How to Explain Good Reasons for Job Change in an Interview

How to Explain Good Reasons for Job Change in an Interview?

Published On: 28th November 2022 | Updated On: 1st December 2022

If you’re interviewing for a new job, it’s important to have an answer ready to your potential employer’s inevitable question about why you left your last job. We cover how to prepare for the question in this blog post, but let’s get started with 10 ways to explain your job change in an interview, shall we? Hopefully, these will help you make sure your story checks all the right boxes so you can land that next job!

1) Keep it Simple

If you are asked why you left your previous job, it's best, to be honest. There are good reasons and bad reasons to leave a job, but the best reason for leaving a job is that it was a better opportunity.

If you were fired, make sure not to say anything that would make the employer question your judgment. Here are some examples of good and bad responses:

2) Don't Blame Others

The best reason for leaving a job is that you are unhappy with the company. The second is that you are unhappy with your team. The third is that you are unhappy with the manager.

It's important not to blame others for your unhappiness, and to make sure you articulate your reasons without being too negative about the company. A good rule of thumb is if you can't find anything positive to say about your previous employer, don't say anything at all.

3) Be Honest

It's not always easy to explain why you left your old job. There is a lot of best reason for leaving a job and it depends on the situation. You must present yourself with honesty and integrity. Remember, it is better, to be honest about the good reason for leaving the job than make excuses or try to hide something.

Honesty will show that you are a trustworthy person who can be depended on by the interviewer. If you have to change careers, just make sure you don't bash your last employer too much. If possible, talk about how the skills from your previous career can transfer over into this new position so that they know there won't be any significant gaps in skill sets.

4) practice your Answer

When you're interviewing, you must have a good answer ready when they ask you Why did you leave your last job? or Why do you want to leave your current job? Sometimes, it's not easy to come up with an explanation right on the spot, so here are some examples of what might work:

  1. I've been looking for a change and this is the perfect opportunity. - I need a new challenge and this company provides more opportunities than my current company. - My current workload is too heavy and this position offers more manageable expectations. - I'm eager to try something different and this would be a chance for me to learn about different aspects of marketing.
  2. The commute from home to work was just getting too much, so taking the job at this location would make it easier for my family.
  3. The hours were unpredictable at my previous place of employment, but the hours seem pretty normal here.

5) Emphasize the Positive

  1. There are many good reasons you might want or need to change jobs. New opportunities, changing interests, and a better work-life balance are just some of the possibilities.
  2. Even if your current employer has been understanding about your plans and is supportive of your decision, you should still be prepared for questions about why you're leaving.
  3. You'll have a much easier time answering these questions if you've given some thought ahead of time about how to frame the reason for leaving your job for your decision.
  4. Be honest with yourself as well as with others about what's important to you - this will help make it easier to come up with good answers when the questions arise.

6) Be Concise

It is important when answering this question that you give a detailed answer. Be sure to mention the following points: - Why you are seeking change - What you are looking for in a new position - What makes you a good fit for this position

In addition, be prepared with examples of how your skills, knowledge, and experience will be an asset to the company. Make sure you know their values and goals before you go into the interview. You don't want to waste time discussing issues that won't impact the decision-making process for hiring managers. If possible, try to find out which department or team you would be working within so that it can align with what they need from your background.

Make yourself memorable by giving them something they don't have but would like such as being bilingual or having more expertise in one specific area than other applicants

7) Be Confident

It is important to go into your interview with confidence and leave the interviewer with no doubts about your abilities. Be confident, but don't be cocky.

Your personality should reflect professionalism and respect for others. If you are one of those people who are not very talkative, you should practice before the interview so that you can come up with some good answers.

Be prepared for questions about why you left your previous position.

8) Know Your Audience

Take into account the company's culture when deciding on your reason for leaving your job for a job change. You may want to use a more personal approach if you are looking for a job at a small, family-owned business and you want them to know that you're looking out for their best interests.

This type of employer is likely more interested in who you are as a person than in what skills you have. On the other hand, employers at larger companies may be less interested in why you left your last position unless they feel that it might affect your performance at their company. They may also ask about how many people you supervised or worked with at your old job since this will tell them about the scope of your responsibilities. If this number is higher than average for similar jobs, then it will help strengthen any good reason for changing jobs that you mention.

9) Have a Positive Attitude

When you are faced with an interview question about why you left your last job, try not to focus on the negative aspects of your former employer.

Instead, talk about the reason for the job change during the interview that led you to seek a new opportunity. Talk about why you have decided that this is the right time for a change and how it will be beneficial not only to you but also to the company that hires you.

It's best if these reasons for job change during the interview reflect both personal and professional motivations. For example, if there was a lack of career growth opportunities, mention how important it is for you to feel like your skills are growing and maturing at work instead of staying stagnant day after day.

10) Thank Them for Their Time

Thank you so much for taking the time to interview me. I enjoyed our conversation and look forward to hearing from you soon.

I am looking forward to a new career opportunity that is more suitable for my skill set, interests, and goals in life. I have always admired your company's mission statement and values, which align with my own beliefs. I feel like this will be a great fit for me! I'm excited to put all of my talents into making a difference at your organization.

My experience at previous companies has helped me develop strong interpersonal skills, as well as project management skills that help teams work together seamlessly on important projects. It was challenging trying to balance these things while working with such high-demand schedules at my last job. My last boss was very supportive when I told her about this new opportunity but knew it would not be right for the company if I were unable to commit 100% of my time there as well.

I want an employer who sees potential in me and will help nurture it - provide opportunities for growth and development both personally and professionally. Where do you think I would thrive most at your organization? What sort of projects do you think might interest me?

Answers to the Question Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?

No matter how prepared you are, there’s no way to predict whether you’ll be asked why you left your last job during an interview. In many cases, the question can be easy to answer if your previous position was eliminated or if you left your employer on good terms, but knowing what to say when your answer isn’t so straightforward can make or break your job search. Read this list of sample answers to the question, Why did you leave your last job? and choose the one that’s most likely to land you an interview for your dream career.

1) I was seeking new challenges

I was looking for a new challenge. I wanted something that would keep me on my toes, and push me out of my comfort zone. I was attracted to your company because it seemed like it would offer all of those things. I wanted to be around people who were as passionate about what they do as I am about mine. I found that in this company.

I knew from reading through the website and from talking to you that there is a lot of focus on teamwork here, which is important to me. It's not just about individual performance - it's about making sure everyone does their best and also helps one another out so we can achieve our goals together.

2) I wanted to learn new things

I wanted to learn new things, so I decided to take on a new challenge. Leaving my old job wasn't easy, but I knew it was what needed to be done for me to grow and progress in my career.

While it's been hard adjusting and learning everything that goes along with this new role, I'm excited about the future and where this could take me. If you're thinking about taking a step in a similar direction, here are some tips:

Research your company before your interview by reading its mission statement as well as its values (you should be able to find these on its website). This will help you feel more comfortable talking about why you want this job and how it aligns with your goals.

3) I was looking for an opportunity to grow

I wanted a new challenge and this company has been growing quickly. I was looking for an opportunity to grow, make a bigger impact, and be more creative on projects. Plus, I like that this company is focused on creating products that are ethical and sustainable. I'm happy with my decision so far!

The culture is positive and supportive here, which makes it easy to get work done and tackle challenges head-on.

There's also a lot of diversity in our workplace, which I appreciate. The people who work here come from all walks of life--they're very diverse in terms of race, gender identity, religion, and sexuality--and there's no judgment or prejudice in the workplace at all. It's refreshing to see so many different perspectives coming together under one roof because everyone brings something unique to the table.

4) I wanted to be part of a team that was more aligned with my values

I wanted to be part of a team that was more aligned with my values. I felt as though I could do more good by working with people who shared my views and goals.

For example, I have an opportunity to work on more projects related to sustainability, which is something I am very passionate about. The company culture is much more laid back and casual, which makes it easier for me to be myself while still being productive and efficient.

One thing that I love about my new job is how flexible it can be. It’s so easy to work remotely when needed because our business relies heavily on digital marketing and content production. I also appreciate how supportive everyone in the office has been since I started; they make me feel like this transition has been seamless even if there were some bumps along the way.

5) I was looking for a company that was going in a different direction

When I interviewed with Smith & Williams, they were in a transitional phase. Company leadership was working on a new brand identity and looking for ways to grow their customer base. I felt like my skills matched up well with what the company needed, so I was excited about joining them.

But before we could make that move, things changed.

The company decided that it wanted to go in a different direction and shut down all operations. It was disappointing because I felt like I had found the perfect match for me and my family, but it also taught me how important it is for an organization to be flexible and adaptable to survive in today's competitive landscape.

7) I was looking for a position that better utilised my skills

I was happy at my old job, but I found that it wasn't challenging me as I expected and I was looking for a position where I could do something new and exciting.

A friend recommended your company to me and when I realized you were hiring, I knew it was what I had been looking for. Many of my colleagues here have told me that they enjoy working with you and from talking to them, it sounds like a great place to be.

Plus, you're located close by so that's made commuting easier than ever! That's why when your position became available, I applied as soon as possible because everything about my old job pales in comparison to working here.

6) I didn't feel like I had enough room to grow at my last job

It may sound surprising, but even if you're being paid fairly, it can be disappointing not to feel like your hard work is going anywhere. To combat that feeling and make yourself more attractive to future employers, it's important to take on challenges at work.

If you're feeling bored or underutilized, talk to your manager about new projects or taking on new responsibilities. On top of giving you a boost of motivation and making you a more valuable employee in general, asking for more challenges is one of the best ways to stay engaged at work while boosting your resume.

I wanted something different: In addition to growth potential, pay and other tangible benefits are also important factors when deciding whether or not to leave a job. But what if none of those things are enough?

8) The commute was too long

We've all been there. You're at your 9 to 5 and you start thinking about how long the commute is, how much time you're spending on the road, and wondering why you never moved closer to work. Well, it's time to start looking for a new opportunity that's not quite so far away from home. Here are some best answers for when this question comes up during an interview:

  1. The commute was too long - I'm looking for more balance between my work and personal life.
  2. The commute was too long - I found a company where I can put my skills to good use.
  3. The commute was too long - I found a company where I can make more of an impact.

9) I was relocating

I relocated to be closer to my family. I was a snowbird and had been traveling back and forth from the east coast of the United States to the west coast, but it became too difficult with work schedules and other commitments.

It was time to decide on where I wanted to live so I could have more balance between home life and work.

I have been living here for about three years now, and at first, it seemed like a major adjustment because we were living in an area without any of our family or friends nearby. Now, though, it's great because we are close enough that we can visit them often and they can come to see us as well.

10) I left for personal reasons

Answering this question can be tricky. If you have a good reason, but don't want to share it with the interviewer, you could say: I left for a personal reason for a job change during the interview. If you're not comfortable with that answer, explain such as I left to pursue other opportunities. I was pursuing some of my business interests.

  1. I wanted to explore new career paths and seek out new challenges.
  2. I wanted to start my own company or go into business for myself.
  3. I was going through a difficult time and needed some time away from work.

Conclusion

Most interview questions are fairly easy to answer, but one of the most awkward and intimidating questions you’ll be asked in any job interview is Why did you leave your last job? Even if you have a solid answer prepared, you may still get the feeling that the interviewer doesn’t believe your response or that he thinks you’re hiding something. Knowing how to answer this question will help put your mind at ease and keep your confidence up, so you can ace the interview and land the job of your dreams!

SoMe offer professional development courses that are tailored for individuals from all different walks of life - from senior management teams to entry-level employees looking to move up the ladder. Our instructors are industry experts who provide real-world examples along with practical applications so attendees can use these skills immediately when they return to their offices or back home after class ends!

FAQS

How do you justify changes in a job interview?

In a job interview, you will be expected to answer the question What are your reasons for leaving your last position? It is important to provide a clear, concise answer that is truthful and thoughtful. The following are some best practices for answering this question:

  1. Keep it brief. The interviewer doesn't need a detailed explanation of why you left your previous position.
  2. Speak about the reasons that are most relevant to the position you're applying for.

What is the best answer for a job change?

The best answer to What is the reason you want to leave your current company? would be: I am looking for a company that can provide me with more of an opportunity for growth. This answer is truthful, but not too personal.

What is the reason you want to change your job?

To answer this question, you need to think of a story that will make sense. The best way to do this is to choose a time when you had some sort of epiphany or breakthrough. For example, you may have realized that your current company wasn't the right fit for you anymore because they weren't giving you the opportunities you needed, so you decided to leave and find somewhere better suited for your needs.

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