“V” this week writes: When looking for new work (because your relationship with your current manager is not going well), is it a good idea to be open about your issues at the workplace?

Hi V

Sometimes you have no choice! Not to be entirely open, but often you have to say something, particularly if there is a chance the person interviewing you knows of your manager — or you by reputation. (I wrote an article here on the blog on my own disastrous lesson-learned experience where I wasn’t prepared!) Often you may get interview questions like: “V” you’ve only been in this job for six months — why are you wanting to leave?

It is a difficult thing then not to be honest, but the last thing you want to do is sound like you are complaining and being disparaging about your current employer. 

Try instead to be upbeat: “I do like the position I’m in very much, but there are certain aspects of the role that make me think that perhaps I should be seeking a position where I can make a greater contribution”. 

In a lot of cases, that may just get you through and the interviewer may skip to the next question. On the other hand, he or she may say, “Oh really? What aspects of the role are a problem for you?”

Be really careful how you frame your answer. Look the person straight in the eye when you answer. If you divert your gaze or fidget you’ll look like you’re not telling the truth or you’re trying to deceive. So give the appearance of openness and honesty. You could say something like: “To be honest with you, I want to make a more active contribution and my efforts are being somewhat hampered in the type of environment I work in. I’m really keen to work with a forward-thinking team that places emphasis on quality and I see quality issues that just seem to get neglected over and over. I’m looking for an employment environment that has a good team dynamic and a good supportive management because that makes the the workplace a really happy one”.

Now of course that may not be the scenario at all, but what I’m hoping to point out to you by this example is that you haven’t complained, you haven’t said anything nasty, and at the same time you have raised your own profile. So try if you can to frame your answer in a positive light for you. Place a tinge of regret in your voice and mannerisms, like you really wanted it to work out — because then they won’t think you’ll leave them in five minutes too! 

The worst thing you can do is say: “My boss is really unfair to me. He must have no self-esteem because he picks on me for every little thing. No-one really likes him, and I am just really tired of the constant criticisms and put downs”. Makes you sound whiny, complaining and a wimp (grin). So don’t do that!”