#REASONS FOR LEAVING A JOB HOW TO#
#REASONS FOR LEAVING A JOB PROFESSIONAL#

Practice saying the response until you know it well and can say it naturally.Use positive language in your response, mentioning your achievements and goals.Make sure you don’t blame the company you worked for about anything.Write a response for each time you changed jobs.It’s never too early to begin preparing your answers about why you left a job. Preparing to give your reason for leaving a job That way, the employer will see that you are honest and willing to learn from your mistakes. Then explain what you’ve learned from the experience. The best way to handle it is to be forthright but brief about the firing aspect. Getting fired is obviously the most challenging reason you may have to explain to an employer. Getting laid off has nothing to do with your skills or abilities. This reason might be the easiest to answer because it really was out of your control. No one wants to hire someone that they think will have chronic problems. However, ensure you don’t come across as whining or acting like a victim. These are valid reasons for leaving a job. Or they may want a less stressful type of work due to health or family. A person may get married to someone in another city and relocate. You can word these by highlighting all the things you accomplished in the previous job and how the new position was a natural progression to utilize your skills.Įveryone understands that sometimes our personal lives and work can collide.

Or you may have found a job that had more potential for growth. You might have left because the job you were at didn’t have anywhere else for you to go you were at your promotional maximum. You can explain it in precisely that way if that is your situation. Others may decide one day that they are ready to follow their hearts and pursue the career they love. Some people may be studying on the side while they work part-time and then are ready to pursue their careers. The reasons listed above can be separated into four main reasons for leaving a job:Ĭhanging careers is a big step, but it’s not unheard of.

#REASONS FOR LEAVING A JOB HOW TO#

Now we dive into how to answer why you left a job. How to handle questions about why you left a job The most challenging one to address is getting fired, but there is a proper way to handle it.

You decided to transition to another field/industry.

The job was different from the description.

#REASONS FOR LEAVING A JOB PROFESSIONAL#

You were at your limit in the company, with no other professional development opportunities.You had some family issues that necessitated leaving a job.You found a more stimulating opportunity.The job was too stressful for your current home life situation (i.e., raising kids, single parent, recently divorced, etc.).You moved to another city or state due to personal reasons.The company closed and went out of business.Some reasons you may leave a job include: That means you’ll need to prepare your answer in advance so you’re not caught off guard. However, with the right response, you can manage this question just fine. Some reasons are more difficult to give because they result from something negative. There are many acceptable reasons for leaving a job. In that case, the employer might question if you retained a sense of loyalty and discreetness regarding company secrets. Suppose you left a job for a similar job at a different company (a competitor). Was it on good terms? Did you give the appropriate notice? Also, were you helpful (if necessary) in making the transition seamless for your replacement? These may be some of the issues the employer will try to determine. They don’t want to hire someone who may leave abruptly or for no good reason.Įmployers also may probe into how you left the job. If you left for a valid reason, that gives the employer some peace of mind knowing you’re not flighty. They do because it gives them an idea of what kind of employee they will be getting. It’s natural for employers to ask people their reasons for leaving a job. Knowing how to manage this issue will give you confidence going into your next interview. When you need to move to a different job, how should you handle it when it comes up in an interview? There are right and wrong ways to respond to these types of questions. There are a multitude of reasons for leaving a perfectly legitimate job. Sometimes life happens, and the current job will not work for you anymore. You may leave a job at some point or another in your career.

Reasons for leaving a job