Job interviews can sometimes feel like walking a tightrope, where one wrong step can throw you off balance. One of the most common and often challenging questions in a job interview is, “Why are you leaving your last job?” It’s a delicate question that requires a thoughtful and tactful response. Hiring managers ask this question to gain insight into your professional journey, motivations, and compatibility with the new role.
Most people try to figure out their answers beforehand in order to keep job applications and responses in interviews consistent. Depending on your answer, it could raise cause for concern that you’re going to leave the new company in the same way you left your last. However, lying isn’t a legitimate solution.
In order to keep the question, you should do 3 things…
1. Keep It Real
When answering why you’re leaving your job, authenticity is key. Employers appreciate honesty and genuine explanations. Speak openly about your reasons for seeking new opportunities, such as wanting to pursue personal growth, seeking fresh challenges, or exploring a different industry. Avoid making up stories or embellishing the truth. Be yourself and let your enthusiasm shine through.
2. Highlight Learning Opportunities
One effective way to approach this question casually is by discussing your desire for continuous learning. Explain that you’ve reached a point in your current role where you feel you’ve acquired valuable skills and experiences, and now you’re seeking new challenges to broaden your knowledge. Show enthusiasm for the chance to learn and grow in a different environment.
3. Seek a Better Cultural Fit
Sometimes, leaving a job can be attributed to a lack of cultural fit. Frame your response around the importance of finding a workplace where you can thrive and be your authentic self. Mention that you’ve researched the company you’re interviewing with and feel it aligns better with your values, work style, and overall professional preferences. This demonstrates your commitment to finding a suitable environment for both personal and professional growth.
Your Reason For Leaving:
The toxic work environment
You shouldn’t badmouth your old boss or company. Honesty is essential when answering this question, but it’s equally important to maintain a professional and tactful approach. Focus on the positive aspects of your career progression and emphasize the opportunities you seek in the new position. Keep it positive, regardless of the circumstances.
Have some negative posts/comments on LinkedIn? Delete them. You would be amazed how many TOP candidates go on the chopping block because they decided to gossip about their company on social media. Even if it’s justified, it can leave a bad impression.
Instead, say you are looking for better career prospects and want a work culture where you can grow. You don’t need to elaborate more than necessary.
Got fired
Maybe leaving your last job wasn’t your choice. In an interview with Alistair Campell, Anna Wintour, the Editor-in-Chief for Vogue Magazine, said, “Everyone should be sacked at least once in their career because perfection doesn’t exist. It’s important to have setbacks because that is the reality of life.”
Thousands have been fired/laid off this past year, so you’re not alone. It doesn’t mean your career is over or you need to remove the job from your resume. The best approach is to talk about the situation as a learning experience.
A good format to follow is to talk about what your expectations originally were, what actually happened, and then what you’ve learned from it.
Example: “When I was originally hired as the [job title], the description of the job was different from what I ended up doing. Because of that, I had some struggles early on. My supervisor and I realized that it wasn’t the best fit. Since then, I’ve been able to clarify my own professional goals, and I have a better idea of what kind of roles I would thrive in. I’ve also worked on communicating better, so I have clear expectations from the beginning.”
Passed for a promotion
This is another one you probably will want to leave out the extra details on. Completely avoid mentioning instances where your boss didn’t keep their promises of a promotion. If you left your job because you felt underutilized or unappreciated, you’re not alone, and it’s a common reason people leave. If you say you were unjustly passed for a promotion, the hiring manager will interpret it one of two ways: that you left as a result of your ego or because you had truly achieved as much with a company as you could. It’s risky to roll the dice on this one, so you want to make sure your intent is as clear as possible.
Don’t mention the promotion, but state that you’re looking for a company with growth potential. It’s normal to hit a cap, and if you’ve been with your company for a while, it’s doubtful that the hiring manager will press on it. You can keep it simple, “I am looking for a position within a company where I can contribute and grow.”
There is no reason why leaving your last job should hurt your future job opportunities! If you prepare beforehand, you’ll roll on through the interview with no issue.
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