Struggling with Interview Question: How to Explain Why I Left My Last Job?

I am Karthik. After constantly attending interviews, I am still failing to give an appropriate answer to the question, "Why did you leave your last organization?" Although my answers vary each time, I am unable to impress the interviewer. I feel really helpless and don't know what to say because the real reason was work overload and a significant issue created by my immediate boss, which I can't disclose to the interviewer. Please, please, please help me. I am desperate to get a job. Please help.

Yeah, I don't tell any negatives... but what should I say then? Because that is the actual reason and a true fact. However, interviewers will never like to hear the truth. So, what are the things I should keep in mind, or could you please suggest some examples? 

Thanks for the reply. 

Should I say my work was not appreciated or that I was not receiving any support from my immediate boss? Does it look negative?

I understand your concern, and I too had to face this problem in the past and always give positive answers as said by Madhuri. Here are some points you can implement in your coming interviews. All the best.

Why Do You Want to Leave Your Current Job?

There are many wrong answers to this question. Some of them include saying things like, "I hate my job," "I hate the company," "I'm not appreciated there," "I hate my boss," "I'm sick of working there," etc. Basically, anything negative is a bad answer. If you say something negative, they will think you will eventually get into that situation again while working for them. So I highly recommend you have a good answer that leaves a positive impression while displaying good traits.

Short Answers

"I want to find a company with more opportunities. My previous company was very small and didn't have opportunities for growth. After learning about the work environment here, I felt this is exactly the type of place I want to work."

"My current company is very large, and it's difficult to do different tasks. We have routine work that never changes. I want to work in an environment where I can utilize more of my skills."

"Our family moved to live near a better school district for our children. This area is great, and I want to find a job closer to my new home. My previous job was too far away to commute."

Long Answer

"I really enjoy what I'm doing, but I feel I'm following a routine. I looked around for more opportunities to grow, but because the company is small, I'm very limited. I want to work in an environment that will help me realize my full potential and a place I can contribute everything I'm capable of doing. My current job doesn't provide these things for me, and that's why I want to work here. I know ABC Company has a lot of opportunities for growth and encourages employees to take on challenging projects to learn more. That is what I'm looking for."

Thanks and regards,

Pramod

When discussing reasons for leaving a job, it's advisable not to provide negative feedback about the organization, workload, or conflicts with your supervisor. Instead, focus on the potential for growth and advancement in your career. You can also mention that you feel your current company is not the right fit for you, citing various reasons and your current job responsibilities.

Regards,
Silva

Thanks a lot, Mr. Pramod. You have provided very useful and valid points.  We have routine work that never changes. I want to work in an environment where I can utilize more of my skills. I think this is the type of answer I was looking for a long time. I got some ideas from this, thanks!  Hope to get more suggestions like it. 

Regards,

That was a really good response/suggestion, Pramod. Keep it up.

And Karthik, please don't ask for more suggestions, or you might end up in a situation called 'information overload'—leading to a confused state of mind rather than getting better answers. Once you find the answer that you can handle comfortably—the key word being 'comfortably'—just go ahead and implement it (with minor changes if needed—that's where you use your discretion).

All the best.

Regards,
TS

The Irrelevance of Certain Interview Questions

I do not understand why interviewers keep asking this question. It is totally irrelevant and has no bearing on your ability to do the job you are applying for. Sadly, this question appears in those long lists of "interview questions" that show up on CiteHR and other websites with monotonous regularity. Surely there is no interviewer left in the world now that expects to get a truthful answer to this question. All it does is encourage people to lie, and that sets a bad precedent.

I keep coming back to the simple fact that if you are interviewing people for jobs, YOU MUST base your interview questions solely on the job description and person specification for the particular job. You need to find out if the person CAN DO THE JOB and will fit in with your organizational culture. NOTHING ELSE IS RELEVANT - certainly not why the person left their last job.

I understand that you may think this is a silly question. However, for an interviewer, it holds significant value as it allows them to gauge your integrity and loyalty based on how you answer. This aspect could also be considered under psychometric evaluation in other contexts.

Thank you.

As you feel it might be a stupid question, for the interviewer, it is a valuable one from which they can extract integrity and loyalty through the way it is answered. It could be considered under psychometric evaluation in other ways.

I have interviewed quite a few people in my time and also taught interviewing skills to both managers and job seekers. I have never seen the need to ask this question. You cannot test loyalty with this question as no one is going to give you an honest answer.

That's a big problem that you are facing, but every problem has a solution too. The answer to their question must be that you left because you were not getting your worth and not being paid according to your talent.

I have a different view. One does not leave a well-paying, or rather any job, without a job offer in hand unless they are extremely uncomfortable in the present job. All the answers provided are good but will be difficult to defend in case they are well probed. Everybody understands that work conditions can be a cause for leaving. I left my previous job due to that reason. When asked why I left my previous job, I, for one, stated the fact and was offered the job. It may work out in case you state the truth. I hope you come across people who see your point of view.

Regards,
Col. Rathi

Your question is really interesting, and our friends have also provided very good suggestions on the same topic. I would like to add that the interviewer is capable of understanding the situation. The best approach is to present the facts truthfully, and there is no need to worry. Winning in an interview is not solely dependent on this question; there are other factors to consider as well. It is important to reflect on why we are considering leaving our current job. If there are any negative aspects, they should be explained briefly, positively, and diplomatically.

Regards,
Ajay Mehta

Wonderful answers by Pramod B. Raju. Also, I think your question was "WHY YOU LEFT YOUR LAST ORGANIZATION" - that means you have already left the job because of some reason. You can perfectly use the tips given by Pramod.

See that whatever the reason was, it should not be repeated in the next job. It is not important how we get into a new organization by answering smartly in an interview. But we need to survive in that new organization for a period of time where everyone is impressed with our presence/work output. Your case may be of this kind as well; maybe someone else made a mistake, and you got caught up in that. If that's the case - my dear friend, just play diplomacy + with your old experience, maintain distance from such people/circumstances - one of the best skills to survive in an organization.

Anyhow, all the best 
Regards,
Neetha

Subject: Re: Please suggest an answer for the question "WHY YOU LEFT YOUR LAST JOB"

Dear Kartik, all the best. I hope you were convinced by Mr. Pramod's answer. It was a good and well-briefed response. Best of luck.

Pramod: Please keep it up.

Thanks and regards,
Pranab Chakraborty

Pramod has given you enough tips. I just want to add a few words from an HR perspective on what we seek in a candidate during the interview.

What HR Looks for in a Candidate

We always look for honest answers, a positive attitude towards learning, willingness to go the extra mile to achieve goals, and readiness to take on challenging and more responsible tasks. If you describe your work as "hectic" or "routine," they may perceive that you are not prepared for additional responsibilities. Therefore, be mindful when responding to their questions and aim to persuade them. All the best! 

I agree with Kartik and all the suggestions he provided, but please ensure the tone is positive and include the following points:

1. For better knowledge and personal development growth.
2. For better prospects and to utilize past work experience in project-related backgrounds.
3. To utilize knowledge and implement innovative concepts in all areas where there is scope, considering all ideas.
4. To work in diversified roles and implement a combination of shop floor and IT work experience within your organization.

Regards,
Amol Shejawal

In my opinion, you should stay positive regardless of the circumstances. Never refer to a major problem with management and never speak ill of supervisors, co-workers, or the organization. If you do, you will be the one looking bad. Keep smiling and talk about leaving for a positive reason such as an opportunity, a chance to do something special, or other forward-looking reasons.

I agree with Amol's suggestions.

Regards,
Yogesh S. Pandey

Hmm, Sir (Pramod), good suggestions. Follow them, Kartik. Definitely, you will meet with success. All the best, Divyesh.

Dear Karthik,

There can be a number of answers to the query raised by you. However, you should not frame your answer and then go. Depending on the situation, your answer should vary. Most importantly, it can be a combination of 2-3 situations, such as: giving equal importance to workload and salary offered, growth opportunities, your organization being the most sought-after company, enhancing my skills further by looking for a change, not being happy with my current profile and seeking a more challenging and opportunistic role, or being fed up with my routine job.

For any further queries, please feel free to call the undersigned.

Regards,
Rishi Kant Neema
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons] (M)

Give the exact reason why you left the job. When you speak the truth, there is no need to try to convince people; they are convinced themselves by the authenticity of your words. Be thoughtful in how positively you can convey the reason. Hope this helps.

Regards,
Seema