How to Answer the Question- “Why are your leaving your current position?”
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Feb. 8, 2023, 8 a.m.
How to Answer the Question- “Why are your leaving your current position?”
When asked about why they're leaving their job, many candidates find themselves uncomfortable sharing their reasons. However, this is a question that interviewees need to be prepared to answer, succinctly and without embarrassment, in order to make a good impression on the hiring panel and increase their chances of getting the job.
Employers ask this question to gain insight into a candidate's career goals and whether they are leaving their current job on good terms. Additionally, it can provide information on what satisfaction and engagement look like for the interviewee and what they hope to achieve in a new role.
Here are five reasons for leaving a job that a hiring manager would view positively:
- Desire for more responsibility and career growth
- Career change to pursue meaningful work
- Dissatisfaction with company reorganization, with examples of efforts to improve and potential solutions
- Need for better work-life balance, with a focus on long-term goals
- Relocation to physically be near a potential employer's office, with an explanation of skills and benefits of the new job and location
What to avoid when answering the question:
Avoid complaining or criticizing your former workplace or colleagues. Instead, emphasize the positives and what you learned from the experience.
2. Avoid reciting the same explanation in every interview and tailor your answer to the potential employer's organizational culture and policies.
3. Don't highlight salary dissatisfaction and wait for the interviewer to bring it up.
Be prepared to discuss your reasons for leaving a job in a positive and professional manner. Preparing in advance by considering your reasons for leaving a job and how to present them positively and professionally can boost your confidence before your next job interview.