How to Answer – “What Are Your Reasons For Leaving the Job?”

People tend to change or leave jobs for various reasons. Better pay at another workplace, change in the domain of work, and setting up your own company are some common reasons to shift from a job. When answering the question “Why are your reasons to leave the job” in an interview, it is important to go with a positive approach. How you answer this question will create an impact on your future job. In this article, a few important guidelines on answering this question in a perusing way are given – Learn what not to do! 

How to Answer “What Are Your Reasons for Leaving a Job?” 

What You Shouldn’t Say While Curating The Answer

Before knowing about the way of answering “What are your reasons to leave a job“, one must be aware of what not to say.  Any non-alignment regarding the answer you say to the interviewer’s perception can harm your profile:

1. No Blame game

Always make sure to give an overall positive approach to your previous company. Reasons such as miscommunication with the manager or any personal reasons with the company should not be told when asked about leaving the company. That can create a negative impact on a personal level. 

2. Reasoning about Work Load

Making answers about the workload on your previous job should not be given. Talking about workload and then the work-life balance may contrast with your given strengths such as “can work under pressure“. This shows that you are struggling to uphold the job role that has been allocated and a company will look for people who will manage their work in any circumstances. Also, don’t talk about the lesser work hours the new job is offering.

3. Long Reasons 

Your answer on leaving a job should always be simple and precise. Don’t take long answers explaining the difficulties you are facing in your current job. An interview will always be time scheduled and the interviewer will have to take decisions quickly on the answers you are saying. A prolonged answer will kill the time and it may lead to less time for your real objectives such as achievements, skills, etc.

Here are Some Ways in Which You Can Opt to Answer the Question 

1. Career Aspirations

One can answer this question by stating the importance of career aspirations the potential job can provide. Hence, a clear picture of the new role and its impact on your needs and goals must be highlighted. A positive approach regarding the scope of your potential job role and its ability to transform your skills to a higher grade can be presented in front of an interviewer. It is also important not to give a negative shade on your previous job but rather highlight the gains you have taken from that role and how it made you what you are in the present day. 

Structure your answer such that it gives a full-length description of responsibilities in the new job. An image of how it can fit your career goals and improve you in terms of both person and professional can be presented. A company always looks for a person who knows well about the job role and works on fulfilling the needs. A professional who helps in company growth by upgrading skills will always be a go-to place for an interviewer. 

Work on the job description provided and the skills that are required in your upcoming job. Make sure you speak about the growth your previous company provided and your interest to learn more in the upcoming role.

For Example:

I left my previous job to pursue my career aspirations. While I enjoyed my time there, I felt that it was time for me to take the next step in my career. I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and am looking for a role that will allow me to continue to develop my skills and grow as a professional. I believe that my career goals are aligned with the goals of this company and I am eager to contribute my talents to the team.

2. Working in a New Domain

Changing jobs to learn in a new domain can create a positive impact. This shows that you are ready to take on new challenges in whatever position and role you are allocated. With answering about the new domain, enlist your achievements in the previous domain and company. 

Also, speak about the homework you have done to learn new skills that the potential job is looking for. Wanting to create a new career with an ample amount of homework will show how confident you are and show that you can restart your work at any point in time. This also proves your ability to adapt to new technologies and upgrade yourself.

For Example:

It been a long time that I have been working in the same organization now. So, I think it its right time for me to change my job in order to explore new things and take up new challenges. I am quite excited abd looking forward to the new role and position that your company is offering me andas I have been passionate about the same my whole life.

3. Looking for Better Opportunities

A better workplace with a bigger salary can be a valid reason to change the job. Stating about the better opportunities the company is going to give can convince the interviewer of this question. State about the better salary and work-life balance the new company is offering. “A good company will always give a reasonable pay with work hours that can create good work-life balance“. A person tends to take opportunities that can help in giving free time for personal development or learning new skills. 

Create your answer so that it states your preference that is based on better benefits and work arrangements. Make sure to mention your achievements in your previous company and your desire to achieve on a bigger scale from your potential company. However, make sure to answer these as a secondary reason to leave the current job. An answer should always start with career-related reasons such as learning new skills and wanting to grow as a professional.

4. A Job that Suits Your Qualifications

Having a job role that is below your qualifications can be a barrier in terms of both personal and professional growth. A working professional should always look for a job role that revisits the skills and nurture a new skill set. Choosing a place where one can give the best out of the skill set can be a valid reason to change the job. 

State your skill set (make sure to check on your resume and answer accordingly) and how your previous job is not as per your qualifications. Also, mention the new job role where you can satisfy the required goals based on the knowledge you have.

For Example:

I want to change this job becasue the job role in which I was working did not match my qualifications and becoming a barrier in the terms of both professional and persona growth. But in this company I can see that the job role which I have applied for is justifying my qualifications and I can definitely excel in the future. 

5. Change of Location

There can be many reasons to change the current location. For example, if one wants to reduce travel time, a job can be demanding frequent travel, or maybe any personal reason. You may answer based on your preference and state the changes the new job role can make in it.

For Example:

I have to relate due to some personal reasons due to which I will have to leave my previous organization in which I was working earlier. Therefore, I have been looking for some new opportunites in this city where I can have a proper growth.

6. Stick to Core Values 

Change in management in your previous company may lead to a change in the direction it was leading. This can make a diversion from the core values which were stated when you were joining. Answering such can give an idea of your value-abiding personality. A company always hires a person who is willing to work toward the mission and vision of the company.

7. Due to Layoffs

Elimination from your current job due to layoffs is something that is out of your hands. A simple precise answer on layoffs and about your willingness to work again new can be fitting to the answer. This can help in analyzing you in a way that you are ready to start a new work and improve your career.

For Example:

More that 30-40% of the department in which I was working was laid off and I was among them. It was a good organization and learnd alot but as my job is gone, I have struggled alot in the recent months. So, now I have applied in your company and hoping to find a better financial position. 

8. Personal Reasons 

Even though it is advised not to take a personal reason in answering such a question, an honest answer can always be a major plus point. After all, we are humans and few circumstances are not in our hands. Give a short answer about your reason and aid with your statements on how the new start job is going to fit your career objectives and long-term goals.

Conclusion 

Facing an interview is not new to a working professional, as the current can be based on the performance of the interview. However, when leaving a job and taking a second one can create a lot of questions in the interviewer’s mind. Giving a valid reason can help you answer all those questions can make a path to your new job role.