Why do you want to leave your current job?

The question “Why do you want to leave your current job?” or “Why did you leave your last job?” is one that you will definitely be asked in your job interview. This is because it is crucial for your potential employers to know the reasons behind you leaving a job since it will allow them to gauge whether or not you will stay with them in the long run and not jump ship due to petty issues. Also, the answer to this question will depict your professionalism which most companies highly value.

Hiring managers seek to figure out the candidate’s professional values by asking “What was the reason for leaving your last job” since it lets them know whether you left voluntarily or were forced to leave, whether you left for good reasons or bad ones, and whether you left on good terms or bad terms.

It goes without saying that you need to plan ahead and convince yourself that you will definitely be asked this question in an interview. Hence, you should pen down your reasons in advance, prepare an honest and acceptable answer which cannot adversely affect your chances of landing the job and leave no loophole whatsoever in your answer.

Wondering how you can do that? Here’s a detailed guide of how you can adequately answer the question “What was the reason for leaving your last job?”

Avoid negativity like the plague

The worst that you can do is start blaming and badmouthing your past employers or current employers. Stating that your boss was manipulating you, you did not like the company culture, the tasks and deadlines you were assigned were unrealistic, and the management was unprofessional will do you no good. So refrain from talking negatively and getting personal at all costs.

The recruiters will listen to your answer and judge you. Thus, it is better to avoid answers that in turn reflect poorly on you.

Be strategic and straightforward

While it may not be in your interest to talk about each and every point that led you to quit your last job, it is recommended that you be honest and state the real reason strategically. For instance, if your superiors were road-blocking you, taking credit for your work, and not promoting you then you can simply say that the lack of growth opportunities led you to make the difficult decision. It would be beneficial if you link your reason for quitting with why you applied for the particular job indirectly.

The recruiters will realize that you were not given ample opportunities to climb the corporate ladder and since their own company offers plenty of such choices so you will have no such problem. It is essential that you remember that the key is to tie your answer with why you applied to this job in particular.

Once you are done finalizing your reason for leaving your last job and why you want to switch, do practice delivering your answer in a brief, clear, confident, positive, and unemotional manner.