How to Answer: Why Are You Leaving Your Current Job?

In your search for a better job, prospective employers and future management will likely ask why you are leaving your current position.

Ultimately, your answer will help recruitment managers decide if you are a good fit for their team. The good news is that there is no wrong or right answer to the question, “Why are you leaving your current job?”

Instead, treat it as an opportunity to tell them about what makes you tick. This is your chance to set the tone for who you are as an employee.

Here’s Why Employers Ask This Question

Before you get up in arms, stop to think about why they’re asking this. They want to know what motivates you, what inspires you enough to seek a new opportunity, and whether or not you’re someone who will be loyal to them if they support you.

Recruiters also want to know if you left voluntarily or if you were let go from your previous company. The latter is a red flag as it may indicate that an applicant was fired due to criminal or unethical behaviour. While you may not want to disclose if you were fired, you can probably understand why they may want to know that, right?

Ultimately, companies want to know what would make you stay with them long-term as it’s more expensive to hire a new employee than retain an existing one. Do your values align? Can they offer what you are looking for in a new job? This matters!

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Best Responses to “Why Are You Leaving Your Current Job?”

It’s important to be honest and strategic when replying to this question. You want to be truthful without painting your previous employer in a negative light.

You don’t have to pretend you loved everything about your old job—you’re leaving, after all—but maintaining an appropriate level of professionalism will show this prospective new employer that you’d treat their business name with respect should you be hired and eventually leave their company, down the road.

Here are some responses that you can use during the recruitment process.

Career Advancement

You can simply say that you prioritize career advancement. For example, you may want to take on a leadership role, but your current company has no openings for a supervisory position in the foreseeable future. This is especially true for smaller companies and startups.

Most hiring managers love people who are looking for professional growth opportunities.

Work-Life Balance

Our existence can’t be all work and no play. So, if your reason for capping off your time with your previous employer is your search for a better work-life balance, you can elaborate on your reasons while you answer.

The need for work-life balance can have many reasons: raising a family, enrolling in graduate school, or pursuing a lifelong passion. Whether you want more flexible hours or remote work options, it’s completely okay to be upfront about it.

Company Restructuring

A lack of job security is a valid reason to consider resigning from a company. This is more common than you’d think, as even major companies have laid off thousands of workers recently. If your current employer is restructuring and you’re worried, it’s acceptable to look for opportunities elsewhere.

After sharing this reason with a hiring manager, remember to highlight how you can adapt to a changing work environment. This will reassure them that you can quickly get up to speed in your new role in case they hire you.

Change of Career

You might be inclined to try something new if your current industry has left you feeling like your potential is being wasted.

This is good! Seeking a career change can make you seem multifaceted, goal-oriented, and resilient. It also demonstrates how you put your heart into your work, as you are clearly on the road to finding something that better resonates with you.

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Relocation

Moving to a new city or country is an adventure that might prompt you to find a new job. Your previous job might not offer remote work as an option, so this new job search is a fresh start for you in many ways.

Personal Reasons

If you would rather not say too much about your reason for leaving your job, it’s acceptable to keep your answer short and less detailed. Sometimes, the reason why you leave your current job is something better kept private.

Maybe your old role is just no longer a good fit for you, or you had a personality clash with a colleague. Perhaps you’re looking to work part-time because you are recovering from burnout. You can state lifestyle changes and leave it at that.

Learn To Communicate Your Value

So, why are you leaving your current job?

Well, people quit for many reasons. Some of the top reasons for leaving a job include better compensation, company restructuring, and more opportunities for career advancement. Sometimes it’s because of personal issues, health concerns, or other factors. The reason why you leave your current job doesn’t have to be complicated.

Whatever your motivation, Ad Culture is here to give you a hand in your job search. If you’re an advertising professional—think web designer, technical specialist, social media manager, or anyone else with a marketing pulse—looking for better opportunities, give us a call to learn more about our awesome recruitment services.