Hi Ronnie Ann!
My friend needs your advice. Recently she quit her job. One of the difficulties she is facing is answering the interview question “Why did you leave your job?”
She happened to leave the job as she was not given a promotion, she believed she deserved. She did not gave her employer the same reason for quitting the job. Now when she is asked the reason for quitting her job in interviews, she is not sure whether to tell the truth or give some other excuse.
She asked for my advice and I thought you would be the best person to answer this.
It would be great if you could help out.
Regards,
Jay
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Hi Jay!
Nice of you to want to help your friend.
I just posted something that may not at first seem related since it’s about someone who was essentially forced to resign after 15 years at the same company:
Job Interview: Reason for Leaving Your Job After 15 Years
But the advice is basically the same.
First…when dealing with the reason you left your last position, stay positive about the last job – never ever talk about how awful they were or how badly they treated you or how you didn’t get what you deserved. That’s all sour grapes to a potential new employer and would only brand her as high maintenance.
As in the example, (although her answer would be a little different of course) when she answers the question, she should lead and end with positive strength. In the middle, it’s usually good to talk about something like looking for new opportunity and challenges and in her situation, room for growth. And if she feels more comfortable with a shorter answer, then she can just talk about what she’s looking for which will cover most of it.
In your friend’s case, since she gave her other company a reason, and since there will be reference checks, it’s probably a good idea to make sure what she tells a potential new employer at least gels with what she told her last employer. Since I don’t know what it was, I can’t give you an example. I just hope she told them something that won’t trip her up – for instance that she wants to stop working altogether or leave the industry that she’s still interviewing in. But odds are, if she’s clever, she can make that work.
Now…although I said be clever, I want to emphasize I don’t mean slick. What she says has to ring true to both herself and the interviewer, or she’ll come across as two-dimensional and maybe even phony. Luckily, looking for new challenges and job growth are both excellent reasons for anyone to seek a new job or career.
I wish her much luck. She’s lucky to have a good friend like you, Jay. Please keep us posted!
~ Ronnie Ann
Hi Nelly,
Believe it or not, the best answer is the truth. Otherwise you risk getting caught in the lie…and you also lose authenticity when you give the phone interview; this shows. It’s ok to say that you knew pretty soon away it wasn’t a good fit (no need for details) and learned what it is that you do want. Then make sure you show why the new job is the right fit.
Just a note: You’ll have a much better chance if it’s the truth, so go seek out places that match your values and interests. Good luck!
I am really concerned about what to say.I left this certain job because I was learning new stuff that just basically was different from what I was used to.Different math,measuring stuff.I hate to admit I was plain old afraid of new surroundings.My most lengthy job was over 25 years.It was hard to rearrange my brain.Maybe you are too young to know what it feels like ….Heres the example!! Did you see Shawshank Redemption? Remember when Brooks was released from prison after all those years and was afraid of adjusting to a non prison life?That is an awful feeling. I had to throw this out there. I will sign out as “The truth shall set you free!”Go ahead and expound some more Ronnie Ann! thanks..
Thanks for your comment, Oh boy what to do! Nice moniker.
I have seen and thoroughly enjoyed Shawshank Redemption. Great analogy. As Lina suggests below, there are answers that don’t demand sharing every detail. Honesty is one thing…TMI (too much information) is another. Sometimes just saying it wasn’t the right job, but it helped me see what I really do want…or something like,. that. of course, the rest of that would be why THIS job is exactly what you want.
And btw…taking a class one day in what you were afraid of, just for your own sake and all on your own timing, can be very freeing. Best of luck!
It is my understanding (because my friend is an HR Manager) that at least in Florida, they only provide dates of employment, salary and position. They usually try to avoid giving more information per liability issues. Now, if I was your friend, I will provide the phone number of an HR representative instead of her former boss. Another thing is, everything depends on how she presents herself when being interviewed and asked that question. She can always say: ” I resigned my job because I am interested in a new challenge and an opportunity to use my skills and experience in a different capacity than I have in the past.” or “After several years in my last position, I’m looking for an company where I can contribute and grow in a team-oriented environment”. I hope everything works out good for her…
Thanks, Lina!
Good information. It’s true that in some states, and also written into some company policies, you can only say so much. Although when I did reference checking, I didn’t stop at just HR folks (if candidates didn’t give me employer or co-worker names, I asked); and I sometimes learned a lot from tone, even if they could not tell me anything that violated policy. But your advice to try to provide an HR name is a good idea. I also really like your suggestions for ways to handle the question.
MUCH appreciated. Good luck in your own career!
So, would the “why you left” & “why you are looking to leave fall under same umbrella” ??
I was just posed this question a few days ago. I am not sure I even remember my answer as I was prob mumbly and nervous, But it’s pretty much me feeling like I don’t matter at my current position and looking for a place to grow and know my contributions count and are appreciated. (Would that be a BAD thing to Say, I mean it’s the TRUTH yet im not sure if thats NEG talking employer)
Basically, the answer is yes. A similar approach is a good idea. Where possible, best to stay away from the blame and focus on what you want for the future and what you can do for them.
Part of what you said could open up a few questions. See Talking About Former Employers in Interviews But the rest sounds good and clearly shows you are being honest and moving forward with a positive attitude.
In the future, you can add a reason why this particular job is what you’re looking for; that helps a lot. But hopefully, you’ll get good news and won’t have to worry about how to interview for a long time!
Good luck, EES! Please let us know what happens.
Well, It’s been awhile & actually shortly after I first wrote my post I found out I didn’t get the job. I REALLY feel like its hard for me to explain why I am leaving or wanting to leave my current. The place I work is a HUGE CORP & on the outside looking in I just feel whenever I interview people are like “Oh!, so you wanna leave @#$%……. But I cant go to the interview and say its a weird feeling when you have a day or 2 off and come back to work people automatically think you were fired because its such a common occurrence
I’m so sorry you didn’t get the job. The best advice I have is to sit down in a quiet room and write every reason you can think of why you want to leave. Then write what you would want from an ideal job. Don’t think too much or censor any thoughts. This is only for you. Just write anything that pops into your head. Now look at both lists, and try to come up with the most positive version of why you want to leave that shows some way you aren’t being challenged now or some areas you don’t get to pursue in this job that EACH new job you apply for can offer you. The most important thing is for YOU to really believe it and feel excited by what the new job offers that you don’t have now. When you really feel and believe, it shows.
BTW…I’ve worked for huge companies that I wanted to leave. But also important to make sure you’ve explored all possibilities in other divisions or departments.
Good luck, EES!
Mave wrote to say she got the job! Congratulations!!
Here are her words:
“Thank you for your advice. After actively looking and praying, I managed to get
a new job. Hope this job will be a lot better than all my previous jobs
Thanks again and will keep reading your articles from time to time.”
I am so glad you let us know, Mave. I wish you much happiness and success in your new job. Each one is a fresh beginning. You are always welcome here.
I have a similar situation. I left my job after seven months due to work related stress. The main issue is the job was too high level for me. They were in the process of writing the new job description while recruiting me, so I did not realize just how high-level it was until I had been there a few months. Since I left, they posted the position (not posted at time I was interviewing) and it was apparent from the description that I was not qualified.
The OTHER issue, which I am not sure I should let potential employers know, is that there was a toxic work environment in my department. After I was hired, several other members of my department cam to me independently to warn me to “watch my back” and about the personality of the head of the department. I know this will sound like sour grapes but it was a very real issue.
How to address, at the interview of even before? I am concerned that it may look odd on my resume… should I say anything about the reason for leaving in my cover letter?
Thanks for your guidance!
Hi Heather!
I’m so sorry you got brought into an unsure, still unwritten job situation. Not your fault, but must have been very difficult. Sometimes these things are blessings in disguise, because they really do help you think about what you do and don’t want. And that’s a good thing for the rest of your career.
In interviews, I’d stay away from any mention of toxicity and turn to the truth about the job itself. “They were in the process of writing the new job description while recruiting me, so I did not realize just how high-level it was until I had been there a few months.” All you have to add is that you did your best anyway, but it just wasn’t the right fit; but it helped you better define the kind of job you do want for yourself. And then add some well-thought-out words about why this job is such a great fit for you and your skills. Or something like that.
Good luck!
Hi Ronnie,
I am now 26yr old and I have a situation now that I have left the previous employer where I worked for about 2.5 years and now I want to join a new company. In every Interview I face they used to ask me “why did u quit your previous job” and “why do u want to work for us ” It doesn’t get anything on to my mind why they ask so. I also feel nervous about the interview that whether I could aswer to their questions or not or what question they would ask me. Please help me with what i have to say when they ask me so. Also I want to know what should be the attitude of mine when I face interview and the tone of my voice when I aswer to their questions.