Q: I worked two and a half years for publication A and put in yeoman service. I was on a hot beat and I dominated it, but there wasn't anywhere left for me to go at that company. Then I took a risk -- I took a job with publication B (which is much more prestigious) that I thought could lead to something much better in the future.
It didn't: I ended up quitting over an ethical dispute. My editor demanded that I write a story in a way that was contrary to fact. This person told me how I should proceed -- find someone to tell you that thesis x is true, and then write the story around that lede fact.
I actually tried for a month to satiate my editor, but as my previous research had already indicated, the story this person wanted me to write simply wasn't true. This led to an on-again, off-again series of arguments that eventually led to my being given the choice to either force the story or quit my job.
So I quit my job.
I've been a student since then, and have been freelancing to keep my clips fresh. But I'm getting ready to hit the full-time job market and am wondering how this will affect my chances. I officially quit to go back to school (that's what I wrote in my resignation letter), but when a potential employer calls my editor to ask about me, he or she may get another answer and think I'm being dishonest.
I don't mind discussing the matter, but I believe that talking negatively about a past employer for any reason makes someone look unprofessional. Then again, I think employers could think that I did what I should have done given my situation ... this wasn't a scenario where I could have gone over the editor's head. There is also of course the red flag that will go up after an employer realizes I only spent six months at my last full-time job.
How should I address this?
Thanks again for your site. This is a really, really valuable resource.
Grad Student
A: You have good instincts.
It is best to steer away from talking down a former employer. If it comes up, though, it might be to your benefit to show what you're made of -- and to then move on to other questions.
How would it come up?
I sometimes use this question: "Tell me about a time when you had to stand up for what you thought was right, even though others were opposed." That would pretty muc draw the story out and it sounds as though you feel you'd look respectable.
But don't bring it up yourself.
If they ask why you left after six months, use the back-to-school answer. If that flies, move on. If it makes an eyebrow arch, you may have to explain your actions.
As for references, you'll have to use someone from that paper and will want to avoid that particular editor. I can't imagine he'll want to get in a reference discussion, anyway. But a new employer will quite naturally go back to your previous full-time employer, so you'll have to use someone else -- even a colleague.
