How to Answer “Why You Quit Your Job “?

If you have prior experience and are looking for a job change, one question that you will undoubtedly face is, “why did you quit your job?” Recall that the prospective employer asks this question to determine if it was due to your results or a problem with your reputation. They also want to know that if they can rely on you for this new job position.

If you want to ace this interview, you must have an answer prepared for this question. Your response should be honest, and it should reflect your specific circumstances rather than a negative outlook. It makes no difference whether your reason for leaving was a disagreement with your boss or a dislike for the company; now is not the time to bring it up.

Why Do Interviewers Ask This?

Your reasons for quitting a job can assist a potential employer in determining your best fit for the position.

The interviewer is likely looking for the following items:

Did you leave for a legitimate reason?

Perhaps you suspected your boss was plotting your assassination or that the company was about to go bankrupt.

The interviewer will decide whether or not to trust you based on your response.

1. Did you decide to leave on your own?

If you were let go or left on purpose, your prospective employer will want to know why.

2. Did you leave of your own volition?

If you were fired or left on purpose, your prospective employer would want to know why.

3. Did you part ways on good terms?

If you include your previous employer as a reference, it shows that you are still in contact with them. It can show that you were a good employee with excellent interpersonal skills.

4. What are your professional values?

Maybe you felt unappreciated. When you’re leaving a job, this makes sense. However, it is crucial to express yourself skillfully to maintain your positive attitude.

How to Answer the Question “Why You Quit Your Job?”

The question may be tricky to answer, especially if you had a neurotic relationship with your former employer. You may have quit your job because of long hours and impossible deadlines.

If you do not carefully phrase your explanation, you may come across as lazy or unmotivated, which will turn off employers.

It’s best if you keep your response brief. Be truthful, but frame it in a way that casts you in a positive light.

Maintain a positive tone in your response without complaining about your former employer. Try to pivot to discussing why the job at hand is an excellent match for your skills, knowledge, and experience.

If you’re still working but about to leave, adjust your responses accordingly. Because every situation is different, make sure to craft your answer to your specific situation.

The following are some acceptable reasons for quitting your job:

Professional advancement

You can easily claim that you want a change in role and professional growth and that your current position is becoming stagnant.

It may be a valid reason for leaving your job, but it does not give you the right to criticize your employer.

Career path

One reason could be that you are dissatisfied with your current position. Remember that it is not about a particular company or department but your entire career. It is especially true if you have a diverse professional background and are looking for a new job.

Relocation

Relocation is another reason that is frequently accepted as a reason for looking for another job by a company. While these are just some of the traditional reasons for changing jobs, some are more or less accepted today.

Enhanced Knowledge

Another reason that can be given is the enhancement of abilities and education. If you have recently graduated and have decided to use your education to advance your professional career, this is a good reason to answer this question.

Working distance

Also, reasons related to routine commutation, such as spending too much time travelling from your place of work to your residence, as well as less time spent with family, can be used to justify leaving a job. Search for new challenges

One of the most common and straightforward reasons is that your job had come to a halt, and you wished to pursue newer opportunities and more significant challenges.

Company restructuring

Company restructuring is another common reason nowadays.

When a company restructures, it may have to lay off many employees in a short period. As a result, even if you have not explicitly been told to go, no one would blame you if you are looking for alternatives because your coworkers or another department has been exposed to go. Remember that you cannot lie about the reason you quit your job.

In this day and age of references and cross-references, determining the valid reason for your resignation is as simple as dialling ten digits on a mobile device.

Best Answers Examples

Examine sample responses, but remember to tailor your answer to your professional circumstances.

1. To be honest, I wasn’t thinking about changing jobs, but a former coworker recommended this position to me. I looked into the place and was intrigued by both the role and the company.

What you’re offering sounds like an exciting opportunity that’s a perfect fit for my qualifications.

Why would this answer be effective? This is highly flattering to the company! Making it clear that this particular position brought you into the job market is appealing to interviewers if you don’t overdo the compliments.

2. I was laid off from my previous job when it was eliminated due to downsizing, so I’m actively looking for work.

Why would this answer be effective? This is another straightforward response that avoids emotions or negativity.

3.I recently received certification and would like to put my educational background and technical skills to use in my next position. In my previous job, I was unable to achieve this goal.

Why would this answer be effective? This response portrays the candidate as a true go-getter, eager to learn new skills and put them to use. Employers value those characteristics.

What to Say If You’ve Been Fired

If you were fired from your job, you must respond as positively as possible. Try not to point the finger at yourself or your previous employer. Give a brief response and then proceed with the conversation.

Here are some sample responses and tips for responding to questions about being fired in an interview.

Some pointers on how to craft a well-received response:

Be truthful:

You do not have to tell the entire truth.

Just remember to keep the real reason for your departure in mind.

For example, you could state that you were dissatisfied with the lack of opportunities.

Begin by describing some of your accomplishments, and then shift to stating that you could not accomplish more.

You’ll get bonus points if you can connect your answer to why the job you’re applying for is a better fit because you’ll have more opportunities.

Keep it short and positive:

Because there are many minefields in this question, you may want to keep your response brief.

A simple sentence, or perhaps two, will most likely suffice.

Try to frame your departure in a positive light if at all possible.

Practice:

Rehearse your responses so that they come across as positive and clear. Practising will help you feel more at ease answering this difficult question. This is especially true if you were laid off or fired. In such a case, respond quickly, clearly, and unemotionally.

What to Avoid

Avoid negativity:

Do not criticize managers, coworkers, or the company. You may charge a coworker only to discover that interviewer is close to the interviewer. You can, however, speak broadly about corporate goals or express your dissatisfaction with the company’s current course of action. Make an effort not to make your response too personal. Small industries are common, and you never know who knows who.

Unprofessional remarks:

Are you dissatisfied with your job?

Are you underpaid or underappreciated? So tired of everything about your job? Now isn’t the time to let it all hang out.

You don’t have to go into too much detail or get too personal about your reasons for leaving the job. Make sure that your response is professional.