How to Answer – Reasons for Leaving a Job

If you have quit your job several times due to many reasons in your profession so far, you have the experience of answering the question “why you left your previous job” in your interview for a new job. A candidate will have to face different questions in an interview.

One of the most complicated questions to answer is the one mentioned above. The reason for quitting your job is also something the present and future employers would like to understand fully.

1. Find out the Actual Reason for Quitting the Job

I suggest that you should also compile a list of your reasons to leave your previous job before looking for another post. Afterwards, organize them according to the priority.

It will help to clarify the direction of your professional life, bring clarity and justification to your reason for quitting your job, and avoid more questions that are to be raised.

Generally, people quit their job for business reasons (seeking a better job or a better-growing company) or personal reasons (long commute, challenging study, family reasons). Or for reasons that you wish to keep for yourself, such as dislike your present job, the working environment, or your supervisors, it may also be.

Below is the collection of common causes we sometimes hear for leaving your job. It contains positive and negative reasons for giving in an interview. Both during the final interview at your previous workplace and the job interview at the current one, you need to maintain the reasons for leaving clear.

Also Read: How to Answer – Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?

The reasons for leaving a job can be because you are expecting to grow yourself and want to explore more career options. While it can be considered as a good reason for leaving a job, not appreciating the working environment of your present or last job is considered something that should be skillfully described in an interview.

Really?But why? To understand why you should answer this question carefully, you should understand what the interviewer expects to know from your answer.

2. Possible Reasons

The recruiter will judge you for being responsible, loyal and honest to work in their company if you would be recruited. If you have left the company for a good reason such as the below-mentioned reasons, you can explain the cause. 

• You are looking for better career prospects, professional growth, and work opportunities.
• You want a change in career direction.
• You are looking for new challenges at work.
• You were made redundant, or the company closed down.
• Your company was restructuring.
• Your company underwent a merger or an acquisition.
• Your company’s growth prospects are poor.
• Your job duties have been reduced, or your job outsourced.
• You have to travel on business too often.
• You are to be sent to a faraway foreign location.
• You need to be able to take better care of your family.
• You want to study or go travelling for a prolonged period.
• You are employed for one project, or on a short-term contract.

Below are some reasons for you to leave your job, which you should describe appropriately to your new recruiter.

• The company turned out to be disappointing.
• You didn’t like your job or your boss.
• Your boss did not keep his promises (of promotion or a raise)
• Your job was tedious, and you grew sick of it.
• You don’t want to work overtime.
• The targets set at work were not realistic and hard to achieve
• Office politics
• Lack of family support
• You were fired
• You left for legal reasons.

While it is entirely OK to leave your current job if you are not comfortable to work there, your recruiter can understand yourself as an easily given-up, irresponsible person. 

3. They Judge You!

Your hiring manager likes to feel you are wooed away from your previous employer by their company. From their point of view, the perfect reply: you’re just thinking about leaving because this new challenge (and the organization that offers it) is just fantastic.

You might not even look. You might be happy with your new role, and you couldn’t avoid this interview since your dream career in this job role.

Do not get me wrong, and you should never lie in an interview. You want to avoid laying this on too thick and seeming insincere. However, you should highlight the positive reasons for considering a new position and avoid talking about any negative ones if you can.

Also Read: How to Answer Tell Me About Yourself?

You can also tell your new recruiter how you tried to make things better in your former office but did not get support from others. Also, explain to them that you would like to work in a better environment with an excellent team than your current job. 

In some cases, derogatory explanations will need to be addressed. Your client may replace your division. Perhaps a rival has purchased the organization, and there are reports about job cuts.

Even in such cases, highlighting the positive and what you want about the open position is a great idea. You might like to address the lousy situation shortly, or you might want to keep from getting into the explicit details. It’s up to the case.

4. Do Not Criticize

More importantly, it would help if you did not criticize your former organization with your new recruiter. It is OK to explain the situation you left the company, but be rational and do not over criticize as it would ham your personality and your recruiters’ impression on you.

5. Keep Answers Short

While it is essential to completely address the issue of your interviewer in clarifying why you had to quit your job, leave your answer to one or two lines. Then, point out why you are the best candidate for the situation in the discussion.

It’s normal to leave a job for a fantastic, new opportunity. In their earlier days, your interviewer has probably left a job so that they can comprehend your situation. Be apparent about your reasons, plan your answer, and proceed to guide the discussion of why you might be the best candidate for the job.