Answer on why You’re Leaving your Current Workplace?

As in other recruitment huddles, this also depends, maybe on internal versus agency recruiter. And if the person was applying versus having been approached. There’s actually never a black and white answer to this. Let’s think it forward

Here is a popular opinion on what the response should be.

Recruiter asks you: why are you leaving your current company?

Popular Opinion: “I am very interested in joining yours.”

This is in quest to make it positive about the new employer rather than negative about the former which isn’t all that a bad idea to do.

Whether you are making a sales pitch, or in an interview, or writing a personal ad – always talk about what you like, not what you don’t.

The truth is you have to promote what you love instead of bashing what you hate which we all agree to. 

For many, the above response isn’t bad at all, meanwhile I have used such phrase, but recruiter always continues to “dig deeper”. So, after I each time receive a question “what is my real reason to leave my previous job”! Bingo! And we continue this circle again, Some people (HRs) don’t believe that you can search “from good to better”…

But here is a response from an experienced recruiter i prompted on if this response is good to go. 

Having spent many years in recruitment (both agency and internal) anyone who answered the question that way (i.e. avoiding the question) would make me think they had something to hide. Sure talk about why you want to join a company but there is always a reason you are looking for another role and you should be honest about what that is, in a diplomatic way of course. Also consider that if you don’t tell a future employer about what is making you dissatisfied with your current role/organisation you could well end up at the new company and have the same issues.  The interview process is just as much about the employee selecting the employer as vice versa.

I am pretty sure that this popular opinion do not answer the question, and If you don’t answer and dance around, you won’t probably make it to the next round?

While I completely agree with “Promote what you love instead of bashing what you hate,” the response should not be for an interview, it sounds like an answer in a political debate – from a candidate I wouldn’t vote for.

80% of employers wouldn’t hire someone who skirt answers. You can give an honest answer and still stay positive. A kind of answer that is reflective of a deep thinker and a problem solver.

Any employer you’d want to work for should know this. They are looking for how you handle the answer. Dodging the question isn’t handling anything. It’s avoiding.

So, given that all jobs have irritants, the question an applicant should be answering is, “What irritant was powerful enough to propel you to change?” How you answer that question tells a lot.

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The applicant who has looked beyond the minutiae creating immediate discontent will provide an answer that shows s/he has searched the bigger picture to find the uncompromising value that those details were negatively impacting.

In as much that the industry standard placed on interviews has set it to be always the good, never the bad. that’s not always the case. What if the workplace you are leaving has multiple issues? What if the truth is, you have a terrible boss or toxic work environment or never have days off or work way too many hours or whatever inhuman?

My candid advice: I agree to not being negative but be candid and authentic. Also if you have issues with your current employer make sure you have taken a shot at fixing them, or that sends a signal you just run when things don’t go your way.

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You can always work on why you are looking for new opportunities, but it will be transparent that whatever you are looking for, is something you did not find at the current job. We should look at every job as a brick we lay in the foundation of our career. Whatever job we take is going to make us grow professionally and personally, whether we loved it or not. the focus is always on the value and contribution you can make plus the problems you can solve. If the company is publicly traded, lots of good information can be found in the SEC reports as well as just googling any recent information

So what will my response be when i am asked? While it is important to stay positive, I also believe in being open and honest.

For example, I am leaving Company A due to lack in growth opportunities. As an up and coming cloud-based solution provider, I am very interested in your company as I see opportunities to grow in the areas of X, Y, and Z, which fits well with my expertise in A and B, which in turn adds value to your organization because…(return on their investment in me)

or

If you left because you hated your boss and didn’t get along with her/him, try:
“My values were no longer aligned with those of the company.”

If you were made redundant, try:
“I took redundancy.”

Etc, etc.

If you are currently employed and are asked why you want to leave, try:
“I am seeking more responsibility.”
“I am looking for a new challenge.”

Etc, etc.

I don’t want you to lie, and I also don’t want you to trash previous employers when interviewing with potential employers.

Any good HIRING MANAGER knows the many reasons that lead to people leaving their previous jobs. They aren’t looking to pass judgment; they are simply asking for a BRIEF (don’t ramble!) explanation.

And remember!

An interview is a two-way conversation, so make sure you have 2 or 3 questions prepared in advance for them, too!

Please do well to argue or make your suggestion on the comment session 

All in all, even if it is a terrible job, it served as a great learning experience and launch platform. Always look behind with gratitude and try to look towards the new with hope. Be honest and have positive attitude..