How to Answer 'Why Are You Leaving Your Current Job?'

“Why are you leaving your current position?” is a common interview question that allows recruiters and interviewers to learn more about you. Interviewers are trying to understand your motivation for finding a new job, including whether you’re leaving voluntarily.

More than simply understanding if you were fired, the way you answer this question gives hiring managers a chance to understand your motivations and how they might apply in a new role. The way you answer this question will also reveal more about what kind of employee you will be if they hire you. Your answer can show how you get along with other employees, whether you’ll fit the company culture, and if you’re diplomatic in difficult situations.

Importantly, this answer can provide insight for a prospective employer into what you’re looking for in a new job based on your reasons for leaving your previous employer. Your reason for leaving your previous company speaks more to the person leaving the job than the company being left, so it’s best to be direct, stick to the facts, and focus on your future.

This job interview question gives a potential employer insight into your character. No matter your reasoning, it’s best to stay professional and diplomatic, avoiding getting too personal, while connecting your reasons to your career path. Here are 11 reasons for leaving a job:

1. 1. Balance: You can explain that you’re seeking greater work flexibility or work-life balance.
2. 2. Career advancement: This includes either looking for a higher-level position or a new position that is more in line with your long-term career goals.
3. 3. Growth opportunities: A common reason is simply looking for a better opportunity for growth in your career. This means you’re seeking new challenges, new skills, or leadership opportunities in a new role.
4. 4. Career pivot: This applies if you want to make a career change, be that a change in industry or type of company.
5. 5. Company size: You want to work for a company that is either larger or smaller than your current company.
6. 6. Company vision: Your current organization may have had a change in company vision, direction, or values that no longer align with your career goals.
7. 7. Environment change: After working for a company for a long time, you may be looking to experience a new work environment.
8. 8. Instability: You may have started a job search as a result of restructuring or instability at your current company (which includes layoffs within the company).
9. 9. Leadership change: You’re looking for a better opportunity following a change in management.
10. 10. Moving locations: You want to move to a new location where you are unable to continue your current role.
11. 11. Perfect fit: The opening you’re interviewing may simply be a great fit for your skillset and experience.

As with all interview questions, it’s best to prepare your answer in advance, and be ready for possible follow-up questions. Be honest about the situation you’re leaving, even if it wasn’t great, but make sure your answer doesn't highlight the negatives. Instead, tie in what you’ve learned and how you will be a perfect fit for the job you are applying for.

Ensure your response to this question is as clear as possible by practicing in front of a mirror, or with a friend or family member. Practicing your response can also help keep it concise while making sure feelings about your former employer are conveyed in a professional manner. Having a response ready can also boost your confidence heading into an interview.

While honesty is a priority when answering this question, there are still a few areas that you should avoid:

• Personal details and emotions: Since this question gives the interviewer insight into your character as a potential employee, it’s important to not badmouth your previous boss, co-workers, or company even if you didn’t leave on good terms. It’s fine to talk about challenges you faced in the pursuit of your career goals but do so without disparaging your previous or current employer.
• Discussing salary: Let the interviewer mention salary first. If that is among the reasons you’re leaving your current employer, you should still try to focus on the role, responsibilities, and how that fits your career goals.
• Being unprepared: This talking point should be kept under one minute, and discussions about your previous job kept to a minimum. This takes preparation, which will also help you avoid saying regrettable things—particularly if your departure from your previous company was an emotional one.
• Going off-topic: Keep your response career-related. Even if one of your reasons for leaving is something like wanting a shorter commute or more money, connect your answer to your career goals and aspirations first.

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