• Home
  • Services
    • Resume Writing & Coaching
    • Courses and E-Books
    • Corporate & Group Services
    • Free Resources
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • FAQ
    • Contact
  • Blog
Hollywood Resumes
  • Home
  • Services
    • Resume Writing & Coaching
    • Courses and E-Books
    • Corporate & Group Services
    • Free Resources
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • FAQ
    • Contact
  • Blog

ASK HR: How do I tell employers I need a new job because I hate my current one?

7/14/2023

 
"ASK HR" is our advice column where we answer readers' questions about pressing work dilemmas, job search queries, resumes, and navigating Hollywood. If you have a career-related question, email us, and the answer could appear in a future newsletter! All submissions will remain anonymous.

Dear Hollywood Resumes, 

I’ve been running into a consistent problem during job interviews. After I tell the interviewer about my role and all the things I’m doing in my position, they say, “Wow! Sounds like a lot of interesting work! Why are you looking for a new job?” I never know what to say. The truth is, I am doing interesting work, but I’m severely underpaid, and the culture of my workplace isn’t great. I’m leaving because I have to GTFO! Obviously, I can’t say that. But I get thrown off every time I answer, and I can feel the interviewers hesitating that something is off. I need a new job, yesterday. How can I answer this question next time?

Inept at Interviewing


Dear Inept at Interviewing,

First of all, good for you for realizing you deserve to work somewhere that pays you fairly and treats you well. It’s hard to escape an abusive or toxic work situation, and we’re glad you are actively hunting for a new job. There are a lot of toxic workplaces like yours in Hollywood, so this is a very common conundrum, and one we’ve faced ourselves.

The key is to remember that the interviewer is trying to ascertain whether you’d be a fit for the role they are hiring for. This includes whether you’ll be happy in the role, and if your expectations will be met. With this question, they’re trying to figure out what you hope to gain from this new position. If you’re applying for lower-level jobs out of desperation (which is very common!), you’re more likely to get that moment of surprise. In that situation, the interviewer is expressing concern that you may be bored in this role. Before you try to convince them otherwise, consider what it really means to leave a toxic role only to land in a place where you’re totally stagnant. If there’s no room for growth, and your work is below your level, you may feel just as taken advantage of as you do now. You don’t want to wake up in five years and realize you spent the first half of your career in the wrong jobs. If you really need to leave your current situation that badly, you may be better off quitting and taking a short-term gig to pay the bills while you focus your job search on appropriate roles. If you can handle your current situation a little longer, let them pay your bills while you phone it in at work and focus on applying for roles that are more appropriate.

That said, if you’re applying for roles you’re qualified for (not underqualified for) and still flubbing this question, you’ll want to reframe it when you answer. Instead of thinking about why you want to leave an old job, think about what you hope to gain from this new job. What does this specific company offer that interests you? Maybe they work on a different style of content you’re excited about. Maybe they have a larger slate of projects, or a more focused one. Maybe they work with different types of clients than you’re used to. As you do your pre-interview research, consider what excites you about the prospect of the position, and answer positively about that. “Why are you looking for a new job?” becomes “Why are you looking for this new job?” Avoid talking negatively about your current employer or sharing gossip. Stay focused on the future, and you’ll have a much more confident and convincing answer! 

​-- Angela & Cindy


Comments are closed.

    Hollywood Resumes

    ​Welcome to our career tips blog!  To receive our updates via email, sign up for our weekly newsletter.  You'll also get access to exclusive discounts, offers, and resources! 

    Sign up now!

    Categories

    All
    ASK HR
    Assistant Life
    Bios
    Career Coaching
    Career Transitions
    Cover Letters
    Industry Spotlight
    Internships
    Job Applications
    Job Interviews
    Job Search Tips
    LinkedIn
    Networking
    Personal Statement
    Professional Development
    References
    Resume Help
    Salary
    Script Coverage
    Social Media
    Thank You Notes
    Work Life

    Archives

    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016

    RSS Feed

Sign up for our FREE weekly newsletter to receive career tips, discounts, and access to our resource library!
SUBSCRIBE
Photos used under Creative Commons from Jimmy Benson, 401(K) 2013, christiaan_008, televisione, Dai Lygad, MarkMoz12, Krists Luhaers, Nguyen Vu Hung (vuhung), Hollywood_PR, State Farm, Joe The Goat Farmer, HandsLive, Glyn Lowe Photoworks., thedailyenglishshow, dno1967b, flazingo_photos, jmrodri, cliff1066™, Joe The Goat Farmer, flazingo_photos, starmanseries, anitakhart, jimmiehomeschoolmom, Glyn Lowe Photoworks., hfb, gminguzzi, thedailyenglishshow, Visual Content, mkhmarketing, Peat Bakke, Visual Content, vlauria, flazingo_photos, flazingo_photos, cafecredit, StockMonkeys.com, homegets.com, wuestenigel, Tudor Passion, amtec_photos, Joe in DC, dane brian, MrJamesBaker, Camera Eye Photography, FootMassagez, amtec_photos, gdsteam, edwin van buuringen, One Way Stock, Joe The Goat Farmer, wuestenigel, wuestenigel, flazingo_photos, wuestenigel, amtec_photos, lookcatalog, marcoverch, ThoroughlyReviewed, Rolf Dietrich Brecher, Denis Bocquet, Ray Beaulieu, edenpictures, verchmarco, Skakerman (Archive), TheBetterDay, shixart1985, frankieleon, torbakhopper, Philippe Put, ironypoisoning, aqua.mech, rawpixel.com, marcoverch, wuestenigel, o.tacke, Brett Jordan, focusonmore.com, focusonmore.com, wuestenigel, MorseInteractive, mikecogh, wuestenigel, howard.emma22, Steve.M~, Ben Kraan Architecten BNA, quinn.anya, Damian Gadal, verchmarco, EpicTop10.com, Bovee and Thill, Informedmag, amtec_photos, gfdnova1, EpicTop10.com, Canonicalized, DigtalGeekLady, Alan O'Rourke, davidstewartgets, amtec_photos, Mauro Cateb, Mapbox, mugwumpian, amtec_photos, Ivan Radic, State Farm, thedailyenglishshow, markus119, nodstrum, shixart1985, shixart1985, verchmarco, Damian Gadal, HerryLawford, marcoverch, Javcon117*, wuestenigel, verchmarco, _Fidelio_, kahunapulej, FindYourSearch, Gerry Dincher, amtec_photos, docoverachiever, symphony of love, marcoverch, amtec_photos, quinn.anya, dalecruse, wuestenigel, wuestenigel, TheBetterDay, wuestenigel, DaPuglet, markus119, wuestenigel, SurFeRGiRL30, amtec_photos, wuestenigel, Bennilover, howard.emma22, csm_web, tompagenet, Per Olof Forsberg, Blue Mountains Library, flazingo_photos, roland, amtec_photos, Free For Commercial Use (FFC), amtec_photos, focusonmore.com, DannonL, MorseInteractive, dno1967b, ToGa Wanderings, homethods, InstructionalSolutions, verchmarco, bizbuzzmedia, TheBetterDay, wuestenigel, yourbestdigs, Rodrigo Soldon Souza, CreditDebitPro, shixart1985, shixart1985, wuestenigel, Debbieallendale, Rennett Stowe, wuestenigel, verchmarco, amtec_photos, wuestenigel, wuestenigel, davidmulder61, campbelj45ca, pixelmattic, rawpixel.com, amtec_photos, wahousegop, wuestenigel, marcoverch, wuestenigel, wuestenigel, thedailyenglishshow, verchmarco, L. Allen Brewer, adrianvfloyd, Phil Roeder, sylvain kalache, Masa__Israel, Free Public Domain Illustrations by rawpixel, Masa__Israel, Coffee-Channel.com, MacBeales, Homedust, amtec_photos, amtec_photos, wuestenigel, thedailyenglishshow, BAMCorp, amtec_photos, Miranda Mylne, Kamkashdigital, verchmarco, romanboed, wuestenigel, Free For Commercial Use (FFC), neil cummings, Gustavo da Cunha Pimenta, shixart1985, wuestenigel, marcoverch, Anthony Quintano, ArchivesOfOntario, MorseInteractive, wuestenigel, amtec_photos, jpalinsad360, Damian Gadal
  • Home
  • Services
    • Resume Writing & Coaching
    • Courses and E-Books
    • Corporate & Group Services
    • Free Resources
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • FAQ
    • Contact
  • Blog