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Is it okay to ask why the previous employee left or was let go?
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In an interview is it okay to ask the interviewer why the previous employee left the position or was fired from the position I am applying for? I would like to understand why someone would have quit a job or been fired to better understand if the position is right for me. Many companies these days do exit interviews so they probably got an answer from the last employee before they left. Is this considered rude? Am I likely to get a meaningful answer or simply a generic answer to avoid the question?
interviewing professionalism
edited Sep 14 '13 at 12:03
Rhys
5,73623558
asked Jan 21 '13 at 14:20
CincinnatiProgrammer
2,75792862
add a comment |Â
up vote
71
down vote
favorite
In an interview is it okay to ask the interviewer why the previous employee left the position or was fired from the position I am applying for? I would like to understand why someone would have quit a job or been fired to better understand if the position is right for me. Many companies these days do exit interviews so they probably got an answer from the last employee before they left. Is this considered rude? Am I likely to get a meaningful answer or simply a generic answer to avoid the question?
interviewing professionalism
edited Sep 14 '13 at 12:03
Rhys
5,73623558
asked Jan 21 '13 at 14:20
CincinnatiProgrammer
2,75792862
28
Be careful on phrasing the question. If you ask it like, "Why did the last guy leave?" that may not go over as well as, "What were the circumstances that caused this opportunity to be created?" or something like that.
– JB King
Jan 21 '13 at 16:11
49
I can just imagine phrasing this type of question to a single girl that I might want to ask out on a date: "describe the circumstances that caused you to be single".
– Evik James
Jan 21 '13 at 18:53
10
@EvikJames - possible answer: "Birth"
– Nathan Long
Jan 21 '13 at 21:39
I would totally still use the "Why did the last guy leave?" over the other sentance, If I can't communicate with my next employer like equals then that's not a job for me. I keep getting the feeling more and more that the professional US culture is really different from mine.
– Mathijs Segers
Dec 29 '17 at 10:07
add a comment |Â
up vote
71
down vote
favorite
up vote
71
down vote
favorite
In an interview is it okay to ask the interviewer why the previous employee left the position or was fired from the position I am applying for? I would like to understand why someone would have quit a job or been fired to better understand if the position is right for me. Many companies these days do exit interviews so they probably got an answer from the last employee before they left. Is this considered rude? Am I likely to get a meaningful answer or simply a generic answer to avoid the question?
interviewing professionalism
edited Sep 14 '13 at 12:03
Rhys
5,73623558
asked Jan 21 '13 at 14:20
CincinnatiProgrammer
2,75792862
In an interview is it okay to ask the interviewer why the previous employee left the position or was fired from the position I am applying for? I would like to understand why someone would have quit a job or been fired to better understand if the position is right for me. Many companies these days do exit interviews so they probably got an answer from the last employee before they left. Is this considered rude? Am I likely to get a meaningful answer or simply a generic answer to avoid the question?
interviewing professionalism
edited Sep 14 '13 at 12:03
Rhys
5,73623558
asked Jan 21 '13 at 14:20
CincinnatiProgrammer
2,75792862
edited Sep 14 '13 at 12:03
Rhys
5,73623558
edited Sep 14 '13 at 12:03
Rhys
5,73623558
edited Sep 14 '13 at 12:03
Rhys
5,73623558
5,73623558
asked Jan 21 '13 at 14:20
CincinnatiProgrammer
2,75792862
asked Jan 21 '13 at 14:20
CincinnatiProgrammer
2,75792862
asked Jan 21 '13 at 14:20
CincinnatiProgrammer
2,75792862
2,75792862
28
Be careful on phrasing the question. If you ask it like, "Why did the last guy leave?" that may not go over as well as, "What were the circumstances that caused this opportunity to be created?" or something like that.
– JB King
Jan 21 '13 at 16:11
49
I can just imagine phrasing this type of question to a single girl that I might want to ask out on a date: "describe the circumstances that caused you to be single".
– Evik James
Jan 21 '13 at 18:53
10
@EvikJames - possible answer: "Birth"
– Nathan Long
Jan 21 '13 at 21:39
I would totally still use the "Why did the last guy leave?" over the other sentance, If I can't communicate with my next employer like equals then that's not a job for me. I keep getting the feeling more and more that the professional US culture is really different from mine.
– Mathijs Segers
Dec 29 '17 at 10:07
add a comment |Â
28
Be careful on phrasing the question. If you ask it like, "Why did the last guy leave?" that may not go over as well as, "What were the circumstances that caused this opportunity to be created?" or something like that.
– JB King
Jan 21 '13 at 16:11
49
I can just imagine phrasing this type of question to a single girl that I might want to ask out on a date: "describe the circumstances that caused you to be single".
– Evik James
Jan 21 '13 at 18:53
10
@EvikJames - possible answer: "Birth"
– Nathan Long
Jan 21 '13 at 21:39
I would totally still use the "Why did the last guy leave?" over the other sentance, If I can't communicate with my next employer like equals then that's not a job for me. I keep getting the feeling more and more that the professional US culture is really different from mine.
– Mathijs Segers
Dec 29 '17 at 10:07
28
28
Be careful on phrasing the question. If you ask it like, "Why did the last guy leave?" that may not go over as well as, "What were the circumstances that caused this opportunity to be created?" or something like that.
– JB King
Jan 21 '13 at 16:11
Be careful on phrasing the question. If you ask it like, "Why did the last guy leave?" that may not go over as well as, "What were the circumstances that caused this opportunity to be created?" or something like that.
– JB King
Jan 21 '13 at 16:11
49
49
I can just imagine phrasing this type of question to a single girl that I might want to ask out on a date: "describe the circumstances that caused you to be single".
– Evik James
Jan 21 '13 at 18:53
I can just imagine phrasing this type of question to a single girl that I might want to ask out on a date: "describe the circumstances that caused you to be single".
– Evik James
Jan 21 '13 at 18:53
10
10
@EvikJames - possible answer: "Birth"
– Nathan Long
Jan 21 '13 at 21:39
@EvikJames - possible answer: "Birth"
– Nathan Long
Jan 21 '13 at 21:39
I would totally still use the "Why did the last guy leave?" over the other sentance, If I can't communicate with my next employer like equals then that's not a job for me. I keep getting the feeling more and more that the professional US culture is really different from mine.
– Mathijs Segers
Dec 29 '17 at 10:07
I would totally still use the "Why did the last guy leave?" over the other sentance, If I can't communicate with my next employer like equals then that's not a job for me. I keep getting the feeling more and more that the professional US culture is really different from mine.
– Mathijs Segers
Dec 29 '17 at 10:07
add a comment |Â
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
up vote
102
down vote
accepted
I have both asked and been asked that type of question without apparent harm. (I've gotten offers after asking.) However, your phrasing is problematic; the better way to ask the question is "why is this position vacant?", which covers two cases you haven't considered in your question: (a) it's a new position, and (b) the previous person was promoted. Don't assume that something bad happened; it makes you look like you're jumping to the worst interpretation, which might give an interviewer pause.
If you learn that the previous person did in fact quit or get fired, I recommend against asking why. You don't want to make the interview about that other guy but about you. (You're also unlikely to get a useful answer; they don't want to talk about that other guy either.) But be more alert for clues about culture, unreasonable expectations, etc, and use your questions to dig into whatever aspects of the job you're most concerned about.
answered Jan 21 '13 at 15:43
Monica Cellio♦
43.7k17114191
15
My experience is similar. I have asked and answered 'Is this a new position or am I replacing someone?' That usually elicits whatever information they are willing to share. Hint: The best time to ask this kind of question is when you are interviewed by a potential peer, rather than a manager or HR type.
– Jim In Texas
Jan 21 '13 at 17:20
3
What happens in the case that the interviewer responds "The previous employee was let go from the company"? How would, and should, you appropriately ask "why"?
– Jeff
Jan 21 '13 at 17:44
10
@Jeff Most likely they're going to be vague about that, esp. if it was for personal or conduct reasons. However you can specifically ask if it was "job-related" reasons -- I was told once that the previous employee was fired because he did not want to travel for business, which was good because I did not want to travel either and that was the first time it had come up :)
– KutuluMike
Jan 21 '13 at 18:16
1
The best way to get around the "why" is to ask a different question: what characteristics are you looking for that will make your next employee excel in this position?
– thursdaysgeek
Jan 21 '13 at 23:04
1
A thought - keep in mind that exit interviews and answers on why the job is vacant may have a biased slant. Exit interviews are rarely perfectly accurate and in the case of a firing, the history is written by the victor. I'm not saying don't ask (much the opposite!) but pointing out that you need to consider the answer in light of the answer-provider.
– bethlakshmi
Jan 22 '13 at 16:30
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
19
down vote
There is nothing wrong with asking an interviewer why the previous employee left or was fired. In some cases, you may get the actual story. However, you should treat the answer the same way you would treat the answer you get from someone you're dating when you ask them why their previous relationship ended. You're only going to get their side of the story. If they were the reason their previous relationship ended, you'll likely not get the complete truth. "We discovered it wasn't a good fit." "They decided to seek other opportunities." "They had a change in their personal life which necessitated a shift in their career direction." Sometimes they will slip up and reveal something unintended, which is why the question should be asked, but don't expect the full story.
answered Jan 21 '13 at 14:34
Neil T.
5,01711826
1
Also they may well decline to answer, for real or pretend reasons of privacy.
– DJClayworth
Jan 21 '13 at 14:54
In addition, there will probably not be any lies, since HR realizes that the new hire will figure this out when talking to the staff.
– Petter Nordlander
Jan 21 '13 at 16:43
3
@Petter HR lies all the time, talking to the staff doesn't change that. Consider almost all developer job ads are actually for maintenance developers, yet almost no job ads say that is what they are for.
– Chris Pitman
Jan 21 '13 at 19:46
@ChrisPitman Perhaps, but there is a difference between lying and not saying the full truth. Saying only what needs to be said and avoiding details likely to cause problems tends to be a large portion of the jobs of HR, lawyers, politicians, sales people, customer service, and really just about anyone that deals with people on a regular basis as clients.
– AJ Henderson
Jan 21 '13 at 20:10
Not necessarily. Sometimes a relationship ending is the only thing that can finally spark productive change.
– Erik Reppen
Jan 22 '13 at 4:35
add a comment |Â
up vote
-1
down vote
Before ask this question, I would ask my self what the person would answer to me. In that way, you may able to phrase the question in a different way according to that person. Do not make any inquiry without knowing possible answers in the interview place. Don't expect them to say to you that - 'We gave him hard time, so he quit, now you are next !!'
answered Jan 25 '13 at 18:58
AbuTaareq
11
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3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
102
down vote
accepted
I have both asked and been asked that type of question without apparent harm. (I've gotten offers after asking.) However, your phrasing is problematic; the better way to ask the question is "why is this position vacant?", which covers two cases you haven't considered in your question: (a) it's a new position, and (b) the previous person was promoted. Don't assume that something bad happened; it makes you look like you're jumping to the worst interpretation, which might give an interviewer pause.
If you learn that the previous person did in fact quit or get fired, I recommend against asking why. You don't want to make the interview about that other guy but about you. (You're also unlikely to get a useful answer; they don't want to talk about that other guy either.) But be more alert for clues about culture, unreasonable expectations, etc, and use your questions to dig into whatever aspects of the job you're most concerned about.
answered Jan 21 '13 at 15:43
Monica Cellio♦
43.7k17114191
15
My experience is similar. I have asked and answered 'Is this a new position or am I replacing someone?' That usually elicits whatever information they are willing to share. Hint: The best time to ask this kind of question is when you are interviewed by a potential peer, rather than a manager or HR type.
– Jim In Texas
Jan 21 '13 at 17:20
3
What happens in the case that the interviewer responds "The previous employee was let go from the company"? How would, and should, you appropriately ask "why"?
– Jeff
Jan 21 '13 at 17:44
10
@Jeff Most likely they're going to be vague about that, esp. if it was for personal or conduct reasons. However you can specifically ask if it was "job-related" reasons -- I was told once that the previous employee was fired because he did not want to travel for business, which was good because I did not want to travel either and that was the first time it had come up :)
– KutuluMike
Jan 21 '13 at 18:16
1
The best way to get around the "why" is to ask a different question: what characteristics are you looking for that will make your next employee excel in this position?
– thursdaysgeek
Jan 21 '13 at 23:04
1
A thought - keep in mind that exit interviews and answers on why the job is vacant may have a biased slant. Exit interviews are rarely perfectly accurate and in the case of a firing, the history is written by the victor. I'm not saying don't ask (much the opposite!) but pointing out that you need to consider the answer in light of the answer-provider.
– bethlakshmi
Jan 22 '13 at 16:30
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
102
down vote
accepted
I have both asked and been asked that type of question without apparent harm. (I've gotten offers after asking.) However, your phrasing is problematic; the better way to ask the question is "why is this position vacant?", which covers two cases you haven't considered in your question: (a) it's a new position, and (b) the previous person was promoted. Don't assume that something bad happened; it makes you look like you're jumping to the worst interpretation, which might give an interviewer pause.
If you learn that the previous person did in fact quit or get fired, I recommend against asking why. You don't want to make the interview about that other guy but about you. (You're also unlikely to get a useful answer; they don't want to talk about that other guy either.) But be more alert for clues about culture, unreasonable expectations, etc, and use your questions to dig into whatever aspects of the job you're most concerned about.
answered Jan 21 '13 at 15:43
Monica Cellio♦
43.7k17114191
15
My experience is similar. I have asked and answered 'Is this a new position or am I replacing someone?' That usually elicits whatever information they are willing to share. Hint: The best time to ask this kind of question is when you are interviewed by a potential peer, rather than a manager or HR type.
– Jim In Texas
Jan 21 '13 at 17:20
3
What happens in the case that the interviewer responds "The previous employee was let go from the company"? How would, and should, you appropriately ask "why"?
– Jeff
Jan 21 '13 at 17:44
10
@Jeff Most likely they're going to be vague about that, esp. if it was for personal or conduct reasons. However you can specifically ask if it was "job-related" reasons -- I was told once that the previous employee was fired because he did not want to travel for business, which was good because I did not want to travel either and that was the first time it had come up :)
– KutuluMike
Jan 21 '13 at 18:16
1
The best way to get around the "why" is to ask a different question: what characteristics are you looking for that will make your next employee excel in this position?
– thursdaysgeek
Jan 21 '13 at 23:04
1
A thought - keep in mind that exit interviews and answers on why the job is vacant may have a biased slant. Exit interviews are rarely perfectly accurate and in the case of a firing, the history is written by the victor. I'm not saying don't ask (much the opposite!) but pointing out that you need to consider the answer in light of the answer-provider.
– bethlakshmi
Jan 22 '13 at 16:30
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
102
down vote
accepted
up vote
102
down vote
accepted
I have both asked and been asked that type of question without apparent harm. (I've gotten offers after asking.) However, your phrasing is problematic; the better way to ask the question is "why is this position vacant?", which covers two cases you haven't considered in your question: (a) it's a new position, and (b) the previous person was promoted. Don't assume that something bad happened; it makes you look like you're jumping to the worst interpretation, which might give an interviewer pause.
If you learn that the previous person did in fact quit or get fired, I recommend against asking why. You don't want to make the interview about that other guy but about you. (You're also unlikely to get a useful answer; they don't want to talk about that other guy either.) But be more alert for clues about culture, unreasonable expectations, etc, and use your questions to dig into whatever aspects of the job you're most concerned about.
answered Jan 21 '13 at 15:43
Monica Cellio♦
43.7k17114191
I have both asked and been asked that type of question without apparent harm. (I've gotten offers after asking.) However, your phrasing is problematic; the better way to ask the question is "why is this position vacant?", which covers two cases you haven't considered in your question: (a) it's a new position, and (b) the previous person was promoted. Don't assume that something bad happened; it makes you look like you're jumping to the worst interpretation, which might give an interviewer pause.
If you learn that the previous person did in fact quit or get fired, I recommend against asking why. You don't want to make the interview about that other guy but about you. (You're also unlikely to get a useful answer; they don't want to talk about that other guy either.) But be more alert for clues about culture, unreasonable expectations, etc, and use your questions to dig into whatever aspects of the job you're most concerned about.
answered Jan 21 '13 at 15:43
Monica Cellio♦
43.7k17114191
edited Dec 27 '17 at 17:18
answered Jan 21 '13 at 15:43
Monica Cellio♦
43.7k17114191
answered Jan 21 '13 at 15:43
Monica Cellio♦
43.7k17114191
answered Jan 21 '13 at 15:43
Monica Cellio♦
43.7k17114191
43.7k17114191
15
My experience is similar. I have asked and answered 'Is this a new position or am I replacing someone?' That usually elicits whatever information they are willing to share. Hint: The best time to ask this kind of question is when you are interviewed by a potential peer, rather than a manager or HR type.
– Jim In Texas
Jan 21 '13 at 17:20
3
What happens in the case that the interviewer responds "The previous employee was let go from the company"? How would, and should, you appropriately ask "why"?
– Jeff
Jan 21 '13 at 17:44
10
@Jeff Most likely they're going to be vague about that, esp. if it was for personal or conduct reasons. However you can specifically ask if it was "job-related" reasons -- I was told once that the previous employee was fired because he did not want to travel for business, which was good because I did not want to travel either and that was the first time it had come up :)
– KutuluMike
Jan 21 '13 at 18:16
1
The best way to get around the "why" is to ask a different question: what characteristics are you looking for that will make your next employee excel in this position?
– thursdaysgeek
Jan 21 '13 at 23:04
1
A thought - keep in mind that exit interviews and answers on why the job is vacant may have a biased slant. Exit interviews are rarely perfectly accurate and in the case of a firing, the history is written by the victor. I'm not saying don't ask (much the opposite!) but pointing out that you need to consider the answer in light of the answer-provider.
– bethlakshmi
Jan 22 '13 at 16:30
 |Â
show 1 more comment
15
My experience is similar. I have asked and answered 'Is this a new position or am I replacing someone?' That usually elicits whatever information they are willing to share. Hint: The best time to ask this kind of question is when you are interviewed by a potential peer, rather than a manager or HR type.
– Jim In Texas
Jan 21 '13 at 17:20
3
What happens in the case that the interviewer responds "The previous employee was let go from the company"? How would, and should, you appropriately ask "why"?
– Jeff
Jan 21 '13 at 17:44
10
@Jeff Most likely they're going to be vague about that, esp. if it was for personal or conduct reasons. However you can specifically ask if it was "job-related" reasons -- I was told once that the previous employee was fired because he did not want to travel for business, which was good because I did not want to travel either and that was the first time it had come up :)
– KutuluMike
Jan 21 '13 at 18:16
1
The best way to get around the "why" is to ask a different question: what characteristics are you looking for that will make your next employee excel in this position?
– thursdaysgeek
Jan 21 '13 at 23:04
1
A thought - keep in mind that exit interviews and answers on why the job is vacant may have a biased slant. Exit interviews are rarely perfectly accurate and in the case of a firing, the history is written by the victor. I'm not saying don't ask (much the opposite!) but pointing out that you need to consider the answer in light of the answer-provider.
– bethlakshmi
Jan 22 '13 at 16:30
15
15
My experience is similar. I have asked and answered 'Is this a new position or am I replacing someone?' That usually elicits whatever information they are willing to share. Hint: The best time to ask this kind of question is when you are interviewed by a potential peer, rather than a manager or HR type.
– Jim In Texas
Jan 21 '13 at 17:20
My experience is similar. I have asked and answered 'Is this a new position or am I replacing someone?' That usually elicits whatever information they are willing to share. Hint: The best time to ask this kind of question is when you are interviewed by a potential peer, rather than a manager or HR type.
– Jim In Texas
Jan 21 '13 at 17:20
3
3
What happens in the case that the interviewer responds "The previous employee was let go from the company"? How would, and should, you appropriately ask "why"?
– Jeff
Jan 21 '13 at 17:44
What happens in the case that the interviewer responds "The previous employee was let go from the company"? How would, and should, you appropriately ask "why"?
– Jeff
Jan 21 '13 at 17:44
10
10
@Jeff Most likely they're going to be vague about that, esp. if it was for personal or conduct reasons. However you can specifically ask if it was "job-related" reasons -- I was told once that the previous employee was fired because he did not want to travel for business, which was good because I did not want to travel either and that was the first time it had come up :)
– KutuluMike
Jan 21 '13 at 18:16
@Jeff Most likely they're going to be vague about that, esp. if it was for personal or conduct reasons. However you can specifically ask if it was "job-related" reasons -- I was told once that the previous employee was fired because he did not want to travel for business, which was good because I did not want to travel either and that was the first time it had come up :)
– KutuluMike
Jan 21 '13 at 18:16
1
1
The best way to get around the "why" is to ask a different question: what characteristics are you looking for that will make your next employee excel in this position?
– thursdaysgeek
Jan 21 '13 at 23:04
The best way to get around the "why" is to ask a different question: what characteristics are you looking for that will make your next employee excel in this position?
– thursdaysgeek
Jan 21 '13 at 23:04
1
1
A thought - keep in mind that exit interviews and answers on why the job is vacant may have a biased slant. Exit interviews are rarely perfectly accurate and in the case of a firing, the history is written by the victor. I'm not saying don't ask (much the opposite!) but pointing out that you need to consider the answer in light of the answer-provider.
– bethlakshmi
Jan 22 '13 at 16:30
A thought - keep in mind that exit interviews and answers on why the job is vacant may have a biased slant. Exit interviews are rarely perfectly accurate and in the case of a firing, the history is written by the victor. I'm not saying don't ask (much the opposite!) but pointing out that you need to consider the answer in light of the answer-provider.
– bethlakshmi
Jan 22 '13 at 16:30
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
19
down vote
There is nothing wrong with asking an interviewer why the previous employee left or was fired. In some cases, you may get the actual story. However, you should treat the answer the same way you would treat the answer you get from someone you're dating when you ask them why their previous relationship ended. You're only going to get their side of the story. If they were the reason their previous relationship ended, you'll likely not get the complete truth. "We discovered it wasn't a good fit." "They decided to seek other opportunities." "They had a change in their personal life which necessitated a shift in their career direction." Sometimes they will slip up and reveal something unintended, which is why the question should be asked, but don't expect the full story.
answered Jan 21 '13 at 14:34
Neil T.
5,01711826
1
Also they may well decline to answer, for real or pretend reasons of privacy.
– DJClayworth
Jan 21 '13 at 14:54
In addition, there will probably not be any lies, since HR realizes that the new hire will figure this out when talking to the staff.
– Petter Nordlander
Jan 21 '13 at 16:43
3
@Petter HR lies all the time, talking to the staff doesn't change that. Consider almost all developer job ads are actually for maintenance developers, yet almost no job ads say that is what they are for.
– Chris Pitman
Jan 21 '13 at 19:46
@ChrisPitman Perhaps, but there is a difference between lying and not saying the full truth. Saying only what needs to be said and avoiding details likely to cause problems tends to be a large portion of the jobs of HR, lawyers, politicians, sales people, customer service, and really just about anyone that deals with people on a regular basis as clients.
– AJ Henderson
Jan 21 '13 at 20:10
Not necessarily. Sometimes a relationship ending is the only thing that can finally spark productive change.
– Erik Reppen
Jan 22 '13 at 4:35
add a comment |Â
up vote
19
down vote
There is nothing wrong with asking an interviewer why the previous employee left or was fired. In some cases, you may get the actual story. However, you should treat the answer the same way you would treat the answer you get from someone you're dating when you ask them why their previous relationship ended. You're only going to get their side of the story. If they were the reason their previous relationship ended, you'll likely not get the complete truth. "We discovered it wasn't a good fit." "They decided to seek other opportunities." "They had a change in their personal life which necessitated a shift in their career direction." Sometimes they will slip up and reveal something unintended, which is why the question should be asked, but don't expect the full story.
answered Jan 21 '13 at 14:34
Neil T.
5,01711826
1
Also they may well decline to answer, for real or pretend reasons of privacy.
– DJClayworth
Jan 21 '13 at 14:54
In addition, there will probably not be any lies, since HR realizes that the new hire will figure this out when talking to the staff.
– Petter Nordlander
Jan 21 '13 at 16:43
3
@Petter HR lies all the time, talking to the staff doesn't change that. Consider almost all developer job ads are actually for maintenance developers, yet almost no job ads say that is what they are for.
– Chris Pitman
Jan 21 '13 at 19:46
@ChrisPitman Perhaps, but there is a difference between lying and not saying the full truth. Saying only what needs to be said and avoiding details likely to cause problems tends to be a large portion of the jobs of HR, lawyers, politicians, sales people, customer service, and really just about anyone that deals with people on a regular basis as clients.
– AJ Henderson
Jan 21 '13 at 20:10
Not necessarily. Sometimes a relationship ending is the only thing that can finally spark productive change.
– Erik Reppen
Jan 22 '13 at 4:35
add a comment |Â
up vote
19
down vote
up vote
19
down vote
There is nothing wrong with asking an interviewer why the previous employee left or was fired. In some cases, you may get the actual story. However, you should treat the answer the same way you would treat the answer you get from someone you're dating when you ask them why their previous relationship ended. You're only going to get their side of the story. If they were the reason their previous relationship ended, you'll likely not get the complete truth. "We discovered it wasn't a good fit." "They decided to seek other opportunities." "They had a change in their personal life which necessitated a shift in their career direction." Sometimes they will slip up and reveal something unintended, which is why the question should be asked, but don't expect the full story.
answered Jan 21 '13 at 14:34
Neil T.
5,01711826
There is nothing wrong with asking an interviewer why the previous employee left or was fired. In some cases, you may get the actual story. However, you should treat the answer the same way you would treat the answer you get from someone you're dating when you ask them why their previous relationship ended. You're only going to get their side of the story. If they were the reason their previous relationship ended, you'll likely not get the complete truth. "We discovered it wasn't a good fit." "They decided to seek other opportunities." "They had a change in their personal life which necessitated a shift in their career direction." Sometimes they will slip up and reveal something unintended, which is why the question should be asked, but don't expect the full story.
answered Jan 21 '13 at 14:34
Neil T.
5,01711826
answered Jan 21 '13 at 14:34
Neil T.
5,01711826
answered Jan 21 '13 at 14:34
Neil T.
5,01711826
answered Jan 21 '13 at 14:34
Neil T.
5,01711826
5,01711826
1
Also they may well decline to answer, for real or pretend reasons of privacy.
– DJClayworth
Jan 21 '13 at 14:54
In addition, there will probably not be any lies, since HR realizes that the new hire will figure this out when talking to the staff.
– Petter Nordlander
Jan 21 '13 at 16:43
3
@Petter HR lies all the time, talking to the staff doesn't change that. Consider almost all developer job ads are actually for maintenance developers, yet almost no job ads say that is what they are for.
– Chris Pitman
Jan 21 '13 at 19:46
@ChrisPitman Perhaps, but there is a difference between lying and not saying the full truth. Saying only what needs to be said and avoiding details likely to cause problems tends to be a large portion of the jobs of HR, lawyers, politicians, sales people, customer service, and really just about anyone that deals with people on a regular basis as clients.
– AJ Henderson
Jan 21 '13 at 20:10
Not necessarily. Sometimes a relationship ending is the only thing that can finally spark productive change.
– Erik Reppen
Jan 22 '13 at 4:35
add a comment |Â
1
Also they may well decline to answer, for real or pretend reasons of privacy.
– DJClayworth
Jan 21 '13 at 14:54
In addition, there will probably not be any lies, since HR realizes that the new hire will figure this out when talking to the staff.
– Petter Nordlander
Jan 21 '13 at 16:43
3
@Petter HR lies all the time, talking to the staff doesn't change that. Consider almost all developer job ads are actually for maintenance developers, yet almost no job ads say that is what they are for.
– Chris Pitman
Jan 21 '13 at 19:46
@ChrisPitman Perhaps, but there is a difference between lying and not saying the full truth. Saying only what needs to be said and avoiding details likely to cause problems tends to be a large portion of the jobs of HR, lawyers, politicians, sales people, customer service, and really just about anyone that deals with people on a regular basis as clients.
– AJ Henderson
Jan 21 '13 at 20:10
Not necessarily. Sometimes a relationship ending is the only thing that can finally spark productive change.
– Erik Reppen
Jan 22 '13 at 4:35
1
1
Also they may well decline to answer, for real or pretend reasons of privacy.
– DJClayworth
Jan 21 '13 at 14:54
Also they may well decline to answer, for real or pretend reasons of privacy.
– DJClayworth
Jan 21 '13 at 14:54
In addition, there will probably not be any lies, since HR realizes that the new hire will figure this out when talking to the staff.
– Petter Nordlander
Jan 21 '13 at 16:43
In addition, there will probably not be any lies, since HR realizes that the new hire will figure this out when talking to the staff.
– Petter Nordlander
Jan 21 '13 at 16:43
3
3
@Petter HR lies all the time, talking to the staff doesn't change that. Consider almost all developer job ads are actually for maintenance developers, yet almost no job ads say that is what they are for.
– Chris Pitman
Jan 21 '13 at 19:46
@Petter HR lies all the time, talking to the staff doesn't change that. Consider almost all developer job ads are actually for maintenance developers, yet almost no job ads say that is what they are for.
– Chris Pitman
Jan 21 '13 at 19:46
@ChrisPitman Perhaps, but there is a difference between lying and not saying the full truth. Saying only what needs to be said and avoiding details likely to cause problems tends to be a large portion of the jobs of HR, lawyers, politicians, sales people, customer service, and really just about anyone that deals with people on a regular basis as clients.
– AJ Henderson
Jan 21 '13 at 20:10
@ChrisPitman Perhaps, but there is a difference between lying and not saying the full truth. Saying only what needs to be said and avoiding details likely to cause problems tends to be a large portion of the jobs of HR, lawyers, politicians, sales people, customer service, and really just about anyone that deals with people on a regular basis as clients.
– AJ Henderson
Jan 21 '13 at 20:10
Not necessarily. Sometimes a relationship ending is the only thing that can finally spark productive change.
– Erik Reppen
Jan 22 '13 at 4:35
Not necessarily. Sometimes a relationship ending is the only thing that can finally spark productive change.
– Erik Reppen
Jan 22 '13 at 4:35
add a comment |Â
up vote
-1
down vote
Before ask this question, I would ask my self what the person would answer to me. In that way, you may able to phrase the question in a different way according to that person. Do not make any inquiry without knowing possible answers in the interview place. Don't expect them to say to you that - 'We gave him hard time, so he quit, now you are next !!'
answered Jan 25 '13 at 18:58
AbuTaareq
11
add a comment |Â
up vote
-1
down vote
Before ask this question, I would ask my self what the person would answer to me. In that way, you may able to phrase the question in a different way according to that person. Do not make any inquiry without knowing possible answers in the interview place. Don't expect them to say to you that - 'We gave him hard time, so he quit, now you are next !!'
answered Jan 25 '13 at 18:58
AbuTaareq
11
add a comment |Â
up vote
-1
down vote
up vote
-1
down vote
Before ask this question, I would ask my self what the person would answer to me. In that way, you may able to phrase the question in a different way according to that person. Do not make any inquiry without knowing possible answers in the interview place. Don't expect them to say to you that - 'We gave him hard time, so he quit, now you are next !!'
answered Jan 25 '13 at 18:58
AbuTaareq
11
Before ask this question, I would ask my self what the person would answer to me. In that way, you may able to phrase the question in a different way according to that person. Do not make any inquiry without knowing possible answers in the interview place. Don't expect them to say to you that - 'We gave him hard time, so he quit, now you are next !!'
answered Jan 25 '13 at 18:58
AbuTaareq
11
answered Jan 25 '13 at 18:58
AbuTaareq
11
answered Jan 25 '13 at 18:58
AbuTaareq
11
answered Jan 25 '13 at 18:58
AbuTaareq
11
11
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
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28
Be careful on phrasing the question. If you ask it like, "Why did the last guy leave?" that may not go over as well as, "What were the circumstances that caused this opportunity to be created?" or something like that.
– JB King
Jan 21 '13 at 16:11
49
I can just imagine phrasing this type of question to a single girl that I might want to ask out on a date: "describe the circumstances that caused you to be single".
– Evik James
Jan 21 '13 at 18:53
10
@EvikJames - possible answer: "Birth"
– Nathan Long
Jan 21 '13 at 21:39
I would totally still use the "Why did the last guy leave?" over the other sentance, If I can't communicate with my next employer like equals then that's not a job for me. I keep getting the feeling more and more that the professional US culture is really different from mine.
– Mathijs Segers
Dec 29 '17 at 10:07