How to explain why you’re leaving your current job

We share some ways you can answer this common job interview question with confidence and tact 

There are generally a few questions you know you’ll be asked in a job interview, and one of them is why you’re leaving your current job. 

While it’s a relatively straightforward question, it can ruin a good interview if you’re not prepared. 

So what do you need to know about answering this question? Read on to find out. 

Think about the why 

Thinking about what you are missing in your current job and why exactly you are keen to switch it up is a good place to start. 

If you are interested in changing jobs because you want to fill a skills gap, or challenge yourself in a new environment, explain why this new job is the perfect way to make those changes happen. 

Don’t be a negative Nancy 

If you are desperately unhappy in your current job, it can be easy to let your emotions get the better of you when asked this question. Telling your prospective employer how awful your current manager is might be what you’d really love to talk about, but it’s not a particularly professional look. 

Instead of focusing on the negatives, shift your focus onto the opportunities that this job provides that you might have been missing out on in your current job. 

Be honest

While you should avoid negativity, you should also still tell the truth. If you don’t love the culture of your current workplace, tell them that you are looking for something different, which is why you’re applying for another job. 

It’s also more than likely that the interviewer will contact your current employer, and if there are inconsistencies in the story you’ve told them, it might compromise your chance of landing the job.