Never, under any circumstances have a negative word to say about a former employer, employee, leader, workplace culture, or government during the interview process.
There is no exception.
There is a difference between explaining a negative situation that took place and having an opinion about it. Too many of us express our opinion without a proper professional filter.
A Coach’s Critique
Doc Rivers’ career in professional basketball has been something to be proud of. However, his recent words about Giannis Antetokounmpo will unfortunately smear what was already a frustrating end to his coaching career.
His words circulated immediately, becoming instant fodder for sports commentary. Most of it condemned his take on the superstar.
While some consider his words a constructive assessment, context and timing are everything. Doc’s tenure with the franchise was a disappointment, culminating in his resignation.
Highlighting what (or who) contributed to the failure was the easy path to take. The road less traveled is the high road where only positive things are said about the people & situation.
The Bigger Picture: What an Interviewer Actually Hears
- No star talent is “easy to coach.” Depicting a superstar as a difficult player simply highlights a lack of authority and influence in your environment.
- Mentioning low basketball IQ highlights your weakness in teaching or helping team members overcome their shortcomings.
Perhaps the narrative around this topic would be different if the team finished with a winning record and a championship under Doc’s tenure as coach.
Unfortunately, that was not the case.
My View as a Search Partner
I have never been left with a positive impression of a candidate who badmouthed a previous employer.
Why? For two reasons:
- Missing Perspective: You are airing out your side, and your explanation lacks balance
- Lack of Accountability: You are conveying that you do not take personal ownership for failure
Conversely, decision makers who are habitual fault-finders raise an immediate red flag with me.
How to Spin the Narrative (The Script)
Here is how to answer a tough question in a way that paints you as an asset, not a liability.
The Question: Why was your last position only 3 months?
The underlying issue: a lack of leadership direction and a disorganized environment with a lack of sufficient training
The Answer: “I was brought on during a hiring blitz, and the company faced clear challenges onboarding everyone quickly. I realized early on that without structured training, I wouldn’t be able to reach my personal goals or help the company hit theirs in the short term. Rather than add strain to an already challenging situation, I decided it was best to step aside so they could focus their limited resources where they needed them most.”
Emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and empathy are the most important attributes to convey during the interview process.
Your words become your reality, and speaking negatively will only lead to a negative outcome (i.e., not being hired).
Taking the positive route has never hindered anyone.
What’s your take? Have you ever struggled to pivot away from a negative past employer in an interview?