Want to find out how to describe why you left your job during an interview? Keep on reading. It’s an uncomfortable topic, but it happens to everyone at some point: you’ve got to leave your job. Whether it’s because of a bad boss or a toxic workplace culture, it can be tricky to explain that in an interview setting.
Many companies will ask you “Why did you leave your last job?” or other questions related directly to why you left your last role. It may seem like there’s only one way to answer these questions during an interview, but there are actually several approaches that can help you better prepare for this scenario.
There are ways to give the impression that leaving was in no way indicative of any problems with your character or work ethic!
Why Do Employers Care About Your Past Employment?
They want to know if you have been responsible, hard-working, and reliable. They also want to know if you can work well with others, since it will decide how you will be in the new role.
So, when describing why you left a previous job, be sure to focus on how it affected your performance and how it may have affected any relationships that were important for your career goals at the time.
How to Answer Effectively
When you’re asked about the reason for leaving a job, be specific. Don’t say something vague like, “I didn’t feel like I fit in.” Instead, frame your response in terms of the tasks or responsibilities that weren’t aligned with what you wanted out of a job, for example:
“When I started at this company, I thought it was going to be an exciting opportunity. However, there was very little exposure to new technologies and products. After six months on the job, it became clear that wasn’t the case.
Be honest with yourself when answering this question. It’s better for your interviewer and their business if they know exactly why someone has left or moved on from a position before taking them on board.
You don’t want them assuming anything about your character because of something as simple as “I just didn’t feel like working there anymore.”
Things to Avoid While Answering
Remember that you are creating an impression while you answer this question. The one factor that screams unprofessionalism is being negative. Do not badmouth your ex-coworkers or ex-boss, even if they were horrible to you.
If it’s a grave matter, try to phrase it in professional words, but avoid using negative words or adjectives to refer to them.
Try not to be vague or evasive about this answer. This is where preparation comes in! Make sure that you have a prompt or outline in hand before attending the interview. However, instead of preparing a detailed paragraph, make sure your language is free-flowing and natural.
Never lie in your interview, because it will backfire. The same applies to your resume, cover letter, linkedin, and everything you use to apply for jobs. It is much better to be honest and get jobs that appeal to and challenge your level of expertise.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that employers are interested in your reasons for leaving a job. If they’re not happy with what they hear, they won’t hire you. So be prepared to explain why you left your previous job and what steps you took to ensure that it wouldn’t happen again.
You do not have to be stressed while answering because honestly, leaving jobs is the commonest of all phenomena! Be confident and make sure you have an honest and solid reply.
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