Hating your manager may be the reason why you’re looking for another job in the first place, but how do you approach this subject at job interviews so that it doesn’t hinder your chances?

A lot of interviews will contain at least one question about your working relationship with your current boss. They can take various forms and you should prepare for a lot of different types of questions that may be asked.

There are a few steps you should take first to make sure you don’t stumble if your interviewer asks you about your relationship with your boss. 

1. No matter what the question is – even if you are asked to describe any conflicts you have had with your boss, be positive and play down any poor relations.

Always look for the positive outcomes, i.e. talk about how you have overcome conflicts. Try to remove any emotions from the equation and explain the situation using the facts and highlight all of the professional steps you have taken to rectify the situation.

2. Don’t demonise your boss

Even if the interviewer seems like a down-to-earth person and you feel comfortable talking about the bad things that have happened, don’t do it! It may seem like an opportunity to vent about the situation but if you do, you may lose an opportunity to get to a second interview or get the job you so need!

3. If you are concerned that your current boss will sabotage your efforts to find another job

during the reference check stage you can solve this in a couple of ways. If your boss is reasonable and the two of you just don’t work well together, chances are you don’t have to worry too much. Be sure to give him or her a heads up though. If you aren’t comfortable with this, try and find another manager that you have worked for in the company previously that you can use as a reference.