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
***
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
I had to resign due to having too many interviews. I simply ran out of vacation time and had to resign in order to go to interviews for a great opportunity. The jobs I am looking at require multiple interviews and almost always a flight to another city.
I was doing a job that was just a place holder after getting downsized from my previous company after 20 years. I did not get the job just interviewed for and know I have more interviews to go before I land one. (Also the boss I left is angry because there were big projects they now have to take over…)
Some told me to take sick days but I felt that was fraudulent and unethical. Any advice on how to address this situation to potential employers?
Thank you for your advice.
Hi Joseph,
I think you can honestly say that “you left the job voluntarily because you were ready to pursue other full-time opportunities and did not want to give less than 100% of your energy to your employer during your search.”
Good luck,
Chandlee
hi! can u cite wbat are examples of personal reason in a job resignation? is low compensation reason a personal reason to be considered to state in a job interview. can u help me on this. i would want your professional advice and explanation. how about health concern is that considered a personal reason also or venturing into business? thanks and god bless!
Hi Arthur,
If you have left a job keep it simple. One way to answer this is to say that you left as you needed to dedicate yourself to helping your family through a tough time — and that you could not give your full 100% to the job given the circumstance. Then say that the situation has sense been resolved.
Never state low compensation — it sounds negative and more like a complaint.
Good luck and all the best,
Chandlee
Greetings. How can one best answer the question regarding reasons for leaving if one had to leave due to a hostile work environment and discrimination issues? Given the egregiousness of co-worker and management acts, I had to file a formal complaint and document breaches in policies after resigning. How should one answer under these circumstances. Thank you very much for any assistance you could provide.
Ernest,
This is a tricky question. I certainly don’t recommend giving permission on your application for employers to check references from your former supervisor. You need to know what is said when they call to verify your employment — typically employers have policies that say what they can and can’t say. I imagine they will be prohibited from discussing your complaint — and should only say “Ernest worked as a from ____ to _______, earning ______/year. He resigned on ________.”
Recommend you get advice on how to handle this from the place where you filed your discrimination claim — as well as the U.S. Department of Labor (if you are in the U.S.).
Be careful in interviews to speak neutrally about past bad experiences, you need to convey that you are not a “complainer.”
Good luck,
Chandlee
i joined a company 5 months back.it is a small company…they failed to pay the salary from last month.i just resigned that job and looking for the another job.I would like to know how to answer the question why u quit the last job
Hi Lakshmikanth,
I recommend you state that you left as the company was experiencing financial trouble to the extent that they were unable to pay employees. You can leave it at that.
Good luck and all the best,
Chandlee
I need a simple answer that “why you left your previous job”??
it sound something nagetive if deal with the honesty, lease help me.
I left my previous job because my boss totally took advantage of my hard work , and treated me poorly . He would come in hours late for his shifts, he would leave the work station dirty for me to clean up after him. Would schdule me to open and then to close. He asked me to come into work when I was in the hospital , because “he did not want to work . He was just really ridiculous !!!! I told the owner and the head of operations the true reason I was leaving. So what should I say to interviewers. I know it’s not great to say ” Well my boss was an a**” ? Please HELP!!!!
Tiffany,
I would not recommend saying that you left because “your boss was an A**.” I recommend saying that you left to pursue new opportunities and that the culture in some parts of the organization was not optimal for morale. That said, you need to make sure you don’t sound like a complainer — make sure you keep the focus and discussion positive.
If you have other contacts who can advocate for you in Operations and senior leadership, that would be preferable. Are these relationships in decent shape?
Best,
Chandlee
I am taking a voluntary termination from my current job due to possible drug test failure. I am doing this so I won’t get fired for drug testing and won’t have it on my resume. I have already filled out an application for another job. If my new employer asks why I terminated my former career, what shoul I say? It’s similar work.
Jonathan,
I can’t advise you on this as I don’t have expertise in this area. You need to be aware that many employers do drug tests prior to hiring, and that many companies will check references by companies prior to hiring as well.
Good luck,
Chandlee
Hi Chandlee,
I left a small law firm because my supervisor (the sole attorney’s assistant) was rude and condescending. I didn’t feel comfortable approaching her with my concerns either about her attitude or general questions on my assigned tasks. Although I never discussed this matter with my boss, I told him the real reason for leaving. If I include my former boss as a reference, am I risking him saying that I’ll leave at the first sign of trouble? Alternatively, if I leave this job out of my resume (I have another part-time), can my prospective employer find out my work history? Thank you!
Leni,
I recommend you speak with your former boss about this and list him as a reference. If you were at the job for more than six months, having the job on your resume will likely help you get an interview…when you are asked why you left, do not complain about your colleague — simply say you left as the job was not a fit for you.
Good luck,
Chandlee
Hello! I left my old employer 3 months ago for multiple reasons. The main issues were working 50-70 hours a week on 40 hr salary pay (which was causing stress at home and stress related health complications). I also didn’t get health insurance after two years of them telling me “soon.” My former boss knows all of this. What I didn’t tell my boss was that her coming in late and/or working from home most days was also a big factor in my stress because I couldn’t adequately communicate with her or explain that the expectations and work load were unhealthy and unmanageable. Also, my prior company’s credit seemed to be going down because the last month I was there, I was having issues setting up accounts with vendors due to unpaid bills from my employer. All of these are reasons I left, but I doubt a future employer would want to hear all of that. Any suggestions? Thank you!
Hi Heather,
Simply explain the facts without adjectives: you voluntarily left your job as you observed that the organization was operating in an uncertain financial state. As you were working 50 – 70 hours a week, you did not feel like you could adequately look for a new job while continuing to perform your job…
This should cover it.
Good luck,
Chandlee
i have resigned from my last job because i used to handle sub cash.and my head cashier used to do unethical things like rolling business of cash with customer.and everyday in evening there used to be short/difference in cash …whole day he used to go out n do business of cash with customers….n come in the evening n used to tally cash n everytime found difference in cash n coz of that i have to wait till the cash is not tallied. i even complained to hr, md but nothing then i have to resign…
Richa,
As I wasn’t there I don’t understand the situation in full: were you asked to resign because of the shortage in cash? If not, and you simply resigned because you didn’t feel you could work there — I think you could simply say that.
Please clarify the situation and let me know what you would like advice on if that is what you are looking for.
All the Best,
Chandlee
Hi,
My boss felt that i am under performing and put me on a performance improvement programme. However, this programme seems more like an legal reason for her to get rid of me. I was unfairly assessed on my performance and had brought it up to HR. HR had come back to me saying that they are unable to go to my boss on my behalf abt this. I feel that no matter wat, eventually i will be asked to leave. I have decided to leave my job.
So, what should I say to my new employer for quitting my current position?
Please help.
Thanks in a million.
Unhappy,
If you are in a current search and still employed — simply say that you were interested in trying something new. Don’t go negative about the job or dredge up any of the past complaints, volunteer information about the HR performance improvement plan, etc.
Based on what you’ve shared, I recommend a balancing act in your current work:
1. Explore future opportunities outside your organization with an eye on the future, and
2. Follow recommended steps to improve your performance — whether you agree with them or not — so that you have current income coming in.
Good luck, and keep us posted.
Best,
Chandlee
Hi Chandlee,
Thank you for the advice. I will keep them in mind. I forgot to tell you that I am in my current position for slightly more than a year and my current boss took over me about 4 months ago due to a reorganization of our dept. Would it be appropriate to say that I have a better place during my exit interview with my current company?
Also, should I say I am quitting due to the reorganization of my department to the new hiring manager?
I look forward to your reply.
Thank you!
Dear Unhappy,
You can simply say you are looking to transition following the reorganization of the department. Say nothing about the hiring manager. You want to show that you are able to work with multiple types of people.
Good luck and all the best,
Chandlee
Hello Heather,
I am filling out an application for the State of Connecticut. I have been at my current job for 7 years and I just want a change. My question is I worked for a Casino for 5 years. “99″ to “04″ I did not quite but I was let go due to not calling in on time for calling out on a shift. I couldn’t. I was having a seziure. I fought to keep my job but they denied me. I do not want to put that on my application. Yet if the state calls them they will say I was let go I believe. I do not remember the name of my supervisor. That was 8 years ago. I am in a bit of a pickle. there is no fibbing on a State Application nor would I think of doing that.
Thank you for any feedback,
Cat
Hi Cat,
Recommend that you — or someone you know who is in a hiring position at another organization and has done this before — call to verify your employment with the Casino. They likely have strict verbiage on what they can and cannot say. It’s possible they don’t even say that you were fired.
If you had a seizure and have a disability, I recommend using the job search resources and counseling services available through the Job Accommodation Network: http://askjan.org/
They can help you with strategy and suggestions on where to apply for new jobs and what to do.
Good luck,
Chandlee
Hi,
I have been working in this company for 2 years. Before I joined, the person who recruited me left the co. Before he left, he wanted to see, but was stopped by his boss. After I joined the co, I found out that the person who employed me left because he could get along with his boss. Both are strong headed persons.
Before I joined this co, I started looking for other jobs as I sensed the boss’s boss (is a lady) is not going to be an easy person to work with. However, I have not been successful with all the interviews I went through so far as they noticed I didn’t stay long in the job though I tried to tell them the co’s culture does not fit me well and they would tend to want me to give example which part of the co’s culture.
I must say the working environmnet is not conductive, but the prime reason is still the lady boss. Though driven is not a bad thing, she would make thing difficult for us, till we get complains from external parties on why we like to cancel/change executed transactions. I even have probia applying leave as the lady boss would bring forward the deadlines for all the reporting to make you slog and work hard before letting you off. Even when she is overseas, she will not let you off, she will send emails to give work, as though you will idle when she is not around. Now she said I am underperforming (she wants her staff to be a multtasker, but I am not. I am only capable of handling 2 tasks at the same time as I am very focused ) asking me to consider moving on. I don’t feel bitter when she told me that as i have been on the lookout for the past 2 years but just not able to convince the prospective employer the reason for leaving the co.
Appreciate your advice on how to give valid reason for wanting to quit.
Hi Pinky,
You don’t need to give an in-depth reason for leaving; you can simply say you are seeking a new opportunity when you apply. Keep the focus on the skills you want to be using and the job you want to do in the new job.
One of the things I notice in the above description is it is hard to read your words and questions here. I don’t understand for example this statement, “Before he left, he wanted to see, but was stopped by his boss.” Not sure what he wanted to see or what’s happening here. As a result, I don’t understand what is happening in the situation that you describe.
For most job search correspondence — such as cover letters and thank you notes — you need to be formal in your use of language: I don’t recommend using co. for company or 2 for two. It also seems to me that you haven’t proofread your comment to us; please do this in the future — otherwise, sometimes this lack of formality and spell checking can be the very thing which hurts you in the job search process.
Good luck and keep us posted,
Chandlee
Hi,
Recently i have quit my last job due to some personel reason , actually my father got paralytic attack , couple of months back ,since after that he’s bed ridden and my work location was far away from my home , where in daily up and down was not possible,that’s a reason i could’nt able to manage my proffesional and personel life togther , so i decided to quit and support my family and to find new job in my local place.
I have started searching for new opportunities .
Please help out with good anwser for question (i.e. why you left last organisation).
Appreciate your advice on how to convince opposite person.
Anish,
All you need to do is say you relocated to be closer to family.
Best of luck for you and your family.
All the Best,
Chandlee
Thankz a ton…
Hi
I was underachiever and my boss’s forced me to resigned from the Job after four month I have an opportunity for an interview. I am confused what to say in interview for the reason of resignation.
Hi Satish,
If asked, simply say that the job wasn’t a fit for you as it didn’t use your strengths. Know what your strengths are, have examples of how you can use them — and how the job you are applying for lines up with those strengths. If you need to, I recommend you seek out the books “Now Discover Your Strengths” or StrengthsFinder2.0 as a way to assess your strengths — the books will also provide suggestions on how to present your strengths to employers.
Good luck and all the Best,
Chandlee
hi! i just need your advise, can u help me on how to best answer a job interview question on why i left my last job. i’ve been working in a bank previously for several years now it came to my mind to quit and resign from my job. is it correct to say that i left my last job because i ventured into business with my friend a mini canteen or food canteen but i unfortunately it didn’t came out to be successful. can you help me further make my explanation even better? should i mention any other reason aside from that or no more? thanks and god bless! im hoping to hear from you soon.
Hi Arthur,
I’d simply say you left to pursue new opportunities — and that you were invited to help a friend launch a business for a fixed period of time. You’ve done that, you learned a lot that helped you understand the perspective of your former bank customers who were small business owners, and now you are ready for a new corporate challenge.
Good luck,
Chandlee
Would it sound negative to say that, “After spending 5 years on this job, there is no growth for me laterally or upwards. With my experience, I am looking forwarding to expand into a role that has an opportunity for growth”?
In reality, the company I work with likes to play favorites when hiring internally or likes to hire their buddies into a job opening even though I interviewed just fine. I’d rather not bring up the whole workplace politics as an answer though.
If it helps, I still currently employed at this job but pro-actively seeking job opportunities.
Hi Chuck,
I think it’s okay to simply say you are interested in seeking a fresh challenge in a new setting– and that you feel you’ve learned what you hoped to at this particular organization.
Good luck and all the best,
Chandlee
Hi Chandlee,
I’m not sure how to answer the question “why did you resign from your last job?”
I was asked by my supervisor to attend a meeting that was scheduled for my day off (friday). I’m salary and this was not inappropriate. I had an appointment and could not attend, even though my boss was adament about how important it was for me to be there. On Monday morning my boss gave me the choice of being terminated or resigning and said it was because I did not attend the meeting. I chose to resign.
The HR dept only gives dates of employment and I can ask my references to say that they don’t know why I resigned or that it was for personal reasons.
I am beign advised by friends to just say I resigned for personal reasons, but that will need an explanation which becomes a big fat lie to carry. I’d prefer to tell the truth but the story sucks.
This was my last conversation with a recruiter -
“I resigned” (why?), “my boss asked me to” (why?), “because I did not attend a meeting, I missunderstood the importance of attending the meeting” (really, that sounds extreme) “I thought so to.”
If you have any ideas how I can better respond, I’d certainly appreciate it!
thanks
Michelle
Michelle,
Best to just say that “the job was no longer a fit for you” and that you chose to move on. Tough situation. In general, “you are not paying me to do this” often comes across as a negative to employers — even when it shouldn’t. I think it’s best not to go into it.
Good luck,
Chandlee
I am leaving my current job because the company I work for has almost impossible work standards in regards to how to spend their corporate money in regards to running of the business. Also, my employees (due to their poor pay I’m sure) are disgruntled most of the time and I’m tired of their nonsense because due to the corporate constraints there is not much I can do to change their work environment.
What is the best way to explain that?
Laura,
My advice would be — if you can possibly stand it — to wait to leave until after you have another job secured as many people find it takes months in the current environment. When asked why you want to leave, say you are ready for a new opportunity — complaining about your current employer always leads one to question whether you will later complain about them — which is something you don’t want. (If you can afford not working for six months and are really miserable, then you may want to go ahead and work.
My general advice on how to answer this question is to NEVER use adjectives like “impossible,” “poor pay,” “disgruntled.”
If necessary, state only what can be objectively observed, “Over ten people have left my department in the last six months. Only one has been replaced.”
Good luck and all the best,
Chandlee
Hello,
I have recently resigned from my position before I was fired for poor performance. I feel that my performance was effected by the shear number of people in my office. I went from working in an office of 5 people to an office of over 60 people. My manager also agreed that that was probably one of the underlying reasons why I had poor performance. I have an interview tomorrow and I honestly don’t know how to answer the question regarding why I resigned or why the position was not a good fit for me without discouraging my potential employer.
Thanks for your help,
Sheryl
Hi Sheryl,
Simply state the facts: The office went from 5 to 60 and the culture ceased to be a fit for you. That should be enough for the employer — ideally.
Good luck with your interview and keep us posted.
All the Best,
Chandlee