“Why are you looking to leave your current job?”

One job interview question you might overlook is your reason for leaving a job. It’s not just your friends and family who may want to know why you are thinking about moving on.

This is simple enough to answer to people you’re close to. But if a potential employer asks, it carries a lot more weight. Find out how to give the best answer if asked your reason for leaving a job.

Why is the interviewer asking about my job leaving reason?

Simply put, your reasons for leaving your current role are linked to your potential performance and level of engagement in the next. So, the hiring manager will ask you this question to give them clues about you, for example:

• What motivates and fulfils you?  
• What are your long-term goals and ambitions? 
• What type of company culture might suit you best?  

Explaining your reason to leave professionally will help your interviewer to judge your verbal and non-verbal communication skills.

The way you answer this question will either trigger or silence alarm bells in the mind of your interviewer. As such, it’s important to get it right.

Reasons for leaving a job: examples

The key to answering this question well is not to focus on what you dislike about your current role. Instead, shift the interviewer’s focus. Highlight the many other opportunities that you see in the position you’ve applied for. Ultimately, you want the interviewer to perceive you as a forward-thinking and proactive candidate who is looking to make a positive change in their career.

Good reasons for leaving could begin: “While I’ve learned a great deal in my current role, I believe it is now time to make a change, because…” From here, you have a platform to move your focus from the old to the new. For instance, you can go on to talk about your desire to develop. You can reference the skills that you’ve learned that will benefit the new employer. And then you might articulate how your experience makes you the ideal candidate.

Articulating your answers in this way means that the conversation always comes back to you. You’ve provided reasons for leaving work, whilst showing what you’ve learned and achieved, and the value you can bring.

What reasons can you give for leaving a job?

Here are some tips on how you can explain some of the most common reasons for leaving a job. Remember, always try to pivot the focus onto the new opportunity ahead.

Reason for leaving: You’re no longer learning in your current role

Straight away, the key point you want to get across here is that you want to develop and progress. In your answer, communicate that you have learnt a range of key skills in your current role. Then explain that these skills will be more effectively applied – and enhanced – elsewhere.

For example: “Whilst I have learnt a great deal in my current role, such as X and Y, I’m now looking for a new opportunity. I’d like to expand on my skills and experiences on a more consistent basis. I believe this opportunity will help me do that. As I’ve found, from my research, that your company has a commitment to lifelong learning.” 

Reason for leaving: You’re feeling undervalued in your current role

Here, the focus is on not the fact that you feel undervalued, but instead on what you’ve achieved.

For example: “In my current role, I am extremely proud to have achieved X and Y. However, I feel that now is the time to apply my skills to another company, with the hope of achieving more success and delivering more value to my next employer. Having read the job description, I believe I will be able to provide genuine value in X, Y and Z areas.”

Reason for leaving: You’re struggling to see how you can progress in your current role

This reason will apply to many candidates. Any prospective employer will understand, but it remains crucial to get your answer right.

For example: “I was promoted to a team-leading position, after several years with the company. However, the structure of the business has made further progression difficult. The chance to apply these skills to an innovative and forward-thinking environment is simply too good an opportunity to miss.”

Reason for leaving: Your relationship with your current boss isn’t as productive and supportive as it should be

Here, you shouldn’t focus on what is wrong with the person you work for right now. Instead, you must turn the attention to the new boss and impress them with the knowledge you’ve acquired so far.

For example: “I’ve learned a great deal from my current employer, but I’m keen to work in a more collaborative environment. I was particularly impressed to learn that your company operates with a unified communications system, which gives every member of the team the chance to be involved in all stages of the work.”

Top tips for answering “why are you looking to leave”

You’ve probably noticed a consistent theme running through these example answers. The focus is always on you and your potential new employer – not on the role you want to leave.

When preparing an interview answer, remember to:

• be positive & forward-looking.
• explain why you are the ideal candidate for the new role.
• demonstrates your career goals.
• avoid negative comments about your current role.
• be open and honest about your reason for leaving a job.

Lastly, no matter how much you dislike your current role, badmouthing your previous employer won’t sell you to the new one. Even if you genuinely believe you aren’t currently being paid enough, try to focus on the future instead. Saying that you haven’t learned anything in your current role definitely won’t reflect well on you either. Focus your answer on the future, and don’t dwell on what will hopefully soon be your past.

“Why are you looking to leave your current job?” is indeed an extremely common interview question. It is also a fantastic opportunity for you to showcase your proactive mindset. Consider this an opportunity to demonstrate dedication to delivering value to your next employer. 

Have you got a job interview coming up? These blogs will help you answer some of the most common interview questions:

• “So,  talk me through your CV”
• “Why do you want this job?”
• “Tell me about a time you failed”
• “So, tell me about yourself”