So you are in search of a new Job and you were privileged to come across a job advert, you applied for the job role and you soon found yourself among the successful applicants for the interview because you have been paying attention to my contents or probably had information about a powerful cv from a coach.

And you’re asked the question

WHY DO YOU WANT TO LEAVE YOUR FORMER JOB

Job Interviews are no big deals, but they can be hard but to crack. This is due to some tricky questions asked by the interviewer, aimed at spotting loopholes that can jeopardize employers firms.

One of those questions is ” Why did you leave your previous job”

This question can be tricky and twisted even rephrased by the interviewer. It can come in these forms;

✓Why did you leave your last job?

✓Why did you quit your job?

✓Why are you looking for a new job?

You must be cerebral enough to decipher every motive accompanying the question.

There are three things that every interviewer what’s to know. They want to know;

If you were fired or laid off.

If you are on good terms with the previous firm.

If your reason for leaving is cogent enough.

If you would also be leaving them in the same condition and would you badmouth them also as you’re leaving

Here are some reasons why people leave their previous job.

But for the sale of lucid understanding, I would categorise them into three.

Negative Reasons: These are reasons that tend to ruin your chances because they seem to fault you. But you can leverage on them by answering diplomatically. If you read a little longer you will find some time and hacks on how to turn these reasons for your favour. Example

✓I was fired due to misconduct.

✓I was laid off due to company downsizing.

✓I was fired to a disagreement between you and a superior colleague or staff.

✓I left due to some changes in the organogram leading to an unconducive work environment.

Neutral Reasons: These reasons are what you make of them they are neither your fault or the previous employer’s fault. They are due to natural human responses to natural changes which should be the best response usually. Examples.

✓I quit due to a location change.

✓I quit tackling a particular family demand.

✓I quit due to health issues.

Positive Reasons: Reasons that speak highly and flatter the prospective employer. Examples;

✓I wanted to take on new responsibilities that this role and company couldn’t offer.

✓I didn’t feel the job was using my abilities to the fullest or challenging me enough.

✓I had been with the organization for many years and wanted to experience a new environment.

✓I left for a course or a degree crucial for my career advancement.

Tips And Tricks For Leveraging On Situations And Provide The Requisite Answers.

✓ Don’t lie.

✓Don’t bad mouth the previous company or staff.

✓Take responsibility for your actions, especially bad ones, but show how you have improved to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

✓Be confident.

✓Avoid unprofessional comments.

✓Avoid negativity.

Here are sample answers based on the categorised reasons;

For Negative Reasons

Instead of saying “I was fired due to some misconduct”;

if this is the reason you left, you might want to embellish it diplomatically without fibbing. You can say;

” learning and experience never end, I was an amateur in handling people, which earned me a little trouble. After which I have had to learn diplomacy and the people skill, and I’m ready to face a new challenge”

I was saying”I was laid off due to company downsize”

Say this ” The company was on the verge of folding and need to downsize a portion of its staff I was impacted by that decision, but it gave me a chance to explore new opportunities ” say it with no touch of negativity.

For Neutral Reasons

Instead of saying “I quit due to location”

Say this ” I had to leverage on proximity, immediately I saw another opportunity with similar, even higher challenge a little increase in salary and closer to my home I had to take it.”

Don’t just say “I quit to handle family issues for some time” it is blatant, make them know that won’t happen if they hire you by saying ” I had to handle a couple of pressing family issues, but I’m here now, fully ready for a new challenge”

You have to make them understand that you can separate family and work as well as other personal challenges.

For Positive Reasons

If the reason for which you left falls within this category, then it’s a combo.

“I didn’t feel the job was maximising my potential, I could use a new challenge” this is an impressive reason but do not sound proud, be ambitious and success driven. It hits differently on the physiology of your employer.

The same goes for ” I have been in the firm long enough, I could use some new experiences and environment” drive in a sense of forwardness and adventure, employers love it.

However, follow bio questions may arise, but

if you follow the guidelines shared here you will be sure to find a way out.

Good luck in your next interview

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