Ask Amanda #6: My new company is not what I thought it was

Ask Amanda is an advice column for you to anonymously submit questions about the soft skills and hard topics you need to master as a go-to-market leader.

Amanda, 
I am looking for a new job after being in my current role for 2 months. How do I explain that my current company is not doing well? I worry this will come across as negative. How do I turn it into a positive?

Signed,
Short Timer

Dear Short Timer,
It happens all the time; once you're inside, you realize the company doesn’t live up to what was presented in the interview process. (This goes both ways, of course. Sometimes, employees don’t live up to what was presented in the interview process.) 

As you search and interview for your next role, leave it out of the conversation. You don’t need to explain that they’re not doing well; this could be your motivation to leave the job, but you don’t have to say it is.

But if you are asked directly, keep your answer respectful, simple, and light: “It’s not the best cultural fit. After careful consideration, I realized the position is not aligned with my aspirations and values.”  At this point, you can move on or turn it into a positive by sharing what you’ve learned from the experience. As an example, “I learned a lot about the transactional business model and daily revenue goals, and I respect the intentions of a fast-paced environment. I now understand how product-market fit impacts bottom-line results.”  

This is not something that will hurt your career or your future. You will persevere and be better for the learning opportunity. 

- Amanda

Amanda regrets she cannot reply to questions individually. By submitting your questions to Ask Amanda, you agree to have them published anonymously on Pavilion’s Blog.