my talents and interests that I decided to go for it."
The past few years have been pretty terrible for me in the job market, I had two jobs in really messed up organizations. I was SO honest about it, and I ended up with two great offers for Job Charming.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 6:51 AM on June 2, 2016
The past few years have been pretty terrible for me in the job market, I had two jobs in really messed up organizations. I was SO honest about it, and I ended up with two great offers for Job Charming.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 6:51 AM on June 2, 2016
"I'm just really excited about this role!" is the answer. This isn't worth worrying about. Go get 'em!
posted by so fucking future at 7:47 AM on June 2, 2016
posted by so fucking future at 7:47 AM on June 2, 2016
“So, you’ve been with Employer for 9 months, just been promoted, why are you leaving now?”
If you say it's not a great fit, and they question that, you say,
"It's been really exciting to take on the new management role, and [opportunities to develop and use management skills, etc], but having that new perspective on the corporation is one of the things that made me realize how appealing a job like [this one I'm applying for] would be."
You're telling them that the company culture was never perfect and this became more obvious from a management perspective, but that you love the new job tasks and want to do that for a new company.
posted by aimedwander at 8:32 AM on June 2, 2016
If you say it's not a great fit, and they question that, you say,
"It's been really exciting to take on the new management role, and [opportunities to develop and use management skills, etc], but having that new perspective on the corporation is one of the things that made me realize how appealing a job like [this one I'm applying for] would be."
You're telling them that the company culture was never perfect and this became more obvious from a management perspective, but that you love the new job tasks and want to do that for a new company.
posted by aimedwander at 8:32 AM on June 2, 2016
"I saw the listing and didn't want to miss the opportunity to join your great organization" is a good answer if it's at all credible.
posted by salvia at 10:09 AM on June 2, 2016
posted by salvia at 10:09 AM on June 2, 2016
This is kind of tough. As a hiring manager, I'd be instinctively skeptical of the idea that you can do New Role, but that you can't or don't want to do it at Company That Promoted you Into New Role. Generally my stance with candidates who have a problem with their current employer is that the burden of proof is on the candidate to show that they are in the right and their company is in the wrong. YMMV, but one thing that would work with me is one or two anecdotes or statements of fact, delivered without excessive emotion or complaining, that clearly illustrate that your prior company is a uniquely bad place for you to be a manager. ("They promoted me to manage a project, but then the project was canceled"; "I found out that performance ratings are determined in consultation with a professional psychic" etc.)
posted by phoenixy at 7:30 PM on June 2, 2016
posted by phoenixy at 7:30 PM on June 2, 2016
This thread is closed to new comments.
I don't think this is a big issue, at least one you shouldn't bother worrying about until you have an interview lined up. and "not a good fit" is probably the best answer, regardless.
Good luck with the job search!
posted by emd3737 at 2:14 AM on June 2, 2016