Interview

[karenmac60]

I have my big interview tomorrow and I'm wondering what to say about my current boss. She hasn't done too much over the past few years and I have taken on a lot of her duties otherwise they just wouldn't have been done. I want to let the interviewers (who are also her bosses) know how much work I have been doing to show them what I'm capable of, but I don't want to come across as some arrogant so and so who thinks she can do a better job than the boss. Is it bad form to slate your current boss at an interview and if so, how can I put across what I want to say without appearing to criticise her?

[Brenden]

Don't be detrimental to her just say you are assisting her on a daily basis. Good luck, keep us posted on the outcome.

[cazzz1975]

I would avoid being critical of your current boss, I would just emphasise the work you have done without drawing conclusions about your boss's imput.

dont think arrogant, think competant

[ubasses]

Be positive with your skills and use examples of the work you have done to illustrate how you have proved these skills. They will soon realise that you have been doing the boss's work without you having to say anything derogatory about her.

[karenmac60]

That's the thing though Brenden - I'm supposed to assist her on a daily basis, but for a large part of the time I'm actually doing her job for her.

[karenmac60]

Thanks cazz :)
Good point Ubasses!

[cazzz1975]

you could say you have been entrusted to carry out these extra tasks ?

[Sqad]

Do you want the job or not?
Don't criticize your boss, but tell them that she has given YOU a lot of opportunities to which you have risen to the challenge with what you consider to be with considerable success based on the advice given to you by your boss.

Now...if you don't want the job.....jump in with both feet and *** her off.

[Sqad]

S.L.A.G.......didn't think that was a rude word.

[TWR]

Hi Karen, be truthful,positive, do not put in any way your present boss down as this will certainly backfire, as said, show them what you have done, have everything in front of you which you think you may need, the good start to the interview, say Good Morning & smile. Good Luck.

[Count-A-Strong]

They'll probably be aware that you've been doing her work. You could say 'the opportunities I've had to learn under X have been fantastic, I'm very grateful to her for letting me learn far more than my position title suggests'. Win win.

[Lore]

Agreed, you have to find a way of showing your achievements and capabilities beyond your role and resposibilities. Give examples of your work to show the knowledge/ experience and skills gained through opportunities given by your boss.
Good luck :)

[boxtops]

Say that as you've developed in the post, your boss has been confident to delegate certain tasks to you which you now undertake on a daily basis. That says that you are doing them and makes her look good as a person who is not afraid to delegate ;-)

[karenmac60]

Thanks all, I'll be sure to only refer to her in glowing terms ;) x

[Sqad]

LOL...you only have to tell untruths for about 15mins...LOL...Good luck.

[karenmac60]

It's nearer an hour sqad - can I hold out for that long??? ;)

[Sqad]

Kaen.....I couldn't ;-)

[karenmac60]

Oo-er mrs!

[Sqad]

P.S Make sure that you don't wear those bl00dy shoes ;-)

[Ellipsis]

What Sqad and boxtops said. The position you need to adopt is ...

Your boss is a good boss.
She is good at delegation (as effective bosses need to be)
You have accepted the duties that have been delegated to you
You have performed admirably at these duties (be prepared to give examples or, if appropriate, evidence - i.e. take material in with you)

The maxim is "If you can't say something nice, say nothing". A job interview is not the place to be raising doubts about your current boss and could well damage your prospects, either because it calls your own character into question or because you become seen as essential in your current role ...

[karenmac60]

That is sort of my point though ellipsis - my current post is going and my boss is moving to another branch. The new post is a combination of both of the old posts plus a little extra. I want to be able to say I have been doing pretty much both jobs so it would only be the new stuff I would have to learn - and that is new to everyone, so there will be no one who has experience with that. I think I'll just have to be as diplomatic as possible while letting them know what I've done - it's a fine line to tread though!