Why are You Leaving Your Current Job? The RIGHT Way To Answer This Unavoidable Interview Question

Did you know that the average person changes their jobs about 12 times in their lifetime? Plus, the average person remains with their current employer for about 4.1 years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

That’s why one of the most common interview questions asked is ‘why are you leaving your job.’

Overall, hiring managers know that the risk of employee turnover is high for many reasons. This is a key interview question that will help them understand why you left. And, if you’re worth investing in long-term based on your answer(s).

Now, regardless of whether you “hate” your current job, got fired, or already left before finding a new position, knowing how to answer common interview questions such as this one can be the very thing that could either land you the role or not.

A lot is riding on how you answer this Why are you leaving your job interview question. Below are some tips and examples that can help you receive that much-desired offer.

How To Answer, “Why are You Leaving Your Current Job?”

Before getting into the examples, there are some key baselines that you should follow. These will ensure you prepare your answers to be as impactful as they can be.

First, make sure that you’re clear and concise on your reasons for wanting to leave your current job.

Furthermore, even if you despise your boss or coworkers, keep your answers directed towards your professional reasoning rather than personal. The natural tendency to badmouth a current or past company might feel enticing. However, it will only make you look like a potential liability to the company you are interviewing with instead of a resource.

In short, stay positive (even if you had a negative experience), remain professional, and be 100% honest without getting too detailed. Remember that this is an interview, not a therapy session.

For more helpful insight and preparation tips for interview success, you can find that here and here.

Example Answers Based on the Situation

Your answer to this common interview question is all about the framing of it. For instance, if you simply don’t like the company you work for now, don’t say that in your answer. Instead, say something like this:

“Though I have learned a lot in my current role, I feel that I have expanded my professional skillsets where I am. I have a strong desire to continue growing professionally within a company that features a strong community mission such as yours.”

Or…

“I have grown and learned a lot at ABC Company. But now I’m looking for a new challenging opportunity that allows me to expand even more in my professional career.”

In these examples, you highlight the positives of the company while also indicating that you are trying to advance your professional career. These are two very vital things that can make you quite a memorable, appealing candidate.

But let’s say you got laid off or fired. You can still answer this question in a professional tone:

• If you were laid off: “Unfortunately, my position was impacted by the company’s restructuring that resulted in a 20% loss of employees. In the meantime, I’ve carefully considering my next moves and researching opportunities where I can offer my skillsets again.”

• If you were let go: “Unfortunately, my previous employer had different expectations of what success meant in the position I held. After reflecting on that experience, I recognize where the disconnect was. I’ve proactively rectified my approaches, and am now excited to bring those skills into my next role.”

Pro Tip:  When answering the ‘Why are you leaving your current job’ question, body language, eye contact, and projecting confidence are Everything.  Practice answering this question in front of the mirror before the interview to make sure that you are presenting the way you want to.

All in all, preparing a good answer to this common interview question can be tricky. That’s especially true if your specific scenario was not exactly a rosy one. But with some mindful, simple, and positive wording and a whole lot of practice, it is certainly more than possible.

Summary – Mindful Answers Can Lead To Lasting Impressions

In interviewing, everything is based on first impressions and leaving a lasting mark in the eyes of the hiring manager. Part of that is based on how you present yourself physically, and part is on how you answer common interview questions in such a way that makes you a valuable business asset.

In summary, offering reasonable responses to hard interview questions is how hiring managers can read who you are as a person and if you are an ideal fit to help fulfill the company’s objectives. So, keep these examples in the back of your mind for your next interview and tailor them as needed.

In addition, practice your responses beforehand, keep negativity and badmouthing out of it. And whatever you do, always be truthful and transparent.

Crafting ideal answers like this beforehand could very well be that low-hanging fruit that pushes you to the top of the candidacy list.