Why are you looking for a new job?

Question

Rachelle Enns · Accepted Answer

"I currently work for a small family-run organization with minimal opportunities for career growth. The owners' son holds the position I would like to secure next, showing that I have reached my peak with the organization. I am very thankful for everything my current employer has offered me the past four years, including continued education in business development and customer care. If hired, I believe your organization will benefit from this knowledge and experience. I am ready to grow in my career and generate great successes for Company ABC."

Rachelle Enns · Answer

As much as a hiring authority understands the desire to seek new work, the question around your personal or professional motivation remains. The interviewer wants to understand the circumstances that sparked the desire to leave your current or most recent position. The goal of your response is to assure the interviewer that this role, and the company, will meet your needs in the long term rather than be a band-aid for any dissatisfaction you feel around your current job.

Rachelle Enns · Answer

Avoid being too vague by responding like, 'My current position is no longer a fit.' You'll also want to avoid all negative talk such as, 'My current company has a toxic work environment, and my boss is awful.' Another important approach to avoid is the typical answer that most candidates give, such as, 'I am looking for a new job because I need to feel more challenged.' Be honest about your current situation, but be careful not to overshare or speak negatively about your current position. It is best to focus primarily on your future wish list versus dwell on what is going wrong in your current job.

Rachelle Enns · Answer

If you aren't sure how to approach this question, consider that some of the most common reasons for leaving a job include:- Misalignment of values
- Company restructuring, merger, or acquisition
- Lack of growth opportunities or little engagement from leadership
- Underutilization of your top skills
- Relocation of your family or the company's office
- Desire to explore a new industryBe honest about your current situation, but be careful not to overshare or speak negatively about your current employer. It is best to focus primarily on your future wishes vs. dwelling on what is going wrong or what went awry.

Rachelle Enns · Answer

Clearly outline how this new opportunity aligns with your professional goals. Make a connection between your desires and how the hiring company will benefit from hiring you.If you are employed and looking for a new opportunity, the hiring authority will want to know how their job differs from the one you are looking to exit. - First, set up the situation and mention the challenges you faced/currently face.
- Then, outline the positive actions you took/have taken to overcome these challenges.
- Next, highlight the transferable skills you have developed despite the situation.
- Last, Discuss the benefits of these transferable skills and provide measurable examples of how these skills will ensure your success in this new role.

Rachelle Enns · Answer

"My current company recently closed its doors. It was a small family-run business, and the owner wanted to retire, so he decided to sell the business. The new owners merged the company into their existing operations, which meant my colleagues and I were laid off. Despite the unexpected change, I find myself excited for the opportunity to grow my career. I am ready to progress with an organization like Company ABC where I can lend my expertise in office support tasks and record-keeping."

Rachelle Enns · Answer

"My company went through a merger last quarter. Since the structural change, the production quality has declined significantly, and my customers are dissatisfied. There is no plan for improvement. My biggest desire is to feel pride in the products and services that I represent, so I have decided to start looking for a fresh opportunity with an organization like Company ABC that emphasizes quality and genuine customer care."

Rachelle Enns · Answer

"Taking my most recent job was a misstep. While I was excited to be headhunted to join the start-up, the framework, leadership, and business plan described to me do not match the reality. I have remained in the role for one year, doing everything I can to influence change. However, it is time to move forward. I am approaching my next move with more care, ensuring that I make a fully informed decision. After thoroughly reading through Company ABC's job description and performing due diligence, I am confident that the product, customer base, and work environment is a strong match."

Rachelle Enns · Answer

"I recently graduated with my business degree. While attending school, I worked as a supervisor on evenings and weekends at a local pub. Now, I am ready to leave my job in hospitality and move into a retail sales management role. If chosen for this role with Company ABC, I will diligently apply my customer service expertise to ensure the store's sales goals are exceeded every month."

Rachelle Enns · Answer

"I am seeking a new teaching opportunity with a school closer to my home. Now that my kids are out of elementary school, I can take a new position without the conflict of being assigned to their school. Teaching at School ABC has been a dream for a long time, and the timing is finally right. If chosen for this opportunity, I will bring the same passion and care that I have with School XYZ over the past ten years."

Rachelle Enns · Answer

"I have outgrown my current role of marketing coordinator, and since my agency is a boutique firm, any opportunity for advancement is still a few years away. Last month, I began searching for opportunities within larger advertising agencies, and luckily, I was alerted to your job posting. I look forward to learning more about this opportunity and showing your team how my skills in prospect research and developing marketing proposals will benefit Agency ABC should I be hired."

Anonymous User · Answer

"As I am a recent graduate, and I want to apply the theoretical and practical knowledge in today's healthcare world."

Anonymous User · Answer

"I relocated and I have the desire to explore new environments and opportunities. As I am shifting from a technician to an RN role in dialysis this job posting is what I'm looking for."

Anonymous User · Answer

"I am looking for a new job as a lab assistant because I am seeking new opportunities to expand my skills and knowledge in this field. While I have gained valuable experience in my current role, I am looking for a position where I can continue to learn and grow. Additionally, I am interested in working full-time as my previous job was part-time, and I am excited about the prospect of dedicating myself to a lab assistant role full-time. Overall, I am eager to find a new job where I can contribute my skills and experience to a team."

Anonymous User · Answer

"It is my childhood dream to pursue a GI fellowship as I mentioned in my PS. After residency, my family had financial issues and one of my immediate family members had a health issue. I had to support my family and stabilize before I pursue my dream."

Anonymous User · Answer

"My previous company was a food company and I am now looking for a pure tech company. In particular, I like that you are an analytics company and I feel like my analytical side can be better utilized at your company. Also, the project at my previous company was more or less done."

Anonymous User · Answer

"Eventually, I would like to work with just patients going into delivery and not postpartum if I'm being honest."

Anonymous User · Answer

"I was furloughed from my travel career in March 2020 due to the Covid pandemic, I accepted a contract position that is scheduled to end on October 31, 2021."

Anonymous User · Answer

"The opportunity presents itself and it is the career path I've always wanted for myself."

Anonymous User · Answer

"My last job ended in redundancies. There was a restructure in the business due to covid. There weren't enough hours for me, therefore leaving was the best thing. I knew I would find another job with my experience."

Anonymous User · Answer

"I just finished my internship and I'm looking for an opportunity to start my career. I wish I can work in a big company like your company where supports good training and development. I have a strong learning ability and a can-do attitude. I believe I will grow up quickly and make a positive contribution to your company in a short term."

Anonymous User · Answer

"I am looking for a new job because my wife took a new job here which in turns means I get the opportunity to find a new job with a company like yours. I have really enjoyed my last job and the experience I gained there but we are relocating here and are planning on staying."

Anonymous User · Answer

"I actually wasn't looking for a new job. When this position became available several people from this company contacted me and told me the position was now open."

Anonymous User · Answer

"I love my position, coworkers, and management, but the business model is independent contractors. This means each pharmacist gets paid based on how many comprehensive medication reviews (also called CMRs) that pharmacist complete per month. I have personally set goals to increase my CMRs goal by 25% or more from the prior month, and I succeeded in doing so, but it was not fulfilling enough for me. I usually thrive on the idea of getting promoted and moving up within a company, and that's not something that I can look forward to in my current position. After being there for about a year and a half, I've realized that there is not much room for growth opportunities. Even though I understand that THIS position that I am interviewing is a PRN position, but ideally, I would hope this position would lead to a potential full-time opportunity in the future. Generally speaking, St. Vincent's hospital offers a wide range of areas for advancement and growth that cannot be found in another setting."

Anonymous User · Answer

"I'm looking for an opportunity to gain experience in this industry since this is where I am eventually going to practice law after I'm admitted to the bar."

Anonymous User · Answer

"I am looking for a new position because my current position is seasonal, and I am looking for a long term position with a company."

Anonymous User · Answer

"In my current role, there is not much growth opportunity. Because when you get a project and task; you pretty much have that task for a quite long time. Meanwhile, in this graduate position, I get the opportunity to grow which fits me well and try out different roles within different departments. I am very thankful for everything my current company has offered me the past year; however, I am ready to expand my horizons."

Anonymous User · Answer

"I am grateful for everything that I have learned in my current position. I am looking for a new job because I have been in my current position for more than three years, and I think it is time for something new. With my education and previous work experience, I think that Four Seasons would be a great fit for the experience and challenge I am looking for."

Anonymous User · Answer

"I am looking to apply my experience and skills to an industry devoted to improving people's lives and one that will bring new challenges to me professionally."

Anonymous User · Answer

"I just graduated in May, so I am looking to start a career that utilizes my degree in Criminal Justice. I currently work with children, and though I love working with children, that is not my passion nor where I see myself years down the line."

Anonymous User · Answer

"My position as a Support Manager was eliminated due to corporate restructuring. I decided to look for other similar job positions at other retail corporations. I appreciate all that I learned from my former employer, but I didn't feel there were any growth opportunities for me."

Anonymous User · Answer

"I'm looking for something new and exciting. I left my last role as it was a family business, and they closed while they went under new management. I am excited to learn about the many new skills my old job couldn't offer me."

Anonymous User · Answer

"In my current role, there is minimal growth. The company is new and is having a hard time setting in an infrastructure for its employees to grow. For that reason, I am looking for a new job."

Anonymous User · Answer

"I 've been in LA for ten years and working here will give me a lot of work opportunities."

Anonymous User · Answer

"My wish list includes future challenges, the ability to perform above average standards, and making new friends."

Anonymous User · Answer

"I find freelancing difficult in terms of finding new projects to work on. I don't like the lack of security."

Anonymous User · Answer

"There's minimal growth opportunity at my current Agency. I'm thankful for everything I've learned there, but I'm ready to do more."

Anonymous User · Answer

"I retired from my last career, and I want to try another career! I want to keep working!"

Anonymous User · Answer

"I would like to implement my education, knowledge, and work experience in a more challenging job."

Anonymous User · Answer

"I'm actively job searching right now. Last October our local branch was closed due to restructuring. I am confident that I would be a great addition to your team with my ten years medical billing specialist experience."

Anonymous User · Answer

"My commute has just gotten hard. My company does not offer any remote work so commuting 4 hours a day has just gotten a bit difficult, so I have started to look closer to home."

Why are you looking for a new job?

How to Answer: Why are you looking for a new job?

14. Why are you looking for a new job?

The Goal

What to Avoid

Pro Tip

How to Answer

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