Answering: “Why Do You Want To Leave Your Current Job?”

One of the most common questions interviewers ask is, “Why do you want to leave your current job?” Employers want to know why you’re leaving so they can learn more about what’s important to you in a job and how you handle undesirable situations.

There are several ways to answer this question, so take time before your interview to prepare a thoughtful answer that will give your interviewer confidence about the decision to hire you. Here are a few examples of how to answer, as well as some tips on choosing the best option for you.

Common reasons for leaving a job

• Your values no longer align with the company mission
• You’d like additional compensation
• The company you worked for went out of business
• You feel undervalued in your current role
• You are looking for a new challenge
• You want a job with better career growth opportunities
• You had to leave due to family or personal reasons
• You decided to relocate to a new city

How to answer “Why do you want to leave your current job?”

1. Be clear about your reasons for exiting

Take time to write down all the reasons you’re looking for a new opportunity. If you’re not sure about what they are, consider the following questions to get started:

• What are your values?
• What are your career goals? Where do you want to be in five years? 10 years?
• What are your needs in a workplace environment? What do you need in a job?
• What do you like about your position? What do you dislike?
• What are your relationships like with coworkers? Managers?
• What industry do you want to be in?
• Are you passionate about your company’s mission?
• Does your current situation align with these answers? Why or why not?

After you’ve written your answers down, circle a couple of key reasons you want to give in your interview. You should select reasons that stand out as professional rather than personal. For example, you may be looking for a new job because of a recent life change such as a marriage or move—these are not the reasons you should lead within the interview.

2. Keep your answer short

Though it’s important to fully answer your interviewer’s question in explaining why you want to leave your job, keep your response to around one or two sentences. Then, point the conversation back to why you’re the best person for the job.

3. Stay positive

Even if negative experiences have informed your decision to leave a job, it’s extremely important to find a positive way to explain your desire to move on. Employers want to hire problem solvers who can work through difficult situations. Focus on the skills you learned in your current role, good relationships you may have built with your coworkers or positive interactions you had with customers or stakeholders.

For example, instead of, “I don’t like my manager. I’ve tried talking to him, but it looks like I have to find a new job,” try something like, “In my current role, I’ve learned many new skills. I’m looking for a position in which I can continue to grow that skill set in new circumstances.”

4. Be honest without being too detailed

When answering this question, you don’t need to go into all the details. If you find your current job unsatisfying, there is always a way to share that without disparaging your current employer. Keep your answer focused and short, and move the conversation back towards why you are excited about the opportunities ahead of you.

It’s important to keep in mind that the company you’re interviewing with may contact your previous employer, so what you’ve told them should be in line with what they’ll learn in those conversations. If you’re unemployed, be honest about that situation as well. If they get in contact with your previous employer to confirm start dates, salary range or get a reference, this could hurt your chances of getting the offer if you’ve provided different information.

Not sure how to go about answering this question? Book a mock interview coaching session here!