Interview Question & Answer “Why Are You Looking For Another Job”

Interview Question & Answer “Why Are You Looking For Another Job”

You have made your applications and have already been shortlisted for an interview. According to Perminus Wainaina Head of Recruitment at Corporate Staffing Services, if an employer is interested to interview you, the question “Why are you looking for another job will always come up?”

The employer is interested in knowing exactly why you want to make this move in your career. You may be leaving your current employer because the salary is way better in the other company but that’s not enough reason to convince the interviewer.

Let’s look at how to answer the question why you are leaving your current employer.

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How to answer “Why Are You Looking For Another Job” Interview Question

According to Mr. Wainaina, when it comes to explaining why you are looking to make a move from your current company, you need to consider your answers very carefully.

First of all you must come out as unique from the other candidates and also make it look like making this moving is something you have put a lot of thought into.

How then do you answer this interview question?

1. Go back to the job description

If you are currently employed and attending an interview just be sure that the question of why you are looking for another job will come up. Go through the job description prior to the interview. What is unique about the job you are interviewing for? Tell the hiring manger that you are looking for another job that can offer opportunities for growth.

2. Compare the roles to what you are currently doing

What is so unique about the job compared to what you are doing? Does it offer more responsibilities? Is it a unique position that offers you an opportunity to use other skills you possess?

You will then be able to tell the interview that the reason you are looking to leave your current employer is because you will have more added responsibilities, new challenges and new opportunities for growth.

3. Personal reasons

If you are looking for the new job because of personal reasons, you may mention it during the interview. You may say that you are looking to change jobs because you have a family and want to relocate closer to them.

Mistakes in “Why Are You Looking For Another Job” Interview Question

This question may make or break your interview. How you answer it matters a lot. In as much as you want to be considered for the position, the worst thing you can do is appear desperate which is a turn off to any employer.

These mistakes will cut the interview short.

1. Talking about money

Yes, the pay you will be getting if you land this job is better than the peanuts you are using. The worst thing you can do is say that you are looking for another job because you want to earn a good salary. This only shows that you only care about the salary at the end of the month and not the job itself.

2. Saying because it’s a nice company

“I am looking to change jobs because this seems like a nice company to work for.” This is the worst mistake you could ever make when answering this question.

What happens when the company stops being nice, will you move on to another place. Think about that.

3. Bad mouthing your current employer

According to Mr. Wainaina, the worst mistake you can make in any interview is talking ill of your current employer. This will not make the employer hire you. Instead it will just cut the interview short and I can assure you that you will not be hearing from them anytime soon.

So there you go – three awesome ways of answering “why are you looking for another job” interview questions. Avoid the said mistakes and you are on your ways to landing your next gig.

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