{"id":17818,"date":"2020-06-02T11:09:28","date_gmt":"2020-06-02T18:09:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/?p=17818"},"modified":"2023-12-01T03:08:17","modified_gmt":"2023-12-01T11:08:17","slug":"reasons-for-leaving-a-job","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/reasons-for-leaving-a-job\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Discuss Your Reasons for Leaving a Job: A Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Your interview is going well<\/a>. You think you are going to advance to the next stage of the hiring process for your dream job. Then, the interviewer asks you \u201cWhy do you want to leave your current job?\u201d Your confidence drops as you realize you are going to have to discuss the reasons you are leaving your job.\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a common predicament to be in. After all, questions about why you left your last job are some of the most common questions asked during interviews<\/a>. You don\u2019t want to seem like you are leaving for the wrong reasons.\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In this guide, we give you advice to answer the question \u201cWhy do you want to leave your job?\u201d We\u2019ll also walk through a few good reasons for leaving your job that you can share in your interview.\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Are They Asking about the Reasons You Left Your Job?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Being asked about the reasons you are leaving your current job<\/a> can seem overly personal. However, there are a few reasons hiring managers ask this question.\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your answer to this question gives the hiring manager a good idea of what you value most in a job. For example, you may say to the hiring manager that you quit your last job<\/a> because you didn\u2019t have many opportunities to advance. This indicates that you care about career progression and personal growth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This question also allows an employer to look out for a few red flags in a candidate. For instance, leaving your job because you don’t like your boss can be a sign that you are not a good team player.\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good Reasons for Leaving a Job<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The last thing you want to do is go into a debate about the problems you faced in your last job. To help you answer this question effectively, we\u2019ve prepared a list of a few good reasons you can mention for leaving your current job. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1: You\u2019re looking to advance in your career<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some organizations provide more opportunities for career advancement<\/a> than others. For instance, some businesses have a flat structure, which means opportunities for progression are rarer. Others have more levels of management, which means that there are clear next steps up the career ladder.\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you were not able to reach all your professional goals in your last job, you can mention this. This will show that you had a clear reason for leaving your job and that you have ambition and passion for growth.\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s an example of how you could talk about career advancement as a reason why you are moving on:\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI thoroughly enjoyed my last job and learned a lot from the experience. However, I believe that there are no longer sufficient opportunities for advancement at the business. I\u2019d love to hear more about how your organization thinks about long-term career progression. Also, I want to know more about how you nurture employees who are looking to build new skills.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2: You are looking for a new challenge<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After working in the same position for some time, you may feel like you need a change and a new set of challenges<\/a>. This is a crucial part of working: when we no longer feel challenged, work can quickly become monotonous. If you are in this situation, share it with your interviewer. This will allow you to showcase your passion for growth, and your interest in taking on new challenges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is an example of how you could talk about looking for a new challenge:\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt my former employer, I found that there were not enough challenges in my day-to-day work that kept me fully engaged with the organization. As I worked there for four years, there was a high degree of repetition in my job. I was not feeling as though I was learning enough. I am looking for an opportunity where I can apply the skills I already have, and acquire new ones too.\u201d<\/em>\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3: You were laid off or let go<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It may feel uncomfortable to talk about how you were laid off or let go. However, these are very good reasons why you are looking for a new job.\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you were laid off or let go, you should be truthful. Tell your employer that is why you\u2019re looking for a new job. You don\u2019t need to talk about all the circumstances around why you were let go or laid off. However, sharing some basic information can help an employer identify any red flags.\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is one example answer you could use:\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI left my former job because my boss and I shared different ideas of what my day-to-day responsibilities should be. I realize that, when I was starting my position, I should have taken more time to learn about my exact duties. However, I learned a lot from the position. I am excited to explore new opportunities where I can apply the skills I have acquired.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n#4: You are burnt out<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While you shouldn\u2019t mention that you burned out in your last job, burnout is a good reason why people look for new jobs. Burnout can make work feel boring, and have a negative impact on your mental health. If you cite burnout as a reason for looking for a new job, it shows that you know when you have reached your limits. It also shows that you value your mental health.\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is an example answer you could give when talking about feeling burnt out:\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn my last job, I struggled to maintain a good balance between work and the rest of my life. The job had too many responsibilities, some of which were not in the job description. I am looking for a job where I can apply my unique talents while also maintaining a work-life balance. I believe your organization would be an excellent place for me to achieve this personal goal.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n#5: Your company\u2019s values did not align with your own values<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You may have felt that in your last job you had to do certain work that did not align with your personal values. If this is the case, then it\u2019s alright to talk about how you left your job for this reason in your job interview.\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By sharing that you did not align with your company\u2019s ethics, you show that you care a lot about company culture. This also gives you an opportunity to discuss why you think the values of the company at which you are interviewing resonate with you.\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s an answer you could give to share that you left your last job due to cultural differences:\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI found that in my last job the company was going in a direction that I did not personally favor. Our company started to become too focused on reducing the bottom line in favor of boosting profits. I think this compromised the integrity of many of our core products. My manager asked me to take on new responsibilities for which I was not qualified. This made me uncomfortable in the workplace. I am excited to explore opportunities with a company that has a clear value-driven culture.\u201d<\/em>\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bad Reasons for Leaving a Job<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A negative experience at your last job\u2014such as having a bad relationship with your boss\u2014may be behind why you left the job. However, you should make sure that your answer is constructive. Here are a few reasons you should avoid mentioning when answering this question:\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n