Having a Problem Answering, Why Did You Leave?, During Your Job Interviews?

The Inevitable Job Interview Question: “Why Did You Leave (Are Planning ToLeave) Your Last Position?” and How to Deal With It.

This is a question that you can almost count on being asked at your nextinterview What the interviewer wants to know is, “Why are you available?”

The answer you give could set the tone for the rest of the interview. Forinstance, if you were to indicate that you were bored or burned out at yourlast job, the interviewer would quickly become concerned about your performanceat this company. The question can be especially tricky if you’ve had less thanfavorable conditions regarding your departure from a company. Regardless of thecircumstances that have caused you to move, or are causing you to think aboutmoving, you should be prepared to answer this question.

Below are examples of possible answers to this critical question. Afterreading them try to determine which is the strongest answer.

(A) The company had a re-organization, and my department was eliminated. Thework had begun to dwindle so it was not a complete surprise. I liked my job andthe people I was working with so I had been hoping that it wouldn’t affect usbut unfortunately we were all let go. I would like to find a job similar to theone I lost.

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(B) I am looking for a new challenge. I have been with my current companyfor two years now and don’t find the work as interesting as I once did. I amlooking for a company where I can take on new challenges and grow. My currentjob is dead-ended for me.

(C) Since there are no advancement opportunities within the company, I havedecided it would be a good time for me to look outside. I have set some careergoals for myself that I could not achieve at that company. What I am lookingfor is a job with a bigger company where I can contribute, but also move on acareer path that has more responsibility.

Have you selected the strongest answer? See if you agree with the advicebelow.

The Strongest Answer

(A) This is the strongest answer, not because of the lay off, but because ithas an upbeat tone to it. You liked what you did and were hoping it wouldn’thappen. In other words, if it hadn’t been for something out of your control youwould still be there. The answer indicates a good attitude about an unfortunateincident.

The Mediocre Answer

(C) This is an ok answer. It is natural to want to take on moreresponsibility. It is also acceptable to quit a job. A skilled interviewerwould follow up with a question about your career goals and why you think youcan achieve them at this company.

Would you have an answer prepared for that follow-up question?

The Weakest Answer

(B) This is the weaker answer because it is trite. One of the most commonanswers to this question is that you are “looking for a challenge.” Aninterviewer might be concerned that if you were bored at your last job, youmight find this job boring as well, or at least not “challenging” enough.

There are no “right” or “wrong” answers to this type of question, but thereare ways of saying the same thing in a way that will make a strongerimpression. Before you head out to your next interview consider preparing forthis and other difficult questions. A little time spent preparing and scriptingof your answers before the interview will make a huge difference in the way youanswer the question during the interview. (Excerpts taken from “Boost YourInterview IQ” – Carole Martin – McGraw-Hill 2004)