How to answer – “Why did you change your career?”

40% of today’s workers reveal they are thinking about changing careers. But why there is this huge migration? Is it an alarming call of passion, more money, or sanity after another soul-crushing Zoom meeting? Whatever may the reason be and now that you have decided on a career switch you will have to justify it in your upcoming interviews. But don’t worry as we have made this easier! This article contains everything you would require to answer the question “Why did you change your career?”

How to answer “Why did you change your career?”

The answer depends upon the specific circumstances of your career switch and the context in which you’re being asked the question. Here are some steps on how to effectively answer the question in an interview:

• Be honest and genuine: The most important thing is to be true to yourself and your reasons for changing careers. Don’t try to make up a story or sugarcoat your answer.

• Focus on the positive: Frame your answer in a positive light. Instead of telling on what you didn’t like about your old career, focus on what you’re excited about in your new one.

• Highlight transferable skills: Emphasize the skills and experience you gained in your previous role that are relevant to your new one because this will show that you’re not starting from scratch and that you have something valuable to offer.

• Keep it concise: Don’t go into too much detail about your career history. Just give a brief overview of what you did before and why you decided to make a change.

• Tailor your answer to the audience: Tailor your answer to the specific job that you’re applying for and show how your career change has made you a better fit for the position.

Sample answer

1. Seeking New Challenges

“While I enjoyed my previous role in [previous field], I felt I had reached a plateau and was eager for new challenges. I’m drawn to the [new field] because it offers opportunities to [specific challenge/area of interest] and utilize my skills in a different way. I’m confident my [transferable skills] will translate well and excited to learn new things that will contribute to [company/role].”

2. Pursuing a Passion

“Throughout my career, I’ve always nurtured a passion for [new field]. Now, I feel ready to make it my main focus. This field offers a chance to [specific aspect of passion] and align my work with my personal values. I’m excited to contribute my [relevant skills] and learn more about [specific area of interest] to make a real impact.”

3. Upskilling and Growth

“I believe in continuous learning and growth though my previous role provided valuable experience, I felt the need to expand my skillset and explore new horizons. The [new field] offers opportunities to learn [specific skills] and gain expertise in [area of interest] and I’m confident this will make me a more versatile and valuable asset to your team.”

4. Work-Life Balance

“Balancing my personal life with the demands of my previous job became increasingly difficult for me. The [new field] offers a better work-life balance, allowing me to [specific personal goal] without compromising my professional commitment and I’m energized by this change and believe it will ultimately enhance my performance and creativity.”

5. Positive Transition

“My decision to change careers is not driven by dissatisfaction, but rather by a desire for a positive transition. [Previous field] provided me with a strong foundation of [skills], and I’m now ready to apply those skills and knowledge in a new direction. The [new field] aligns perfectly with my long-term goals and offers exciting opportunities for growth and contribution.”

Possible reasons for career change?

Whether or not you should change careers depends entirely on your circumstances and goals. However, here are some common reasons why people might consider a career change:

• Dissatisfaction: You may feel unfulfilled, bored, or apathetic in your current career. You might not be using your skills and talents to their full potential, or the work may not align with your values.

• Lack of growth: Your current career may not offer opportunities for advancement or learning. You might feel stuck in a dead-end job with no clear path for the future.

• Work-life balance: Your current career may be demanding too much of your time and energy, leaving you with little time for personal life or hobbies and you might be looking for a career that offers more flexibility or a better work-life balance.

• Financial reasons: You would be unhappy with your current salary or benefits, or you may be looking for a career that offers more financial security.

• Passion and purpose: You might have found a new passion or interest that you want to pursue by a career change and you might be looking for a career that allows you to make a difference in the world.

Why Interviewers ask “Why did you change your career?”

There are several reasons why interviewers ask “Why did you change your career?” during job interviews. Here are some of the most common:

• Commitment and passion: They want to gauge your genuine interest and enthusiasm for the new field and a well-articulated reason about your career change can reflect genuine passion and commitment, which is crucial for long-term success.

• Growth mindset: They want to see if you’re proactive and take initiative to improve your career and a thoughtful answer about seeking new challenges or exploring new skills shows a desire for growth and continuous learning.

• Red flags: They want to identify potential red flags like dissatisfaction with past employers, lack of career planning, or impulsive decision-making and a negative or unclear answer might raise concerns about your stability or suitability for the role.

• Skill gaps: They want to understand the skills and experiences you bring from your previous career and how they translate to the new role and a well-connected explanation can highlight transferable skills and showcase your ability to adapt and learn new things.

• Learning agility: They want to assess your willingness to learn new skills and adapt to a new environment and sharing your efforts to acquire relevant skills or knowledge demonstrates your learning agility and preparedness for the new role.

• Cultural alignment: They want to see if your values and work ethic align with their company culture. Connecting your career change to your values or personal aspirations can show a deeper understanding of your motivations and potential fit with their team.

• Long-term career goals: They want to know your long-term career aspirations and how the role fits into your future plans because a clear vision for your future career path demonstrates your commitment and potential for growth within their company.

Common Mistakes to avoid

While answering “Why did you change your career?” in an interview, it’s important to avoid these common mistakes:

• Lacking Clarity: Be specific about your motivations for change, avoiding vagueness or rambling and clearly articulate what you’re seeking in your new career path.

• Focusing on Negativity: Avoid bashing past experiences or dwelling on what you disliked and emphasize what excites you about your new path.

• Missing Connections: Demonstrate how your skills and experiences from your previous career are relevant to your new one and clearly explain how your new career aligns with your future goals.

• Displaying Unprofessionalism: Maintain a professional tone, avoiding gossip, complaints, or blaming external factors and take ownership of your career change and highlight your proactiveness.

• Projecting Self-Doubt: Express confidence in your decision and enthusiasm for your new path and acknowledge challenges, but showcase your commitment to learning and growth. Highlight transferable skills, even if the career shift seems unrelated.

By avoiding these common mistakes and following the tips above, you can effectively answer “Why did you change your career?” and make a strong impression on the interviewer.

Conclusion

Whether you’re motivated by your passion, desire for advancement, or the need for a better work-life balance navigating interviews can feel daunting, remember that honesty, positivity, and a well-articulated narrative highlighting your transferable skills and genuine enthusiasm are key to success. Take the some time to prepare, tailor your answer to the specific role, and embrace the opportunity to showcase your true potential. So, take a deep breath, step into your power, and confidently answer the call of your purpose because the world of possibilities awaits. Remember that changing careers is a courageous step towards self-discovery and happiness.