Why did you leave your last job?, How to Answer Tricky Interview Questions, Part 5

Here's part 5 of a piece from CareerBuilder that offers advice on how to answer tricky interview questions. Here's today's question and their response:

Why did you leave your last job?

Even if your last job ended badly, be careful about being negative in answering this question. Be as diplomatic as possible. If you do point out negative aspects of your last job, find some positives to mention as well. Complaining endlessly about your last company will not say much for your attitude.

I agree with the complaining part -- it never pays to do it in an interview -- but I think the question is a bit off (at least for me and for most job hunters). Instead, it should be, "Why do you want to leave your current job?" (in other words, you currently have a job and are thinking of leaving versus the assumed "you're out of work" thought underlying the original question).

There are several reasons why you may want to leave your job (like your boss is the Wicked Witch of the West), but only a handful of good responses you can give. Here is a sampling of some of them:

1. You've outgrown your position.

2. The current position is boring/not challenging enough.

3. You've reached the top height you can get to in your current company (and you're ready and able for bigger things).

You get the point. The idea is basically that you have more to offer and you're ready, willing, and able to take the next step in your career. Most companies will love this answer since it shows 1) you're currently employed and are not leaving because of some sort of character issue (which all employers dread), 2) you're ambitious, and 3) you are able to handle more responsibility (which your new job likely requires).

Here's a suggested answer I've used with success in the past:

Two reasons: First, I want more responsibility and challenge. Second, the situation I was promised when I took the job – additional spending, a turnaround mentality, and additional pay – are not going to materialize. While I love my current company, I need to move on for career and job satisfaction reasons.

So, what do you think? Any recommended changes?

Click here to read part 6 of this series.

Click here to read part 1 of this series.

Comments

[Kira]

That's one question that I look forward to being asked at my next round of interviews. I have never had enough work to do at my current job - I finish things so quickly that my supervisors cannot respond with the same speed. Which is why I am on the blogs all day. ;)