7 ways to respond to “Why do you want to leave your current job?” in an interview

A job interview can be a stressful experience, and it’s easy to feel like your prospective employer is trying to catch you off guard. One common question that can seem more difficult than it really is “Why do you want to change jobs?”.

This is often asked as a way of assessing your loyalties, integrity, and willingness to take on new challenges. Interviewers will expect you to have a convincing answer, so read on for simple tips to ace this question and impress recruiters.

1. Why are recruiters asking this question?

This is a question that has been asked of job applicants for decades. It also happens to be one of the most common interview questions out there. Recruiters ask this question for a few reasons. First, it might be an attempt to sniff out any potential red flags in your work history. 

If you’ve moved jobs frequently, the hiring manager may wonder why you’ve jumped ship so many times. They might also be concerned that you’re not happy in your current position and looking for a way out. 

If you’re constantly switching jobs with no reason behind it, it could also be a sign of problems ahead. Another reason recruiters ask this question is to see if you’re interested in advancement.

A hiring manager might ask this question to gauge your ambitions and whether you’re ready to take on a new role or challenge.

2. Why do people change jobs?

People pursue new jobs for a variety of reasons, so it’s important to understand why you want to change jobs ahead of your next interview. 

Some of the most common reasons include: 

A change in salary

If you’re leaving a position for a new job, you may be looking for a pay raise. It’s important to remember that your new employer will want to know why you’re leaving your current job, and how much you want in your new position. 

A change in career path 

You may be hoping to move in a new direction and see a new job as a chance to do so. If you’re interested in a new career path or need to break into a new industry, a new job could be a good opportunity.

Company culture 

You may have loved your job but decided to pursue a new opportunity because of the way your company operates. You may have been unhappy with the culture, management structure, or feel you’re not growing enough in your current position. 

More work-life balance 

Some people change jobs to pursue a new position with a better work-life balance. If you’re looking to pursue side projects, spend more time with family, or just need a couple extra hours of work each day, a new job could be a good option.

A change in location 

You may have loved your job but decided to look for something different because of the location. Maybe you’re moving to discover new cultures, step out of your comfort zone, or you’re trying to move closer to family.

3. Provide context

What is your current job title? Your interviewer wants to know what role you currently fill, so it’s important to share your title. If you are changing jobs, this is a great opportunity to tell the hiring manager why you are moving on after just a few months or years.

What is your ideal job title? If you’re looking to change jobs, you’ll want to provide some details. Are you hoping to move into a management role? Are you interested in a specific field?

4. Be honest but tactful

If you want to change jobs to break into a new industry or pursue a new career, you’ll want to tell the truth and be clear about your reasons. There’s no shame in wanting to pursue a new field with new challenges and opportunities. 

How long have you been at your current job? If you’ve only been at your current job for a few months, you may want to explain why you decided to make the move after a short time. 

If you want to leave your current job, you’ll want to be honest about your reasons. You can also want to share your future ambitions and the path you want to pursue.

5. Don’t complain about your current job

Don’t mention the things you dislike about your job. Instead, focus on how you’re ready for a new challenge and the benefits of switching jobs will extend beyond your salary and title. 

You can also use this opportunity to address common interview questions about what you don’t like about your current job. For example, if you’re tired of long hours, you can explain how you’re looking for a new opportunity that allows you to balance work and life.

6. Mention growth and development opportunities

You can ease the concerns of a recruiter by explaining how you’re ready for a new challenge and ready to take full advantage of opportunities for growth and development.

7. Mention a role you’re specifically interested in

You need to be specific about the type of role you want to pursue. If you’re hoping to break into a new industry, you may need to pursue a job you’re not currently qualified for. 

You can ease your hiring manager’s concerns by explaining how you’re pursuing a job you’re passionate about and are prepared to put in the time and effort to succeed.

Conclusion

Overall, it’s important to remember that as an applicant you have control over the situation. You can control how you respond to questions and how you portray yourself. It’s also important to remember that the hiring manager is interviewing you as much as you are interviewing them. 

In order to come out ahead, you need to be prepared to ask the right questions, be confident in your responses, and portray yourself in the best possible light. With these tips in mind, you should be well equipped to tackle any questions thrown your way during an interview. 

From how long you’ve been at your current job to why you want to change jobs, you should be able to provide confident, concise answers that strengthen your candidacy.

 

💡During a job interview recruiters might have unintentional biases that can affect your chances of getting hired. These are 4 biases that you should be aware of. Read more here →