'Saving [that] sinking ship was impossible': 30+ ways to professionally explain why you 'jumped ship' so quickly at your last job during an interview

Author image for Elna McHilderson
Elna McHilderson • Managing Editor
Jan 15, 2024 8:00 PM EST

Well, it's happened. You have probably read about it countless times online, but never thought it would happen to you. It turns out the job you just started working for was not at all how they said it would be. In fact, it's a total dumpster fire and the job description you discussed during your interview is basically non-existent. So what do you do? You can either quit in a fury, dock the job from your resume, and hope the bridges you burned on your way out don't come back to haunt you. Or you can stick it out until you find a new job. But that brings up another issue: What do you tell the places you're interviewing for why you jumped or are jumping ship so quickly after being hired? 

Well, the internet taketh and giveth, because here we have an A+ thread of people advising on how to handle that exact situation. Now you know how to say that you had to "dump that dumpster fire job as fast as possible" in the most professional way. Get that job you deserve, baby! If you like work drama, check this story out about a woodwork shop employee getting revenge after being unjustly fired.

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  • 01
    THIS IS FINE CANADA 236-3891 DO NOT PARK A CAUTION BFI CANADA 236-38913 ACAUTION S
    via Wikimedia Commons
  • 02
    Is there a polite way to say "I'm jumping ship at my new job because it's a total frickin nightmare"?
    via u/Progress-247
  • 03
    I recently began at a new company in a middle management position (within the last two months). During that time, I've come to realize that the position was sorely misrepresented during the interview process, and that the problems I'm supposed to solve are so deeply ingrained into the company culture that saving the sinking ship is impossible.
    via u/Progress-247
  • 04
    I've been invited to interview at a different company next week, and I know I'll have to have the "You just started a new job, and you're already looking for something else?" conversation. They already know I have this job and asked for an interview, anyway, so there's no "I just took a break for personal reasons" kind of answer.
    via u/Progress-247
  • 05
    I can't really figure out a good answer. There's the "The job I'm doing isn't the job that was advertised" angle, as well as the "In order to a good job, I need proper support from my management, which has been demonstrated I won't receive" angle. And don't even
    via u/Progress-247
  • 06
    start me on my lack of training and onboarding..... It's been weeks and I still don't even have a badge to buzz me in the door. Still don't have access to about half of our sales and development software platforms.
    via u/Progress-247
  • 07
    I desperately want to jump ship, as the writing is on the wall at my current company, but I just have no idea what to say to help me jump to a (even slightly) more stable ship. I'd appreciate any advice.
    via u/Progress-247
  • 08
    Tight_Brohole 17 hr. ago I would only bring it up if they do. I'd let the next company know that the position you accepted isn't going to allow you to reach your future goals that this NEW opportunity will.
    via u/Tight_Brohole
  • 09
    I'd leave it at that. Be conversational and express how future oriented you are. At the end of the interview make sure you only ask future oriented questions to put it in the interviewers head that you will be there a long time. When they say do you have any questions:
    via u/Tight_Brohole
  • 10
    Ask them what their goals are for the next 3 years. Ask them if you were offered the position and accepted it, what would be something the first week that would surprise you.
    via u/Tight_Brohole
  • 11
    Ask my favorite interview question: if you were hired and it was a year from today, what accomplishments would make you feel like hiring me was an enormous success? These questions make it seem like you are there for the long run and it will likely subliminally create longevity in their head despite the 2 month hell hole.
    via u/Tight_Brohole
  • 12
    Howwouldiknow1492 5 hr. ago The advice in this post is excellent. I would only add that, IF you are asked about the current job, a good response is "after I started working I could see that the job isn't a good fit for me". This is very generic but pretty well understood. And IF you get more questions about why wasn't it a good fit, stay generic and talk about future directions and general work environment.
    via u/Howwouldiknow1492
  • 13
    Relayer8782 3 hr. ago Keep it short and simple, don't throw rocks at your current employer. I'd go with something like "I think this position (the new one) is a better fit, and could offer more opportunities to contribute"
    via u/Relayer8782
  • 14
    Diligent-Variation51 25 min. ago I would say it's not a good fit, in the most professional and unemotional tone, and IMMEDIATELY follow that up with a few things you're looking for so you aren't speaking negatively about your current job, but instead stating a couple priorities. Make it a quick pivot that focuses on what you want,
    via u/Diligent-Variation51
  • 15
    not what you don't want. This gives the new company a chance to think "totally reasonable, we value that too" or "crap, we're the opposite of what they want.' Either response gives you better odds of finding a better position or avoiding a similarly bad one.
    via u/Diligent-Variation51
  • 16
    Weak Divide5562.5 hr. ago On the nose advice! OP, be careful not to "bash" your employer. That's an interview killer. Stating a negative in a positive way will give your EQ a desirably professional appeal. Sour grapes makes the interviewer uncomfortable and lessens your appeal.
    via u/Weak_Divide5562
  • 17
    photosin_thesis. 6 hr. ago I think this is great advice and you said they asked you for an interview knowing at least that you're employed. But be prepared if interviewer persists. They may welcome your future looking responses but also could find it evasive...like a politician dodging a question. So if interviewer asks a second time or seems unsatisfied I'd go with a short statement saying it isn't job I anticipated. You can be ready to explain a short example not designed to slime current empl
    via u/photosin_thesis
  • 18
    AnxiousYetAmbitious 4 hr. ago I feel like OP doesn't have to think too much about giving an answer. Just take the original commenter's answer of "This new company gives me better opportunity in X" and run with it
    via u/AnxiousYetAmbitious
  • 19
    I'm assuming that company/recruiter already saw how long OP has been at the current company and is still asking to hire them It'd be wild if the interviewer hounds OP about "why you leaving." Bruh, because you reached out to interview me? LOL
    via u/AnxiousYetAmbitious
  • 20
    DrgSlinger475. 16 hr. ago "I'm looking for a company culture that better reflects my values." This is both non- derogatory to your current company, and it offers a segue into discussion of the new company's culture.
    via u/DrgSlinger475
  • 21
    LaLechuzaVerde 12 min. ago OP - This is the answer I was hunting for to make sure I wasn't being redundant. I would suggest adding some of those values in the answer. Make sure they are honest. You might as well make it clear what your dealbreakers are so you don't get sucked into another situation that isn't workable.
    via u/LaLechuzaVerde
  • 22
    "I am looking for a long term opportunity that aligns better with my values of teamwork and transparency. I take a great deal of pride in my work and I want to go home at night knowing that I've not only done a good job, but that I've made sure my work team knows they've done a good job too."
    via u/LaLechuzaVerde
  • 23
    You know, something like that but whatever is important to YOU. Depending on the type of work you do, that may include hitting sales goals, serving your customers, or whatever other specific thing makes you wipe the sweat off your brow at the end of the day and go "wow, that was a good day!"
    via u/LaLechuzaVerde
  • 24
    sirpoopingpooper. 16 hr. ago What about taking the radical candor approach here? Something like: The position and company were radically misrepresented to me in the hiring process and I'm looking to make a change for an organization that shows the same integrity and commitment to me as I do to it.
    via u/sirpo*pingpo*per
  • 25
    Dracounicus 8 hr. ago In business analysis this is known as an enterprise environmental factor (EEF) as it is a condition over which the team has no direct control and has to be dealt as is. This specific condition has mindset and corporate culture.
    via u/Dracounicus
  • 26
    With this in mind you could say that you have "been able to discern that under the current environmental factors you will not able to optimize your value to the enterprise and are therefore exploring other venues to achieve this goal because you value impact and purpose"
    via u/Dracounicus
  • 27
    Then ask them how the position will enable them to help you achieve impact, value, and purpose within their company. If they press you, use the concept in the previous comment about "values not aligning" to reinforce the notion that you just dont feel comfortable there
    via u/Dracounicus
  • 28
    shakeyshake1.5 hr. ago I actually got my last job by telling them that I had ethical issues with my prior employer. They were fascinated because they knew my prior employer and what I told them was pretty hot gossip. I got the job.
    via u/shakeyshake1
  • 29
    I had been on something like 5 interviews before that one for jobs I wasn't thrilled about and I always said something really neutral like most people here say to do. I really wanted this particular job and I decided I'd try the brutal honesty approach. It's risky, but I guess sometimes it works. It did for me, but it's one of those things I can't recommend to other people because of the risks.
    via u/shakeyshake1
  • 30
    AggravatingNerve7436 11 hr. ago Position was a bad fit for both myself and the company. To maintain professional courtesy, I would prefer not to discuss it further.
    via u/AggravatingNerve7436
  • 31
    lacker 17 hr. ago Just be polite and vague about it. "The situation came as quite a surprise to me. I don't want to speak ill of my current employers or reveal confidential information, but the part of the organization I was hired into is undergoing extensive changes right now, and the
    via u/lacker
  • 32
    position I was hired for no longer exists. We have been discussing different possibilities but it seems like I should just be looking for a job elsewhere. It's a shame that we couldn't have figured this all out before I started, but things happen."
    via u/lacker
  • 33
    LeahBeahPhdeah. 4 hr. ago A shorter versions of this is the right answer! "By the time I started the role had morphed into something else and there isn't any way to resolve it at my current company. It's a shame we couldn't have figured this out before I started, but I am committed to finding a better fit" Then ask all those future oriented questions that were recommended.
    via u/LeahBeahPhdeah
  • 34
    Just Another_Day_926 15 hr. ago Just tell the truth. The company did not understand what they needed. They advertised, discussed, and selected someone like you to come in and do the job. You have "dug" into the challenges and realize they really did not understand the issues. They need someone with a different skillset.
    via u/Another_Day_926
  • 35
    Be ready to go into some details - your skillset and what is needed in that role. This could be a good sell on your part on your strengths or it could point out your weaknesses. I find honesty works best, especially when you want a good fit.
    via u/Another_Day_926
  • 36
    rohrloud 10 hr. ago . I was brought in to solve some specific issues but I have come to realize that there is no support for these changes at the top of the organization. This has made my position somewhat redundant so I am looking for a new position. Be sure and use those forward looking questions mentioned in another post.
    via u/rohrloud
  • 37
    Honeycrispcombe 14 hr. ago. edited 14 hr. ago "when I took the job, the responsibilities were X,Y, and Z. Unfortunately, once I started and began digging into the work, it became clear that to accomplish the goals set, the responsibilities need to shift to A, B, and C. My skill set really lies with X, Y, and Z, so I'm documenting what I can and hopefully after I leave they'll be able to hire someone whose skills better align with the re-defined scope. In my next job, I'm really looking forward t
    via u/Honeycrispcombe

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