experienced interview-how to properly "complain"

[apk123]

When I did my first job switch, it was easy to explain why I wanted to leave. At my company I could only do X, while I really wanted to get into Y, but other than that everything was great (which was more or less true).

for my next job, when I decide to switch,I am likely to stay doing Y,, which is good for demonstrating fit, but bad for the "why do you want to leave" topic. Is it acceptable to discuss aspects that you don't like about your current situation? If so, how to go about it and what you can and can not discuss?

If you'd like a more specific situation, suppose I joined the current company because the new boss was an expert in Y and was selling the position as an opportunity for me to learn Y very well. But shortly after joining, due to personnel and organizational changes you got a new boss who has actually been working in Z for the last many years. Not only does he know Y much less than his predecessor, but he seems to think that my job is to teach him Y,, although I only did X at my previous company and joined the new company to learn Y. how much of this can you discuss in an interview and how?

[asdfasdf]

Spin the expected positive aspects of the new job, it's tricky, just try very hard not to go negative that you hate your job now or anything.

Be prepared for the follow up question why you can't learn y in your role now. I wouldn't expect you to learn everything from a supervisor, so maybe speak to why as an organization you aren't able to get the exposure to Y you need to get more confident with it.

[IKnewIt]

Do you happen to also be moving to a new part of the country with the job change? You can stress that part. I really want to live/work in ____ City/Town. Old City/Town is too urban/rural/far from my family/etc. for me.

[apk123]

Yeah I will talk about the positive aspects, my question is more about the"why do you want to leave" interview question. I'm not a disgruntled employee, but that's an area that could be better.

I'm not looking to change locations so I can't use that line.

[JMO]

If they ask (they may not), you can mention that there have been " personnel and organizational changes " There's no need to go into details. Then say you think the new position will give you more "opportunity for me to learn Y very well." The interviewer may be able to read between the lines, but you should not spell it out.

[Maine-iac]

You want to leave because you are looking for a company with strong A, B and C, which interviewing company has. This may imply that your current company lacks A,B and C, but you don't have to say it.

[apk123]

Originally Posted by Maine-iac

You want to leave because you are looking for a company with strong A, B and C, which interviewing company has. This may imply that your current company lacks A,B and C, but you don't have to say it.

Thanks, good way to say it. What if the interviewer will try to dig deeper?

[JMO]

Originally Posted by apk123

Thanks, good way to say it. What if the interviewer will try to dig deeper?

You are worried about nothing. The interviewer will draw his (her) own conclusion, but won't try to trap you. Focus on why you would be excited to be at the new place, and say nothing bad about the current one.

[deathfrombelow]

Originally Posted by JMO

You are worried about nothing. The interviewer will draw his (her) own conclusion, but won't try to trap you. Focus on why you would be excited to be at the new place, and say nothing bad about the current one.

This is wonderful advice. I echo the sentiment of never saying anything bad about a past job in an interview. At best, it will seem awkward. At worst, it will peg you as a complainer.

[sweetiepie]

Originally Posted by JMO

You are worried about nothing. The interviewer will draw his (her) own conclusion, but won't try to trap you. Focus on why you would be excited to be at the new place, and say nothing bad about the current one.

I disagree. I feel like every experienced interviewer asks this question to see if you're willing/able to tell a vague and rosy lie.