Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?

This is a definite interview question; you will always be asked this so before you attend your interview get the answer straight in your head.

No employer wants to hear negative comments are your current or previous employer because somewhere down the line they will think that one day you will be speaking about them to someone else the same and that is not good.

Write it down and make a list, why did you leave your last job?

• If you hated your last job keep that to yourself and turn it into a positive. Some good answers when you are in that situation could be:

• I felt that it was time for a new challenge and that I had gone as far as I could do within that company.

• (Depending on circumstance) I was relocating to a different area.

• I saw this position advertised and was really interested in the role and company as it has such a good reputation in the market place.

Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?

• My last company didn’t have any room for career progression.

• I saw this position and left in order to pursue it.

• I misunderstood the ethos of the company I worked for.

• I feel I needed a fresh challenge.

• I wanted more responsibility.

• I was keen for more hours but the company couldn’t meet this.

• My contract ended/I was made redundant.

At some point or another we have all had a particularly bad job or experience but an interview is the time to make you shine and by drawing on negative comments it does not make the feeling of the interview go well at all. Employers are wise enough to read between the lines and generally if it is a similar industry they will be well aware of any negative things already so it’s not necessary to spell them out.

Beware that when you are asked this question that the employer will also be monitoring your behaviour and will be assessing to see if you are telling the whole truth. Do not lie in an interview but turn a negative into a positive and they will see you in the right light you wish them to see.

Best Wishes.