There could be several reasons for leaving a job, but the trickiest part is how you convey your decision at the time of the interview with a future employer. You could be leaving your current company because you are finding it hard to agree with a disagreeable boss. Or you could be feeling underutilized in the workplace since you never get to work on any worthy projects. These may be perfectly valid reasons to leave a job but telling it as it is to your future employer could raise several unnecessary alarms.
Read on to prepare the perfect answer for when you are asked the reason for leaving your current job.
Although it might seem intrusive or unnecessary to ask why you are leaving your job, there are good reasons hiring managers do so. Hiring managers will want to verify that your answers match what you have said during the interview. An employer might notice that you haven't been honest about your reasons for leaving, such as saying you want to make more money but later saying you aren't motivated by your salary. A hiring manager will also want to know if you are a good fit for the job. If you tell a hiring manager that you quit your job because it was too rigid, but the position you are applying for doesn't allow for flexibility, then you might not be the right candidate for the job. Interviewers will often ask this question to look for red flags. If someone says they quit their job because of their boss's craziness, it could indicate that they are not easy to work with, or at least that they are not very good communicators.
Answer honestly without losing your chance to land a lucrative job
You don't have to worry if you aren't leaving your job to get rid of your boss or because your current boss is a micromanager. You might answer this question by saying, "I like the company I work for, but they know that I want to progress in my career and don't have any openings." This answer sends the message to your employer that you have addressed your career goals. It also shows potential employers that you are open and transparent.
If you are leaving your job because you don't have enough money, whatever the problem may seem, you need to be honest with yourself and not come off as someone who is quick to leave. Instead of complaining about what you dislike about your company, try framing the question as "my goals and the company's goals don't align." This is honest but not too vague to be dangerous. You can tell a story about a disagreement you had with your employer if you are asked. But make sure you communicate to your boss that you have a civil and respectful relationship.
No matter what your past company was like, don't make fun of your boss. The interviewer may suspect you might do the same to them.
Explain a layoff
Sometimes, being "laid off" can be the result of business trends and business cycles. The same principles apply whether you are laid off after 3 months or 30 years.
Layoffs can be a sad reality that we cannot control and most hiring managers are aware of this. You should be able to confidently present facts that led to the layoff. Think about what you have learned from the past and how that can be applied to your future. These are some ideas to get you started in your conversation.
"There was a restructuring within the organization, and unfortunately my role was affected."
"The business was going through changes and there wasn't enough work to support my position."
Explain if you were fired
What happens if you are leaving your job because you were fired? First, make sure you understand what you are allowed to and cannot say according to your agreement with your former employer. You must check with your HR department to find out how the company will present the situation and any policy it has for disclosing information. Otherwise, you could face a financial penalty.
Be honest, but not to your fault. Instead of saying "I was fired", you could use a soft phrase such as "I was let go" or "The company and I decided to part ways." Next, give a brief explanation about what happened.
No matter what the issue may be, you need to be able to explain it, highlight the lessons learned and assure the hiring manager that it will not happen again.
It doesn't help to criticize your former employer in any circumstance. It is important to show gratitude for your opportunities, and that you have strong relationships with people and a positive attitude. Use your language with care, words can be powerful and delicate.
Prepare a concise and simple response ahead of time such that it becomes second nature. Rehearsing your response will help you deliver it confidently and show that you have spent a lot of time in preparation for the interview. You'll be fine as long as your recitation isn't robotic.
Moreover, you don't have to answer all the questions. There are ways to express your dissatisfaction with your current job without bad-mouthing your employer. Keep your answers short and focus on why you are excited about what lies ahead.
Keep in mind that the company interviewing you may contact your former employer. Therefore, what you tell them should match what they will learn from those conversations. Be honest about your unemployment. You could lose your chance of being offered a job if they contact your former employer to confirm your start dates, salary range or for a reference.
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