You’re on the hunt for a new job and you’ve made it to the interview stage - congratulations! Things are going well until the interviewer asks: ‘Why are you leaving your current job?’. 

It’s a very common interview question, and one that can sometimes be as awkward to answer as the classic ‘What is your greatest weakness’. 

Rest assured, there are many reasons someone might want to leave their job and with a little preparation, answering this question becomes your chance to wow your prospective employers. 

So, how do you explain your reasons for leaving a job in an interview? Read on for our top tips!

Why do interviewers ask this?

First of all, it helps to understand why the interviewer is asking this question. They’re not looking to catch you out or find a reason to criticise you, but to get to know you better. 

Your answer to this question helps them to understand more about your career ambitions, long-term goals, and whether their workplace culture will be a good fit for you. 

How honest should you be about your reasons for leaving?

When it comes to sharing your reasons for leaving a job, you should aim to be honest but not to overshare. Especially if your reason has to do with a bad workplace dynamic, disagreements with your co-workers, or being laid off or fired. 

 

There is no need to go into heavy detail, especially if your reasons for leaving were personal, but answering this question honestly, briefly and confidently will give a good first impression in an interview. 

How to answer the question about leaving your job

Be honest but don’t overshare 

It’s important not to lie about your reasons for leaving a job as the interviewer may call your previous employer for a reference and you don’t want to be caught out. 

If you were fired, for example, you should take ownership for your responsibility in the matter, show how you have learned from the experience and move the conversation on to how your strengths and experience will suit the position you are currently interviewing for. 

Keep it short and sweet 

Don’t get into the ins and outs of any disagreements, complaints, or issues you had with your previous workplace. Even if you are entirely justified in your reasons, doing so will only make you seem like a difficult and argumentative employee.

Simply address your reasons for leaving and explain what you’re looking to get out of this next step without going into too many details. 

Always be positive 

Finally, framing your response in a positive way will leave a good lasting impression of you, no matter how uncomfortable the answer is to explain. 

Try to focus on what you have learned from your previous experiences and how you can apply this knowledge in future roles. 

Examples:

Here are some examples of responses you can use to answer the question: why are you leaving your current role? 

1. You’re unhappy in your workplace

I learned a lot about X industry in my last job and I appreciated the opportunity to work with an enthusiastic team. However, ultimately I felt that my values and goals were misaligned with those of the company. I’m looking to bring my skills and experience to a company whose values are more in line with my own.

2. You were laid off

Due to financial and management issues, my previous employer had to terminate my contract along with many others. I feel grateful for my experience with X company as I gained many skills and worked with some amazing people during my time there. I look forward to bringing these skills and experiences into my next role. 

3. You’re looking for a better salary 

I enjoyed my time with X company but after a few years of learning and growing in the role, I was ready for a new challenge and I realised that I wouldn’t achieve the growth goals that I’m ready for at this stage in my career within the company.

4. Burnout

I learned a lot in my last role and gained experience by being regularly pushed outside of my comfort zone. However, as it was a very small team, I routinely found myself pulled in too many directions and required to work in areas unsuited to my skill-set and strengths. As a result, my output and mental wellbeing suffered and I decided to step back and focus on finding a role that better aligns with my strengths and values.

5. Aligning better with career goals

I am very grateful for my time at X company, however I’m looking to build my skill set and gain experience in a managerial position. I’m ready to learn and grow within a company which is more aligned to my long-term career goals. 

6. Personal reasons 

I loved my last job and I’m proud of the work I did with X company, however in 2022, I had to step away from my career for a period to deal with some personal issues. I’m now ready to step back into the workplace and I’m enthusiastic to continue my career journey with a company that will support me to achieve my goals and to apply my skills and experience in a new setting.

Looking for help finding your next role?

Looking for further advice to help you nail that job interview? Check out some of the other articles on our blog here. 

Or, for more tailored, personal support to find the perfect role for you and breeze through the interview process, speak to a member of our team today!

tags: Career Blogs, HR Industry