Going through the job interview process is seldom easy. There are always questions that make you uncomfortable or just leave you a bit flustered. Questions like, Where do you see yourself in five years? and Why should we hire you? are always tough ones to answer on the spot. Invariably, if you were previously employed, you will be asked, What is the reason for leaving your job? Based on your individual circumstances, this can be a really loaded question. So, what’s the best way to handle it?
- Featured in:
How Not to Explain Your Reasons for Leaving a Job
I was unhappy
You were not challenged in your last position
You did not get along with your boss or coworkers
How to Describe Why You Left Your Last Job
I did not see my career progressing at my last job
I felt that I had learned everything I could at my previous job so I am now seeking a new challenge
I am seeking to work with a bigger company that offers more opportunities for professional growth
In general, says career strategist Lidia Arshavsky, “redirect your answer to talk about why the job you’re applying to is a fresh opportunity to use your talents to the fullest. Focus on the fact that you are looking to grow by being exposed to new perspectives and new workplace mentors.”
Ultimately, you want to turn the question of why you left your last job into an opportunity to talk about why you’re a good fit for the new one.