How to answer: ‘What is the reason for leaving your job?’
You’re preparing for an interview and you know they’re going to ask why you’re leaving your current job. Maybe you have one of the best reasons for leaving a job, like looking for new career opportunities – or maybe it’s something else. Whatever the reason, it’s important to craft a thoughtful response.
We all know honesty is the best policy, especially in an interview. But what do you do if you know the honest answer doesn’t look so good to a potential employer? In this guide, we'll walk you through how to answer this question, no matter your circumstances.
Why do employers question your reasons for leaving a job?
A hiring manager asking, ‘Why do you want to leave your current role?’ isn’t for the reason many people think. It’s not a trick question to trip you up. The main reason interviewers ask is to discover what you need to be satisfied and engaged at work. Your answer can help them see if you’re a good fit for the company and the team’s culture, and what you may be looking for long term.
While the interview question about why you’re leaving your job is not a negative one, it can be easy to answer in a negative way. Try not to get caught up in the emotion of why you’re leaving or have left your previous job. Think about your future, rather than your present, to help you respond in a positive manner. What do you hope to achieve from your next role? How will you take your learnings from your current job into the new role?
Other ways interviewers could ask you this question
There are many ways an interviewer may ask ‘Why did you leave your previous job?’ or ‘Why are you leaving your current job?’ They may make it more about why you’re interested in this particular role or specifically about why you’re looking for a new job in the first place. However they ask the question in the interview, take a moment to shape your answer to be positive or at least neutral.
10 ways interviewers ask why you’re leaving your job
These are 10 of the most common ways in which interviewers ask why you’re leaving your current job or left your last role.
- What motivated you to look for new job opportunities?
- Can you tell me what led you to apply for this position?
- What prompted you to leave your previous job?
- What are the reasons behind your decision to seek new employment?
- Can you explain why you're interested in working with our company?
- What factors contributed to your decision to leave your previous employer?
- What inspired you to pursue this opportunity?
- Can you walk me through the thought process behind your job search?
- What are the primary reasons for your desire to leave your current job?
- Why specifically do you think this position is a good fit for your career goals?
However they ask, stick to thinking about your future. Do not dwell in the present (or the past), unless you are happy and leaving for other motivating factors. Knowing how they may ask will help you prepare acceptable answers for leaving a job in advance.
Reasons for resignation from your current role
Understanding why you’re actually leaving a job can help make answering questions about it much easier. For example, while you may feel like you’re leaving your job because of a bad manager or situation, you could in fact be looking for more autonomy, more progression or a more flexible work environment.
Below are some of the top 10 reasons for leaving a job and what to say if you’re asked about your reason for resignation. We touch on everything from ‘looking for better opportunities’ to reasons to give if you were fired.
1. Better opportunities
Looking for better opportunities is one of the most professional reasons for leaving a job. You may be looking for more pay, more responsibilities or better support to reach your goals. It's one of the most common reasons for leaving a job, especially for someone with big goals.
Top reasons for leaving a job for better opportunities
There are many reasons you may be looking for better opportunities. Everyone will have different goals, but these are some of the most common:
- Wanting a higher salary
- Looking for better benefits
- Feeling undervalued in your role
- Seeking a role in a different sector or industry
- Wanting more challenges or opportunities
- Feeling like you could be doing more
How to explain you’re leaving your job for better opportunities
When explaining that you’re leaving your job to find better opportunities, you want to be honest, positive and clear about what you’re looking for. Being upfront when answering ‘why do you want to leave your current employer?’ can also help you learn more about your potential employer.
Example of what to say
While I love the company I’m currently with, I feel I’m no longer challenged by the work I do. I’m looking for a job that keeps me on my toes and helps me grow, while using the skills I’ve already built.
I’ve learned so much and got so much satisfaction out of my work, but I couldn’t ignore this opportunity. It aligns perfectly with where I see myself and the experience I’ve developed over the past few years.
2. Work-life balance
Leaving a job due to stress or looking for better work-life balance is one of the top reasons people move on from a workplace. Even if you’ve been eagerly climbing the career ladder, you can find that those higher positions mean less time for other activities you value, like spending time with family or friends, or your hobbies.
Top reasons for leaving a job for greater work-life balance
If you are feeling burnt out from your job, it’s important to realise why. Knowing the cause can help you determine whether it’s a work thing or perhaps a you thing (like a lack of boundaries). These are some of the most common reasons people seek a greater work-life balance:
- Your mental or physical health is suffering
- You spend more time at work than at home
- You want more time with friends or family
- You find when you are home, you aren’t motivated to do anything
- You feel burnt out
- You have lost motivation for your work
- You have started a family and want to prioritise them
Having a good work-life balance will mean something different to everyone. Take a look at your life and if you feel you have a good balance of work and fun, and what work may be creeping over into your spare time.
How to explain you’re leaving a job for better work-life balance
It’s easy to get caught up in feeling resentment towards your current job, especially if you are in a stressful environment, but it won’t look good in an interview to talk about that. Focus on what it is you’re looking to achieve, and how this position aligns with those values.
Example of what to say
I make my mental and physical health a priority, and I feel lately this has taken a backseat. Seeing in your job ad that work-life balance is also a value of your business and that you offer wellness-related benefits drew me to the position.
I love my current role, but my next goal is using my skills to help grow a business while also maintaining a healthy work-life balance. I know you’re committed to helping your employees find that balance, so that is very appealing to me.
3. Company culture
You spend a good amount of your time at work, so aligning with the business and its culture is important. When the company culture doesn’t mesh with your personality, it’s a good reason for leaving a job, and a common one at that. In fact, a recent study by SEEK shows 73% of Australians consider company culture very important, with 82% of respondents saying they left a job or would leave a job due to poor workplace culture.
Top reasons people leave a job due to company culture
A toxic workplace can be demotivating and lead to poor mental health. So it’s no surprise people leave businesses due to poor culture. These are some of the top signs of bad workplace culture:
- No room for mistakes
- All work and no play
- Lack of trust
- No clarity around roles and responsibilities
- A lot of office gossip
- High turnover rate
- No boundaries between work and life
- Lack of career support
- Guilt over being sick or taking leave
- Low morale
Pinpointing what it is about the culture you don’t like will help you learn what you value in a workplace. This will be important when looking for a new role.
How to explain you’re leaving a job for company culture
Explaining the reason you’re leaving without being negative can be tricky, even if it’s the best reason for leaving a job for you personally. Try to take yourself and your emotions out of the situation and focus on what it is you’re looking for and what you value. By talking about what you value in a workplace, it will hopefully lead the conversation to how the business prioritises that themselves.
Example of what to say
I thrive in a supporting work environment and pride myself on bringing positivity to any role. This is something I feel is not a priority at my current workplace, so I’m looking for somewhere with similar values to mine.
The business I work for has recently come under new ownership and experienced some major restructuring. Unfortunately, the new owners’ values don’t align with my own, so I’m looking for somewhere, like here, with a more positive workplace culture.
4. Job satisfaction
Not enjoying your role is a perfectly acceptable answer for leaving a job. You may no longer find satisfaction in what you do, you may have matured or changed, or it may be something about the workplace that leaves you wanting more. Whatever it is, finding a new role you’re passionate about can help reignite your fire.
Top causes of job dissatisfaction in the workplace
According to research by SEEK, the most satisfying jobs are roles with a purpose or independence, like disability support work, medical receptionist, truck driver and team leadership. When you no longer have a cause for getting up and going to work each day, that interest can dwindle and you find you’re unproductive and uninspired. Your performance can go downhill and you may even feel the impacts in your personal life, making it a personal reason for leaving a job. Some of the top reasons people are dissatisfied at work include:
- Being underpaid
- Having minimal or no support
- Limited career opportunities
- Lack of meaning or value in the role
- Lack of work-life balance
- Poor management or business structure
- Too many changes or disruptions
- Micromanaging
- Toxic culture
Addressing why you’re dissatisfied can help you find a role that will bring you happiness.
How to explain you’re leaving a job for more job satisfaction
When explaining to an interviewer you’re no longer satisfied by your job, try and frame your answer in the context of what makes you passionate for the role they’re advertising. Turn your focus to what puts a spring in your step when you’re on the way to work and why you love the industry you’re in.
Example of what to say
I like to provide a personalised, one-on-one experience with every customer. With recent changes in performance management, there has been a push for quantity over quality and I haven’t felt like I’m providing the best experience for people who visit the store. I’d love to be able to do that and use my customer service skills to help increase repeat business.
I got into this industry because I love helping people. With how my role has grown, I find I have less time to do this. I was attracted to your role because it would allow me to use all of my skills while still fulfilling my passion for customer support.
5. Relocation
If there’s ever a valid reason for leaving a job, it’s relocation. You may be relocating first and looking for work, or you may be looking for a job that will enable you to relocate. Either way, it’s an exciting time that can open many new pathways for you and your career.
Reasons to embrace relocating for work
Whether you’re relocating for work or finding work after relocating, embracing the change can help you find the right role sooner. Some of the top advantages of relocating include:
- Better career opportunities
- Potentially better salary, more benefits or lower cost of living
- Expanding your network
- Stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new things
If you are considering relocating, weigh up the pros and cons of what moving to another city, state or even country could do for you, your career and your personal life.
How to explain relocating in a job interview
Relocating is one of the top 10 reasons for leaving a job and one of the easiest to explain. If you’re looking to apply for an interstate job, this can be a little trickier, but not one that should hold you back. Explain you’ve been wanting change and growth in your career, and this role ticks every box. Let them know how soon you can move, or discuss the possibility of starting the job online (if it’s an office role) while you transition.
Example of what to say
I recently moved here with my family from out of state, so I am looking for local career opportunities. In my last role, I was on a pathway to a supervisor position, so I am eager to continue on that track in new and exciting position.
I’ve lived in my current location my whole life, but have always loved and wanted to live in [job location]. It’s important my new position is one where I can use my skills and knowledge, so this role makes perfect sense to me. I’ve already found accommodation, so once I’m ready to go in a new role.
6. Job loss
Losing your job is one of the trickiest reasons for leaving a job to explain. There are many reasons for losing a job and your answer will depend on the specifics of your situation. For example, being made redundant warrants a different response to being fired for poor performance. But no reason should hold you back from answering the question truthfully.
Why people may have lost their job
Losing your job can be emotional whatever the situation and most people won’t have time to mourn a job loss before looking for a new role. Many reasons for losing your job are outside of your control, like a business closing down or needing to cut back on staff due to financial reasons.
Five of the most common reasons people lose their job include:
- Redundancy
- Misconduct
- Performance issues
- Company downsizing
- Business shutting down
Remember, the interviewer will likely find out if you were let go during their reference checks, so make sure you answer honestly and professionally.
How to explain why you lost your job in an interview
Whatever the reason for resignation or losing your job, when you’re asked about why you left in an interview, be honest and positive. The longer you’ve been with a business, the more interested interviewers will be in why you’re leaving, so it’s a near guarantee they’ll ask if you’ve been in a role for more than three years. Keep calm, practise your answer and don’t criticise your old workplace.
Example of what to say
The past few years have been hard for the industry and I was unfortunately made redundant with many others in the company. I see this as an opportunity for me to find a new and more challenging role.
Unfortunately, my previous company and I didn’t align on our values, so we came to the decision that it was best for me to move on and use my skills in an environment where I can thrive.
Reason for leaving your current job: Best answers
Whether you were made redundant, are looking for career growth or have personal reasons for leaving a job, here are some basic tips on answering why you’re job hunting that will reflect well on you. These include:
- Staying positive
- Talking about the future, not the past
- Being honest
- Adding a clear motivation for leaving
- Answering concisely (don’t ramble)
- Personalising your response to say you’re excited for what you’ll bring to the new role
Bad-mouthing your former or soon-to-be-ex workplace can raise red flags for the interviewer. This is where distancing yourself from the details and speaking generally about what happened and how you’re looking for a new opportunity will allow you to use your skills, knowledge and experience.
What not to say
There are some things you should definitely not say when asked about why you want to leave your current employer, especially if you’re leaving a job you hate. It can be hard to speak nicely about a workplace when there was conflict or you left on bad terms, but by focusing on future opportunities, you can stay positive. Some things not to say when asked about why you’re leaving your job include:
- Negative things about your employer, manager or the people at your current job
- Salary or money
- Defensive or vague statements about what happened
- Oversharing personal information
One of the worst things you can do when asked about why you’re leaving your job is lie. If the interviewer or employer were to find out, the fact you were dishonest can often be worse than the truth.
How to answer on a job application
If you’re asked for a reason for leaving a job on an application, you will want to be as positive and concise as possible. You don’t need to give specific reasons in the job application, rather include what you’re hoping to achieve in getting a new job.
Examples of how to respond to why you are looking for a new job on an application may include:
- Looking for new challenges
- Searching for new opportunities
- Wanting to utilise skills in a management role
- Interested in changing industry
These responses will work if you’re looking for a new job, quit, were fired, were made redundant or are relocating. Of course, this is just one step in writing a good job application – there’s a lot more to it than that!
Answering why you’re leaving your job can be an uncomfortable part of a job interview. It’s important to keep in mind that the interviewer simply wants to know what your goals are and how they align with the role and the business.
In your interview, stay calm, give yourself time to think and always answer as positively as possible. Remember: there is no reason for leaving a current job best answer – the perfect response will depend on your situation. Keeping these tips in mind will help you prepare your answer and practise it, so you can be as confident as possible when the question comes up.
FAQs
What if my reason for leaving is because of a conflict with my manager?
If the reason for leaving your current or last job was due to conflict with your manager, be honest, but don’t bad-mouth them or the company. Leaving a job because of conflict with a manager is quite common and is one of many valid reasons for leaving a job. It’s often not surprising to a hiring manager. Be honest that there was conflict with a manager, without specifically detailing the events or people.
Should I mention that I was fired from my previous job?
You should not try to hide being fired or let go from your previous job at an interview, as it’s likely the hiring manager will find out during your reference checks. Ideally, you would tell the interviewer the reason for leaving your job unprompted, when they ask why you’re looking for a new role. Practise your response, avoiding language like ‘sacked’, ‘fired’ or ‘terminated’. Use neutral phrases that convey the situation objectively.
What if I don't have a specific reason for leaving?
While you don’t need specific reasons for leaving a job, it is best to have a response prepared if you are going for an interview. Most people who are looking for a new job or considering a new opportunity will have a reason for doing so. Write a list of what you don’t enjoy about your current job or what you would like to gain, such as higher pay, more flexibility with work arrangements or more career progression. You could even just be bored and looking for your next challenge.
Is it ever okay to lie about the reason for leaving my current job?
No, you should never lie about the reason why you are leaving your current job in an interview. If you’re found out, you’ll look dishonest and it will hurt your application. It’s likely the interviewer will find out the truth when they do reference checks with your past workplace.
