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Answer interview questions: honesty vs. strategically explaining career transitions and role changes in short time
My Background: I studied IT Management, and after completing those studies, I pursued Software Development. During my Software Development studies, I completed two internships at the same company. Following my studies, I worked there for about a year as a Software Developer. In addition to software development, I handled data management, server management, workstation preparation, and various other IT tasks. I thoroughly enjoyed the diversity of the role, but after my one-year contract ended, many promises made to me were not fulfilled (like courses), which led me to leave the company. In my current job as a full-time Software Developer, my responsibilities are strictly limited to software development, with no involvement in broader IT tasks. I miss the variety that came with the IT Manager role and am now looking to transition into a full IT Manager position. My current contract expires in about two months, so I am actively seeking new opportunities. The Question: I understand that having only about two years of work experience and already seeking again new opportunity may not reflect well on my CV. During interviews, I expect to be asked about my previous roles and why I left my first job after a year and my current job so quickly. Additionally, I expect questions about why I’m pursuing a role that aligns with a lower study level than my qualifications. Is it best to be fully transparent about my reasons for leaving, or should I tailor my response to present myself in a more favorable light? If I should put myself in a more favorable light, please tell me how.
My Background:
I studied IT Management, and after completing those studies, I pursued Software Development. During my Software Development studies, I completed two internships at the same company. Following my studies, I worked there for about a year as a Software Developer. In addition to software development, I handled data management, server management, workstation preparation, and various other IT tasks. I thoroughly enjoyed the diversity of the role, but after my one-year contract ended, many promises made to me were not fulfilled (like courses), which led me to leave the company.
In my current job as a full-time Software Developer, my responsibilities are strictly limited to software development, with no involvement in broader IT tasks. I miss the variety that came with the IT Manager role and am now looking to transition into a full IT Manager position. My current contract expires in about two months, so I am actively seeking new opportunities.
The Question:
I understand that having only about two years of work experience and already seeking again new opportunity may not reflect well on my CV.
During interviews, I expect to be asked about my previous roles and why I left my first job after a year and my current job so quickly. Additionally, I expect questions about why I’m pursuing a role that aligns with a lower study level than my qualifications. Is it best to be fully transparent about my reasons for leaving, or should I tailor my response to present myself in a more favorable light? If I should put myself in a more favorable light, please tell me how.
