This guide will help you formulate an answer that\u2019s just right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Are Good Reasons for Leaving a Job?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Before we discuss how to explain your reasons for leaving a job, let’s talk about reasons to leave a job, good and bad!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The reasons you’re leaving your job are ultimately yours \u2014 meaning they are good enough reasons no matter what they are! But being good enough reasons for you doesn’t mean they are good reasons to share in a job interview.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are some good reasons for leaving a job that you can share in an interview.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Looking for More Responsibility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moving ahead in your career often means taking on additional responsibilities so you can grow and master new skills, like leadership<\/a> or project management<\/a>. Some companies and jobs don’t offer these opportunities, and that can hamper your ability to take your career to the next level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just like some jobs don’t offer increased responsibility, some jobs also don’t offer growth and development opportunities. If your current company doesn’t support your desire to learn and grow, you’ll end up stuck in the same role for years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For many people, a job is more than a way to earn money. It also brings them fulfillment and joy. But sometimes, your current role or the company’s values don’t align with yours. It’s possible you didn’t ask the hiring manager the right questions<\/a> during the interview. Or there’s been a shift in the company culture<\/a>, and you no longer want to work there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you received a notice that you’re going to be laid off, you’ve already been laid off, or you’re seeing red flags everywhere, your current company having significant financial difficulties may be a very good reason for leaving a job!<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may be perfectly happy in your current role and aren’t actively searching for the next one. But the recruiter<\/a> reached out to you on LinkedIn<\/a>, and the job sounded interesting. That doesn’t mean you’re going to leave your current role for sure, but you’re now thinking about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are no “bad” reasons for leaving a job, only ones you shouldn’t mention during your job interview!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wanting a shorter commute is a perfectly good reason for leaving a job. But your answer should always be related to the role and your career. You want to talk about how the job doesn’t fit your goals anymore, not that you hate being stuck in traffic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t Uncover the tips and tricks for interview success in this free course from BCLP. You'll learn how to ace a video interview, the online skills assessment, and more.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\tAvg. Time:<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t4-5 hours\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\tSkills you’ll build:<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tVideo interviewing, public speaking, organization, time management\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Working someplace where you don’t get along with everyone else is also an excellent reason for leaving a job. However, you shouldn’t mention it as it could cause the recruiter or hiring manager<\/a> to wonder if you’re the problem. It’s best to leave interpersonal relationships out of your answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether your company doesn’t give out raises or bonuses (it happens!), you feel you’re underpaid, or your company has a wage freeze that shows no signs of ever thawing, salary concerns are another good reason for leaving a job. But, like the other “bad” reasons for leaving a job, don’t mention it during the interview. While things are changing, saying your job search is motivated by money is still taboo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That doesn’t mean you can’t ask about salary<\/a> during the interview. If that’s a deal-breaker for you, you should! But stating that money is the only reason you’re leaving a job is not a good look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Boring” is a relative term, and if that’s your reason for leaving a job, you may find yourself answering more questions about why you’re leaving than you’d like. If the work is boring, why is it boring? Have you asked for more challenging work? And if it’s not being given to you, why not? Does your boss think you can’t handle it? Are you unreliable?<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s best to leave this “reason” out of your answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes people are put on notice that they need to improve their performance or they will be fired. Instead of taking the chance of being fired, they may decide to look for another job. If this is your reason for leaving a job, don’t mention it \u2014 it would likely be a major red flag to the interviewer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Employers ask your reasons for leaving a job to learn a few things about you. For starters, they want to understand your current relationship with your company and job. Are you leaving your old role because you\u2019re looking for new challenges or because the company was bought out, and you\u2019re not sure how safe your position is?<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t Practice your technical interview skills in this free course from Girls Who Code. You'll learn how to master the whiteboard challenge, tackle take home assessments, and more.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\tAvg. Time:<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t5-6 hours\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\tSkills you’ll build:<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhiteboard challenge, data science, hash table, array, matrix\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t This helps the employer understand what you want from your next job and gives the interviewer context as to how this job may (or may not) fit your career plans<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, employers ask why you\u2019re looking for a new job to measure if you\u2019re a good fit for the role in two ways. For example, let’s say you\u2019re looking for a role that helps you develop your managerial skills, but there are no management duties associated with the job you applied for. If that’s the case, you probably won\u2019t be happy there. And, if the company has a flat organization or doesn\u2019t have a lot of formal hierarchy or titles, you may not be a good cultural fit for the company since it doesn’t really have the management track you\u2019re looking for in a new job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some interviewers will be direct and ask you to explain why you\u2019re looking for a new job. However, there are other ways an employer can ask why you want to leave your current role:<\/p>\n\n\n\n To create a winning answer, Amira Hernandez, assistant director of career services at Oxford College of Emory University, offers this advice: \u201cCouch your response in diplomatic, professional, and positive terms.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, you should avoid creating a one-size-fits-all answer. Hernandez notes that this is an opportunity for you to tailor your answer to the specific company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cConsider how this question invites you to emphasize your desire to work for an organization that offers you greater professional development<\/a> opportunities; better aligns with your values; supports a change in your life; or desire to develop a new professional skill set,\u201d she says. \u201cIn short, a strong answer will emphasize how this job will support the vision that you have for moving forward in your professional life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s how to frame your reasons for leaving a job. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You might have multiple reasons for leaving a job and a detailed story that explains your motivations. However, keep the answer brief, professional, and light on details. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Like answering any interview question, you don\u2019t want to ramble. Not only could that make it seem that you\u2019re not confident in your response or are anxious about the interview, there\u2019s a chance you could say things that you shouldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, if one of the reasons for leaving the job is that you don\u2019t think you\u2019ll ever move up the career ladder, don\u2019t talk about how it\u2019s because the company is small and people don\u2019t leave very often, so higher-level positions never open up and you don\u2019t think the company will give you a title change because that\u2019s just something they don\u2019t do\u2026 so, you\u2019re kind of stuck and want to get unstuck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead, focus on the fact that your current company is small and it\u2019s very difficult to move up. It\u2019s simple, to the point, and very professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s possible you\u2019ve had a negative experience at your current job, and that\u2019s why you\u2019re leaving. However, no matter how negative the experience, you want to frame it in a positive light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Using the above example, you could say your reason for leaving the job is, \u201cI\u2019ve stalled and can’t move up at my current company.\u201d It\u2019s short, which is good. However, it\u2019s not a positive way to frame the answer. The hiring manager may wonder why<\/em><\/strong> you\u2019ve stalled. Is it because your boss is a passive-aggressive micromanager who\u2019s punishing you for petty reasons? Or is it because you aren\u2019t completing tasks, come in late, leave early, and can\u2019t collaborate<\/a> with your teammates?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead, you could say, \u201cI\u2019ve gone as far as I can in this role and am looking for a position that offers more career advancement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keeping the answer positive (as well as brief) limits the possibility of the hiring manager asking follow-up questions you may not have a good answer for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While this tip applies to the last part of your answer, it\u2019s crucial to keep it top of mind. The second half of your answer should explain why you\u2019re interested in this particular role. If you\u2019re not sure where to start, think about your elevator pitch<\/a> or the \u201cfuture\u201d part of your answer to the \u201ctell me about yourself\u201d interview question<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Are you trying to move up the career ladder? Broaden your skill set? Have you been working at start-ups and want something more stable and predictable? Or the opposite?<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t Master the essential skills for career success in this free course from the National Urban League. Learn how to create your elevator pitch, network with industry professionals, and more.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2. Wanting Education and Training<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Value Alignment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Your Company Is Going Out of Business (or Already Has!)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. The Recruiter Contacted You<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What Are ‘Bad’ Reasons for Leaving a Job?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Something Unrelated to Work<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/theforage.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/408f442b1a38a2e967c6b9646891569c-150x90.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tInterview Success<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
2. I Hate My Boss or Coworkers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Salary<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Work Is Boring<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. You’re Underperforming<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Why Do Employers Ask Why You\u2019re Leaving Your Job?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"two](\"https:\/\/theforage.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/software-engineer-150x100.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTechnical Interview Prep<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Other Ways Employers Ask About Your Reasons for Leaving a Job<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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How to Answer \u2018What Are Your Reasons for Leaving a Job?\u2019<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Keep It Short<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Stay Positive<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Talk About the Future<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"student](\"https:\/\/theforage.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/career-readiness-150x88.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCareer Readiness<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t