What to say?

[Mrspoppins]

I am going for an interview on Wednesday. I left my last job because for several months i was paid late, on one occassion actually 7 days late! When the interviewer asks why I left my last job I don't know what to say. In all the tips I've read it says not to speak negatively about past employers but I have to give a good reason for the gap. Any suggestions would be great thanks!

[kira000]

Try and turn the question backwards. Ask your self what it is you like about the job you are going for. i.e. a It gives you the opportunity to travel alot, or its a job that gives you lots of responsibility andautonomy. Make sure its somethng thats pretty obviously about this new job.
Then you can explain that you felt it was time to move on from your previous job as you really wanted a job which xxxxxxxx and put in what it was about the new job, and that your previous role wasnt giving you that opportunity.

[boogieboogie]

If you don't answer the question they put to you or deviate from it that is reason alone for them not to give you the job. I personally would be honest but put it tactfully. ie: I enjoyed this and that but without sounding too negative I wasn't being paid on time, sometimes a week later and it wasn't a reliable source of income unfortunately because I made many friends there.
Is an idea..

[Postdog]

Me too, I'd be honest. Say you loved the job but there were aspects of behind the scenes admin that were causing you problems, namely paying you late, and despite asking for them to be resolved they weren't.

It's entirely valid, and you don't want to make up a lie when the truth will do.

[Fraizer123]

Interview Questions

http://www.alec.co.uk/interview/intq1.htm

http://www.redgoldfish.co.uk/cvinfo/preparefor .asp

http://www.cvwriting.org.uk/interview-question s.html

http://www.interview-skills.co.uk/Resources/Qu estions.htm

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewquestio nsanswers/a/interviewquest.htm

[Mrspoppins]

Thankyou everyone for all the great replies, I feel happier now! I really did love the job and was sorry to go but I was just waiting for the week when I didn't get paid at all!

[Eve]

Just be honest as it sounds like there is a good reason for you leaving that had nothing to do with a problem with you.

I interview people and would understand that as an honest response but would get suspicious if someone tried to avoid answering a question or says something that just doesn't add up.

You could explain that it made it hard to meet your responsibilities properly where things had to be paid on certain dates like rent/mortgage, direct debits or standing orders.

Be prepared to be asked a bit about it, even out of curiosity from the interviewer.