Hi all.

So, the story is this:

I've been working in a company as a programmer for 4 years now. My first coding job. If it matters, it's in the financial and not in the gaming domain. Due to a number of negative factors, I want to quit my job there and try something else, somewhere else. But, I'm not just gonna leave without having something else secured (well, I have to eat, pay my isp, and load up my steam wallet, right? :) ). So I have to get in the process of giving interviews while working. This fact concerns me a bit for a couple of reasons (justified or not, I hope you'll enlighten me!)

- Does it look bad giving interviews while already working? I mean, can you give the impression of someone who could leave a company almost "out of the blue" ?

- Looking at your CV, they'll obviously notice that you're working already. What if they ask you WHY do you want to leave? I'm pretty sure this would be a tricky question to answer, so, are you going to be sincere with them and say the truth, judging situations that occur in your present work, or do you come up with pretty little lies to avoid answering the real point?

It's obvious that i'm completely inexperienced in giving interviews (just 2 in my life, so far) so I'd really love some hints from you guys. Thanks for reading, and thanks in advance for any replies.

Interviewing while working somewhere is pretty much the norm so don't worry about that; at most just don't go advertising the fact to where you currently work in case you can't find somewhere right away - if only to stay classy

As for why you are leaving; I've always found the truth can't hurt, depending on the truth - if you aren't happy somewhere then saying so with qualifiers is unlikely to do you any harm, just don't tear into the company you currently work for However after four years you can always go with the tried and tested "I've been in the job for a while now and I'm just looking for a new challenge and something more interesting to do outside of that area" - I pretty much used a combination of the two when interviewing for my current position (while at my previous job).

- Does it look bad giving interviews while already working? I mean, can you give the impression of someone who could leave a company almost "out of the blue" ?

This is the usual way how you find another job. I did that, everyone are doing this, they know that you're doing this it is normal.

- Looking at your CV, they'll obviously notice that you're working already. What if they ask you WHY do you want to leave? I'm pretty sure this would be a tricky question to answer,

Give them your reasons, tell them why you don't want to work there anymore. They may ask you "why do you think it wont happen again with us". If they are not OK with your

requirements you're good, because at the end of the day you don't want swap one bad thing for another.

If you're risking with that company(you have no idea if the same problems will occur again, but you want to try) I cannot give you a good advice, just be careful.

I moved this to the Game Industry Job Advice board. Nice question.
My 2 cents: it's your life, so you need to consider yourself as your first priority (not your present employer).

Thank you all guys, you helped me a lot! :)

Another good generic answer that usually works: "No problems there, it is just time to move on."

ALWAYS speak well of your past employers. The industry is small. Word will get around. If you are in the industry for a few years you will run in to former co-workers at each new job, so be mindful about what you say.

ALWAYS speak well of your past employers.

Absolutely.

Most people being interviewed for technical positions are already employed elsewhere. You may be asked questions about why you want to leave, but it won't be a substantial focus of any portion of any interview unless you make it one; career movement happens, it's the norm. Just make sure your answer is both succinct and positive, and nothing else really matters.

Especially if you're moving to a larger organization, you're more likely to receive questions about why you want to work at this new company than why you want to leave your old one. Questions like this need more complete answers, and you'll want to tailor that to each specific interview.