State your reason for leaving your previous job? This challenging question will always be asked of you during an interview.
If you quit your job without a good cause, it’s likely that you’ll behave similarly if you get the job you’re now searching for.
Additionally, it only makes sense that the recruiter would want to be confident that you wouldn’t quit on them as replacing an employee costs time, money, and effort.
If you are looking for a good reason to give for leaving a job, then this article has it for you.
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Why Do Interviewers Ask The Reason for Leaving Your Previous Job
Hiring managers are interested in your reasons for leaving so they may learn more about your priorities in a position and your approach to challenging circumstances.
Like we earlier said who can blame recruiters for trying to select the best candidate when you realize how expensive it is to replace an employee?
As a result, they inquire extensively about your prior experiences, including “why did you quit your last job?
They want to know why you left your previous position in case the explanation is relevant to the position you’re looking for.
For instance, if you were overqualified for your previous employment, you might also be so for this one.
Good Reasons You Can Give for Leaving a Job
The reason for leaving a particular job can vary depending on the circumstances that lead to it. Nevertheless you need to recognize that not all of those reason is worth telling when you are being asked in an interview.
Some of the good reasons you can give an employer includes the following:
The Job Did Not Match With Your Career Goals
Even if you loved your employment, you might have found that it didn’t fit your career objectives.
Perhaps you suddenly decided that day that you wanted to become a Project manager(as opposed to being a Digital Marketer).
Another possibility is that you learned everything you could from your existing position and simply stopped developing professionally.
Example Answer
The position didn’t seem to fit my professional goals, in my opinion. Although I had made the decision to become a Project manager the position I held was that of a Digital Marketer.
Looking for a Different Work Arrangement
You might want to look for a different work arrangement for a lot of different reasons:
- You want to work from home or freelance after having a child.
- You’re looking for a remote job because you want to move to another country.
- You want to switch to part-time work because you want more time to learn new skills.
Sample Answer
I wanted to free up time after having a child and switch to a freelancing arrangement. Or I,m looking to advance new skills so i wanted a job with better time schedule
Looking for Better Opportunity
It’s possible that you want to quit your job because you now have better options. It’s reasonable to look for a new job when a better opportunity arises, whether that means your working environment will improve, you’ll get paid more, or the new company’s mission better aligns with your values.
Example Answer
“Though I’ve learned a lot at my company, I can see that this position is a better fit for where I want to take my career—specifically, collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop innovative products for your users,” according to my research regarding this opportunity.
Job Did Not Meet Up With Expectation
Consider coming across a position that sounds hard, intriguing, offers competitive compensation, incredible benefits, and the like.
However, as soon as you begin working there, you discover that not everything is as you had anticipated.
The projects you’re working on are unconnected to your professional path, boring, and exciting. The culture of the company doesn’t interest you.
Sample Answer
Frankly, the position did not meet the job description. I was hoping to work as a Digital Marketer, which is the skill I wanted to learn, but instead I was working with a very obscure framework that has nothing to do with my career goal.
Laid Off
Layoffs do occur, and they frequently occur for reasons beyond your control.
Maybe a buyer decided to downsize after buying your company. Or perhaps external reasons caused a major decline in the company’s revenue, forcing them to make expense reductions.
It’s acceptable to disclose it to the interviewer in any case.
Example Answer
Since the company didn’t have any opportunities in other projects after the project I was working on was canceled, they were forced to let me leave. Having said that, I’m still tight with Company X’s management, and if you’d like, I can give you a reference.
Advance a Degree
Employers in the future are aware that not everyone can balance a full-time work with academic objectives.
It’s typical to leave a job to pursue a degree, especially if you’re changing industries, and it demonstrates your commitment to your professional aspirations.
Example Answer
“I enjoyed my role as a legal assistant but felt I would find more challenging opportunities if I completed the educational requirements for a paralegal. Going back to school full time allowed me to complete my studies more quickly and keep my long-term career goals on track.”
Career Growth
Different businesses may offer greater potential for growth than others depending on how they are set up. If you want to develop in a new path, it could be difficult to switch teams or departments.
One typical cause for leaving a job is the desire to advance in your career. Here is an illustration of how someone in this circumstance would give their reason for leaving.
Example Answer
“I appreciate my job and my teammates, but I’ve reached a stage where my team no longer offers prospects for professional advancement. Would you please elaborate on the job’s potential for advancement and the steps the business takes to help employees advance their careers? ”
Experiencing Personal Issues
Maintaining employment can be difficult during certain life stages. If you can’t take a long vacation, quitting your job can be very helpful for a variety of reasons, including taking care of a family member, managing your own health issues, or going through a divorce.
Example Answer
I had a family emergency that required full-time dedication for few months.
Better Offer
To avoid losing pay while changing jobs, it would be ideal if you already had another offer in hand. However, this is not required.
Many employees are leaving their jobs, freeing up time for a little hiatus. In any case, one of the most frequent reasons for leaving a job is to accept a better offer.
Example Answer
“After three years of employment, I believed I had reached my full potential in the position. Because I had kept in touch with a former coworker, they quickly recommended me for a position at their company that seemed to be suited to my skills and objectives.
Changing Career Path
People now frequently consider multiple occupations and careers throughout their lifetimes.
Changes in careers are a wonderful reason to look for a new job, whether you want to return to school, switch industries, or pivot what you’re working on.
Example Answer
“I’m looking for a new opportunity where I can develop and expand my account management skills that doesn’t exist at my current company.”
Reasons Not to Give
You Don’t Like Your Colleggues
Even while working with unpleasant people can be a miserable experience, it’s not always a valid excuse to quit your job.
A better choice could be to discuss conflict management strategies with HR and your manager to see if they can be implemented at the corporate level.
Quitting may be the only choice if it is completely intolerable, but it should only be done as a last resort.
You Are Bored
When it comes to working, boredom might be commonplace. Though it is ideal to work in a field you are enthusiastic about, it is not always achievable. Search for a new position with your current employer that might be more suitable for you rather than using it as an excuse to quit your employment.
You Don’t Like Your Boss
It’s true that this is a murky area, but unless there is workplace harassment or danger, you shouldn’t let a cranky manager force you out of your position.
Keep thorough logs of your encounters if your supervisor’s actions are unprofessional or poisonous. Pushing the issue up the chain to their immediate manager and HR may also be an option if you have a compelling argument.
To avoid dealing with a difficult boss, another option is to request a transfer to another department.
I Want a Higher Pay
Consider carefully whether this is the reason you want to discuss it because interviewers may take it in a variety of difficult-to-predict ways.
If you determine it needs to be addressed, consider phrasing it in a way that emphasizes incentives as a whole and your desire to take on difficult tasks that have significant rewards.
Tips on How to Answer ” Reason for Leaving a Job”
Here are some of the ways you can use to prepare and give your answer on your reason for leaving a job:
Give Clear and Concise Response
Keep your response to your interviewer’s question to no more than one or two words,
even though it’s crucial to completely address it. After that, bring up your qualifications for the position once more.
Be Specific About Your Reason
Write down all the factors that led to your search for a new job. If you’re unsure of your motivations, state them briefly and to the point.
Stay Honest and Avoid Too Much Details
You don’t have to go into great depth while responding to this question. There are always ways to express your dissatisfaction with your current job without criticizing your employer. Move the topic back to why you are enthusiastic about the prospects ahead of you by keeping your response brief and focused.
Remain Positive
Finding a positive approach to express your wish to quit a job is crucial, even if unpleasant events played a role in your decision to do so.
Employers seek someone who can solve problems and navigate challenging circumstances. Concentrate on the abilities you developed in your current position,
any beneficial relationships you may have had with coworkers, and any successful interactions you may have had with clients or other stakeholders.
Also Read
- 15 Best Interview Tips That Gets You Hired
- 10 Best Skype Interview Tips
- How to Respond to Interview Request: 5 Great Tips
- 10 Bright Questions to Ask a Recruiter
Now It’s Your Turn
Always make sure to give the right reason when asked the reason for leaving a job, let us know if this article was helpful in identifying the best answers to give.
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