job hunting in a small pond

[Anonymous]

looking for advice as to how to handle an interview with an organization that is similar to the one i work for now. it's a smallish, non-profit community and everyone usually knows what everyone else is up to. my current organization has had its fair share of problems and i am just wondering how to handle the question of "so why do you want to leave XYZ" or "do you like working for XYZ?"

the thing is, if i BS the answer, everyone will know it's BS.

[Anonymous]

I would probably BS the answer regardless of whether or not you think it will get back to your employer. For the most part, people don't want to hear bad things about your current job in an interview. It may make them question your judgment and/or wonder if the problem is really you, not the job. Try to come up with something that is mostly neutral but that explains why you are leaving - "I'm looking for new challenges" or "I want to broaden my skills" or "I think that I would get more out of working for a place that is a little more XXX". But I wouldn't use a job opportunity as an opportunity to come clean with the real reasons you are looking to leave.

[Anonymous]

Agree with PP. Focus on a positive geared toward applying a strength or interest of yours to an aspect of the job you're being interviewed for. "Through my work at X, I've learned that I love and am good at Y and am looking for an opportunity where I can really focus on that." Or "I've gained some excellent experience at X and would like to apply that in an environment like yours where my Y skill/strength can really make a difference."

[Anonymous]

Try the angle that you've maxed out there- and that this oppty will allow you to offer more- and of course how grateful you are of your current experience..

[Anonymous]

If it's true, say that it would be a shorter commute for you to go to this new company (and that you had enjoyed working at the last co., but the commute was a nightmare).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Try the angle that you've maxed out there- and that this oppty will allow you to offer more- and of course how grateful you are of your current experience..

Agree with this. I'm also in a "small pond" feel and believe me, we already know when another org is in trouble. It's like rats leaving a sinking ship. You don't have to push it in the hiring manager's face.