The Inevitable Job Interview Question: "Why Did You Leave
(Are Planning To Leave) Your Last Position?" and How to
Deal With It.
This is a question that you can almost count on being asked
at your next interview 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. For instance, if you were to indicate that you
were bored or burned out at your last job, the interviewer
would quickly become concerned about your performance at
this company. The question can be especially tricky if
you've had less than favorable conditions regarding your
departure from a company. Regardless of the circumstances
that have caused you to move, or are causing you to think
about moving, you should be prepared to answer this
question.
Below are examples of possible answers to this critical
question. After reading them try to determine which is the
strongest answer.
(A) The company had a re-organization, and my department
was eliminated. The work had begun to dwindle so it was not
a complete surprise. I liked my job and the people I was
working with so I had been hoping that it wouldn't affect
us but unfortunately we were all let go. I would like to
find a job similar to the one I lost.
(B) I am looking for a new challenge. I have been with my
current company for two years now and don't find the work
as interesting as I once did. I am looking for a company
where I can take on new challenges and grow. My current job
is dead-ended for me.
(C) Since there are no advancement opportunities within the
company, I have decided it would be a good time for me to
look outside. I have set some career goals for myself that
I could not achieve at that company. What I am looking for
is a job with a bigger company where I can contribute, but
also move on a career path that has more responsibility.
Have you selected the strongest answer? See if you agree
with the advice below.
The Strongest Answer
(A) This is the strongest answer, not because of the lay
off, but because it has an upbeat tone to it. You liked
what you did and were hoping it wouldn't happen. In other
words, if it hadn't been for something out of your control
you would still be there. The answer indicates a good
attitude about an unfortunate incident.
The Mediocre Answer
(C) This is an ok answer. It is natural to want to take on
more responsibility. It is also acceptable to quit a job. A
skilled interviewer would follow up with a question about
your career goals and why you think you can 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 common answers to this question is that you are
"looking for a challenge." An interviewer might be
concerned that if you were bored at your last job, you
might 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 there are ways of saying the same thing in a
way that will make a stronger impression. Before you head
out to your next interview consider preparing for this and
other difficult questions. A little time spent preparing
and scripting of your answers before the interview will
make a huge difference in the way you answer the question
during the interview. (Excerpts taken from "Boost Your
Interview IQ" – Carole Martin – McGraw-Hill
2004)
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Carole Martin is America's #1 Interview Coach. Celebrated
author, trainer, and mentor, Carole can give you
interviewing tips like no one else can. Her workbook,
"Interview Fitness Training" has sold thousands of copies
world-wide. Sign Up to Receive Free Weekly Interview Tips
at http://www.interviewcoach.com
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