L is for… why do you want to LEAVE your current role?
(or why did you LEAVE your job with X?)
Interviewers will ask this question to get a better understanding of why you applying to work for them, and the circumstances in which you might move on. When answering this question it is important to not speak negatively about your previous/current employer (and boss) and list a range of irrelevant personal reasons or gripes which really have no place in the interview context and quite frankly may lose you the job. In my last three jobs, all my bosses/interviewers have known or known of each other.
This question should always be answered with positive reasons.
Positive reasons might include:
- that you are taking a step up the career ladder
- that you are wanting to take on a new or greater challenge
- that you are wanting to diversify what you do or learn or add new skills
- that you are seeking greater opportunities or looking to take on different opportunities
- that you are seeking further career advancement (or even personal advancement)
Whatever your real reason is – this is one of those questions where it is usually better to be professional and selective in answering the question rather than brutally honest.
Using your career journal will help you find inspiration for Interview Questions and help you prepare, practice and review your answers. This can be a great technique which is why I have chosen to use the A to Z of Interview Questions Posts as Journal Prompts. If you don’t already have a career journal this is the perfect excuse to get started.