Do you have an upcoming job interview? Check out my example answer to the interview question: “What did you dislike about your last job?“ Other similar interview questions are “What did you like least about your previous job?” OR “Why did you leave your last job?”
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The reason why interviewers ask this question is to gauge a candidate’s personality traits. Are you open and transparent or holding something back? Do you provide constructive and positive criticism or is it merely judgemental and destructive? The interviewer wants to identify YOU and not your last employer.
#1 Example Answer
“There wasn’t much that I disliked about my last job. In fact, my former employer was very supportive and we’ve achieved great things as a team. However, I would like to make a comment on the outdated systems and equipment. I often found myself frustrated by the limitations of our CMS and company laptops. The lack of editorial control, slow performance and monitor freezing issues really reduced my work efficiency.”
#2 Example Answer
“Let me think for a couple of seconds… I’ve given this question some thought, and there wasn’t much I disliked about my previous job. I have to say that last year’s restructuring and budget cutbacks led to unpredictability and complexity in the work environment. The team instability that goes along with it was something that I disliked, but learned to deal with overtime. Overall, it was a great pleasure to work with some really skilled and interesting people at [Company XYZ].”
TIPS
√ Do focus on ‘what’ over ‘who’. There is no reason to speak negatively about your former boss or colleagues. That will only raise doubt and uncertainty because the interviewer will never know who is right or wrong. Keep it positive and constructive by focussing on trivial things.
X Don’t mention a dislike for something that may be common at the firm you are applying to. For example, in the sample answer I point out my former company’s system and equipment limitations, however, you need to make sure that they don’t use the exact same tools.
