Urgent: I have an interview tomorrow! Is it a lie to answer the interviewers concerns, though lying in your answer to the question as put?

[foolishmortal]

What about “Did you have any issues with a previous boss while working there?” I could say we didn’t see eye to eye on everything but, if the real concern is my talking negatively about a boss to another, is it OK to say “No.” Well, OK, I complained sometimes to family, but no one important to the boss or in the industry. I think that’s more the concern. I can’t believe they would believe an employee would have no frustrations about any behavior of their boss towards anyone or themselves–not that the employer did anything unjust. Would it be immoral to say “No?”? If so, does anyone have a clever response that is morally permissible and saves me from further questions?

 

[prstoessel]

What about “Did you have any issues with a previous boss while working there?” I could say we didn’t see eye to eye on everything but, if the real concern is my talking negatively about a boss to another, is it OK to say “No.” Well, OK, I complained sometimes to family, but no one important to the boss or in the industry. I think that’s more the concern. I can’t believe they would believe an employee would have no frustrations about any behavior of their boss towards anyone or themselves–not that the employer did anything unjust. Would it be immoral to say “No?”? If so, does anyone have a clever response that is morally permissible and saves me from further questions?

The moral thing to do is answer the question honestly, but only with the level of detail needed. Since I suspect most everyone has “issues” of one kind or another with their boss, I should think that an answer of “no” would raise an eyebrow. Perhaps the question itself is a mere test of character or personality.

Did you have issues? If yes, then say so. Do not dwell on details. It can be simple. Such as “we had creative differences” or “our personalities simply did not match”. You can also follow up with something positive to say so as not to show bitterness. "My boss and I disagreed on billing issues, but I respected her opinion and abided by her wishes (or I left because I did not feel I could abide by her wishes).

Stick to the meat and potatos and only provide the extras if asked and/or relevant.

Peace

 

[jpjd]

Almost everyone complains about their boss at one time or another (privately) about minor irritations. If this is the kind of thing you talked about to other people, you can still honestly and morally answer that you had "a good working relationship"with your boss.

This kind of thing is not the point of the question. The point of the question is did you have an* issue* with your boss – that impacted productivity, your relationship with him/her, or the atmosphere of the office.

If you did have such an issue, you need to answer honestly, but present it positively, such as the way that the poster above phrased in the post above.

 

[lizaanne]

“Did you have any issues with a previous boss while working there?”

Answer: “I am sure that in every work place, just as in our personal lives, there are people who will have differences. The learning experience is how we deal with those differences and find a way to still be productive, keep our focus, and not allow personal differences to interfere with work. I have always been successful with doing this in the past and I can see no reason why my ability to do this would not continue should I encounter a situation like that in the future.” (if this is true about you)

You didn’t answer the question - you responded to the intent of the question.

Just like a politician responding to the media - you don’t always have to directly answer the question. It’s not lying, it’s not omission. It’s controlling the conversation in your favor.

~Liza

 

[foolishmortal]

Thanks everyone and future respondents!