One of the most common questions you can expect in a job interview, second only to tell me about yourself, is why did you leave your last job? Since this question has such a profound impact on how your future employer will judge you, it’s important to prepare yourself with an answer that doesn’t make you look bad or give them any reason to disqualify you from the position. Here are five tips to help you effectively answer this difficult question at your next job interview.
Don’t Use Trite Answers
We’ve all heard I was looking for a better opportunity, or I wanted a job that better fit my skillset, but when it comes time to answer why you left your last job in an interview, don’t fall back on trite answers. Instead, have specific examples prepared. For example: I left my last job because I wanted more responsibility and wasn’t able to grow within that position.
Show Them a Personal Experience
We often forget that interviewers are people too. By telling them a story about something you learned from your last job, you demonstrate that you can communicate effectively and work well with others. Remember: Interviews are about selling yourself—and storytelling is a tried-and-true method of doing just that. For example, by telling an interviewer about how you learned a new skill or solved a challenge as part of your job, you’re showing them what kind of person you are. Do it well and they’ll know exactly who they’re hiring.
Let Them Know You Belong in the Position
So many applicants leave their previous jobs on bad terms. While employers want to know why you left and what motivated you, they are more interested in finding out whether or not you will stay at their company long-term. If there was a specific reason why you had to leave, be sure to highlight how those issues will not affect your work at a new company. Be positive about leaving your last job and emphasize how excited you are about joining a new team.
Show That It Will Not Happen Again
If you left your last job because of intolerable working conditions, it’s absolutely essential that you show that those conditions won’t exist at your next job. For example, if you left because of a bad boss and poor teamwork, make sure to emphasize that you don’t just want a new boss and some new teammates—you want an office environment where people are treated respectfully and are given ample opportunities to collaborate with one another. This is a good time to speak up about things like open communication channels and clear lines of responsibility. If an interview question keeps coming up during each subsequent interview—be honest in describing how your circumstances have changed since then.
Explain that You Learned Something New
Sometimes you need to say that you learned something new. Sometimes things are just not a good fit, but there are good reasons. It is important to show that you have learned from your previous job experience, and explain why it was time for a career change and how you plan on making it happen. This will show your motivation and how professional of an employee you will be. Always remember that interviews are two-way streets. The employer is interviewing you as much as or more than you’re interviewing them (you want them also). You need to prove that they need YOU!
Conclusion
The key to answering why did you leave your last job interview question is a matter of communication. Don’t get bogged down in trying to find a single, shiny answer. Come up with a few good reasons and then pick one that you can expand on more than others. Also, don’t assume that your interviewer is only interested in negative answers – sometimes it can be just as helpful (and positive) to talk about what you learned from an experience as well as how much you enjoyed it. Just make sure that whatever reason you choose, it sounds genuine and believable. Remember, people like hiring people they believe in – so make sure they have no reason not to believe in you!