How To Answer ‘Why Do You Want To Leave Your Current Job?’

This answer was originally published on Quora by Adam Seabrook


This is a trap question many hiring managers love to ask. They are usually trying to lure you into saying negative things about your current role. As the Co-founder of Betterteam (a recruitment platform for small businesses) I do a lot of work with hiring managers to help them streamline their recruitment process so have great visibility into why they ask the things they do.

So if this question is asked smile and stick to nothing but positive answers. Never say anything negative even if they press you on the point or try to guide you that way.

Talk about your achievements

Use this as an opportunity to reel off all the great things you did individually and more importantly as part of a team. Throw a few “I did” in but also a lot of “we did” to show you are successful as an individual and as part of a team.

Talk about what you learned

This is important as they want to see you have a sponge like abillity to learn, grow, and be mentored. It also shows you are not someone that thinks they already know it all.

Talk about where you are at in your career

A quick high level view of where you are at now and where you want to get to. This shows you can think strategically about your professional growth.

Add any critical things

If you are leaving due to your partner relocating to a new city, the company is closing down, or anything else that is pertinent add this in as long as it is not a personal negative. If you have been fired this is a tricky one but I would try to avoid that topic so you don’t have to lie.

Talk about why you joined

This is a great way to lead into the next question. Detailing why you joined and what you love about the company and the team you work with.

Finally talk about your goals

The goal here is to make them think you have outgrown your current employer and need to move on. This is always well received and will make them think you are motivated to move but only for good reasons.


Did you like Adam’s answer? Find some more helpful advice on interviewing and getting hired in the flagship edition of the Post-Grad Survival Guide Magazine.

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