How would you explain a bad work situation?

Question

I am applying for a government job and they will be going through my work history with a fine tooth comb. I just quit a job that was truly appalling. I cannot hide this job as the government agency has ways to look into my job history. I quit rather than get fired (although I can't collect unemployment as a result) because it doesn't look as bad on your record.

Real facts about the job: I worked there 3 1/2 months, 7 people have left the job. 1 was fired (not me) I am number 7. There are only 30 people in this office. There are 3 office workers (including me) and we were all unhappy with the job and the amount of work we had to do. My co-workers are looking for other jobs and say I'm gutsy for quitting.

When I was hired, I was not told that this office was in trouble and I think this really adds to the negative atmosphere in the office. If this office does not meet its quota by November, they may be closed by corporate. This office is understaffed of nurses and they are overworked as a result.

My supervisor was another race than me and I felt discriminated against me by talking to my peers in her native language, taking them to lunch but leaving me out and bringing them native foods and again leaving me out. She also made some inappropriate remarks to me. I decided to complain to corporate before leaving. I know she got in trouble for this.

She did write a very very bad review of me. Again I quit before they could terminate me.

How would you explain this in a positive way?

I'm really not that bad of a worker. This was just a very messed up situation.

Answer 1

You just say you left per mutual agreement as there were difference of opinion. Leave it at that; if they pursue it then you just tell them the truth and say the atmosphere was detrimental to your well being.

Answer 2

I would explain this exactly the way you explained it here.  If you have positive work history before this job, they will probably be ok with it.

Answer 3

With any luck by the time they get to them the company will be belly up..Keep tabs on them..If they are in business the government investigator will actually look at your file.  So be brief and honest. Did you file for unemployment and then appeal if denied.  A hostile work environment is grounds to leave.  You may be granted unemployment compensation.  This will help in the interim. You may also file a complaint with the EEOC or the equivalent in your state.  

Answer 4

Start with "It was a bad fit." If asked for more detail, say that you were the 7th person to hold this position in the past _____ (period of time), and that you don't want to be negative to this employer, but now you understand how those other 6 people must have felt.

Be as brief and as positive as possible.

Here's my experience with a very similar situation: Years ago, in August I interviewed for a position. I learned in the interview that I would be the 4th administrative assistant this person had hired in that same calendar year. I thought to myself that she must be hiring idiots, and ignored that little voice in my head that told me to run screaming in the other direction. Three months later, I quit to save my sanity! No one person could have made this woman happy, and I understood from a colleague with whom I stayed in touch that she was not allowed to replace me with a "regular" employee, but had to have temps assigned to the position for the following 12 months because HR came down hard on her for poor management.  

Answer 5

Don't lie, but don't give 10000 details, either. You want to say that it was not the right fit for you, and you felt as though you would be better in another work environment. If they insist on specifics, tell them that the office is undergoing a lot of turnover and staffing issues, so much so that it may be closed.

I would definitely not mention specifics about your boss, because that won't appear good on your part. If for some reason, they talk to her and say she gave you a bad reference, tell them you do not agree with her assessment and that you know you were a great employee.

My friend left a job because she got sick and needed major surgery. Prior to that she had missed a lot of time because the illness was affecting her. She did not go over her sick days, though. The boss there was HORRIBLE, evil-I know this because I also worked there. She was abusive and just a nasty woman. My friend went to an interview for a government job. She made it to the second round. The man interviewing was acting kind of funny, because her resume and references are stellar. Well, come to find out the evil boss had told him that she missed tons of days and left early a lot (not true) and never mentioned that the poor woman was very sick. The interviewer said he was not supposed to tell my friend this, but he felt bad because everything else was perfect. My friend explained that this woman was awful (she did this very eloquently) and the man actually understood. She wound up getting another job, so I don't know what may have happened. But, maybe if it gets that bad, you can be open, like my friend.

GOOD LUCK!

Answer 6

Just be honest, but leave the food part out. That was her choice to give it out to who she wanted too. It may sound petite on your part.

Answer 7

I'd low-key it as much as possible.  If asked why you quit, just say it was a really bad place to work - if you have other jobs in your job history that were good, then it shouldn't matter a lot.  I wouldn't go into the detail of being overworked and discriminated against.

Answer 8

Just the facts ma'am, just the facts.

The office is performing poorly, it will be closed in a few months unless it improves, you were not told of that. Many people have bad attitudes because of that and  it was unpleasant to work there. You did your best to improve the situation  ( did you  ? ? ? )  to no effect. You left.  

Skip all the unnecessary details.