Key words can explain leaving

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Dear Joan:
I consider myself to be an adaptable employee, and while I am not an ambitious career star, I have always received good job evaluations for being a "quick learner," "good, reliable employee," and a "team player."

However, I recently resigned from a job (I work in the field of magazine journalism) only five months after I started it. Although my supervisor gave me a good job evaluation, I felt very uncomfortable working at the company. I disagreed with the management style, which to me seemed to focus on bullying and intimidating employees. I also heard through the grapevine about several people who resigned or were fired.

My supervisor and I were not on good terms when I resigned. I am now planning to return to school for a master's degree. Eventually, however, I will be reentering the job market. How should I explain my decision to resign from my job after only five months? Should I let prospective employers contact my former supervisor? If not, what reason should I give? I read that it is a tactical error to cite a personality conflict with one's boss as a reason for leaving a job.

Although I feel resigning was the best course of action for me, I feel upset and discouraged. I think it would be helpful to talk with other people who have gone through similar situations. I would appreciate the names and addresses of any job support groups or job counseling services in the area. Thank you.

Answer:
Personality conflicts between employees and bosses are as common as marital spats. Some blow over and some end in divorce but usually nobody knows (or cares about) the details unless one of the parties tells all. In your case, future employers won't know the details about the situation unless you tell them about it...which, of course, you won't.

The fact that you are still "upset and discouraged" after resigning is a signal that this boss's intimidation was very effective. Typically, when an employee is distressed about the management style of a boss, quitting is the perfect antidote. If your boss was a beast, you're lucky to be rid of him or her.

Because your recent decision to resign was an emotional one, you may not have had enough time to put it in perspective. It's probably going to help you to go back to school and put the experience behind you.

Because you have a good work record, your career isn't in jeopardy. Employers will look at total work history not just your last job. If you don't mention the job at all, it could be discovered and you would be caught in a lie. Most interviewers will not screen you out if you mention a past personality conflict in a positive, professional way. But if you are preoccupied with it, they will be scared off.

On future job applications, when asked "reason for leaving" your past job, simply write, "returned to school." If the interviewer probes for more details as to why you only stayed on the job for five months you could say, "There were many problems between the supervisor and employees there. Although my performance review was good, I felt it was not the kind of work environment I wanted." This explanation will do two things. First, it will tell the interviewer that the problem was with everyone, not just you. Secondly, you have made it clear that your work was not the problem.

The interviewer may ask more questions about your relationship with your former boss, but don't give any details. It's appropriate to say, "I'm really reluctant to get into my former boss's management style. I'm sure he thought it was effective, but others felt it created some problems." (Notice the use of the words "he thought." This will tell the interviewer that you won't badmouth him but that you clearly disagreed with his style.) Focus your comments on the kind on boss you do like to work for rather than on the faults of your past boss.

While in school, you would be wise to find part-time work or do an internship. This will replace your last job experience with more recent job history. Getting back in the saddle again will also help you regain some confidence.

For a job reference, chose three people from former jobs- preferably former bosses. Even if "the boss from hell" is contacted, he is unlikely to say anything negative for fear of being sued or making himself look bad. I think you're going to come out a winner on this one.