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1. Focus on the positives It's important to maintain a positive tone when answering this question. Even if the conditions of your previous position were poor, find something good to say. Interviewers prefer hiring positive individuals who have the potential to be a true asset to the team. For example, instead of explaining how bad management was, say something like "I took great initiative managing myself, pushing harder with each project until it reached success." 2. Focus on the work rather than the people If you bring up specific details about your previous role, focus on your tasks and responsibilities rather than the people involved. Share detailed information on your work, your accomplishments and achievements. If you accomplished anything of particular note calculated with numbers or percentages, mention that as well. Even if you disliked your previous position, explain it in a way that makes it sound like a successful role. If necessary, provide information on unique perks as well, such as a game room or fitness room. 3. Explain how it prepared you for this new position If there were any challenges in your previous position, capitalize on them by explaining how they prepared you for a new role. Consider how some of those challenges made you a more well-rounded and more effective employee. Use the details of your story in a positive way, telling your interviewer how they taught you new skills. For example, if your office resides in an area of limited internet connection, explain how working offline taught you to take more notes. 4. Explain why conditions are better here With those new skills in mind, explain how you want to apply them to this new position. This is the best way to end this question, as it's exactly what the interviewer seeks in your answer. They want to understand what you learned from your previous role and how it further benefits you on their team. If there are any skills or lessons you learned at your former company, this is the moment to end your answer with actionable information for the interviewer.
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