Why are you leaving your current job?

How to Answer
What You Need to Know
1st Experienced Example
2nd Experienced Example

This question seeks to reveal how forthright you are about the conditions through which you left your previous employer (whether you quit, were fired or laid off, etc.). They are also curious about the terms your employment was severed, amicably or acrimoniously. Focus on the positives. Don't reveal anything that would paint you in a negative light. If there were reasons which might sound defamatory towards yourself or others, keep those details to yourself. For example, when someone has outgrown a position, and it isn't advancing their career, looking for career growth elsewhere reveals a dedication to one's well-formulated career plans. Not burning bridges and revealing professional appreciation for what you gained from your previous employers can go a long way toward exhibiting emotional maturity.

Research their website to align your career pursuits, or ideal working environment, with what they advertise they have to offer. For example, "Career development: By helping you find new opportunities, and attracting top talent that reflects the diversity of our clients and communities around the world, we're continuing to drive responsible growth. Part of being a great place to work is providing you with the tools and resources to develop and grow your career. Immersive programs create opportunities for teammates to grow and develop together. Distraction-free, dedicated training time helps learners absorb and retain information."

"When I interviewed for my last job, it was a temp assignment. After they saw my work ethic firsthand, they offered me a permanent role in their company. I explained to them I had clear goals, and the position they offered me only took me so far down my career path. We recently reached a crossroads, and I ultimately decided it was time to continue down that path elsewhere. I gave them two months' notice and am grateful for what I learned and the relationships I built there."

"I'm a bridge-builder, not a bridge burner. My last job was great while it lasted. I developed my five-year career plan when I was accepted into college and have updated it every year since. My previous employer helped me immensely since I started with them, but the growth opportunities that were present a few years ago are no longer viable options for me. So, it is with mutual respect and gratitude that I left them. I gave them almost two months' notice and helped to train my successor. I strongly believe that work relationships should last."