“Why did you quit your previous job”: what answer is needed?

An interview is usually the last stage of selection for employment. After you pass the employment tests and any other stages of assessment, there is an interview. This is a decisive stage of selection for which you need to seriously prepare. And, if you are an experienced specialist, be prepared to be asked: “Why did you leave your previous job?” In our article you will find several examples that will help you give a competent answer to this question.

Interviewers usually want to know why you left your last job so they can understand your motivations and goals for employment. Other variations of the same question include:

“Why did you leave your previous job?”
“Why did you quit your job?”
“For what reason are you looking for a new job?”
“Why were you fired?”

It is important that such a question does not take you by surprise. You need to give an honest answer that reflects your specific circumstances, but excludes negativity. That is, even if you left your job because you had difficulties with your boss or because you didn't like the company, now is not the time to share it. Negativity always reduces the candidate's value in the eyes of the employer's representative.

What the Interviewer Really Wants to Know

Interviewers may ask the following questions because the answers to them will say a lot about you:

Did you leave this position voluntarily? Were you fired or did you quit yourself?
Are you on good terms with the management of the company you are leaving?
Does your reason for leaving work seem compelling and justified to you?

Important : How you answer this question will help you better understand what you value in the workplace. This is no longer needed by the interviewer, but by yourself. Think about it.

Record of dismissal in the work book

Expert opinion

Natalia Molchanova

HR manager

According to the law, an entry in the work book reflects the real reason for the dismissal of an employee, therefore the interpretation of the reason must reflect the actual pretext in the regulatory document.

There are a number of possible reasons indicated in the work book:

Dismissal at your own request - in this case, what is required is a reasonable and concise explanation of your desire to change your job, otherwise suspicions of disagreements with your former boss may arise.
Dismissal by mutual consent of the parties is the most preferable entry, characterizing mutually beneficial cooperation and mutual, civilized farewell. The reasons should include a simple explanation.
Dismissal at the initiative of the company is an ambiguous situation; on the one hand, you could be laid off, or the company or department itself was liquidated, and on the other hand, you could be suspected of actions contrary to the charter. But there are no hopeless situations! You should indicate a standard preposition, and then explain the situation at the interview.

If there is no entry in the work book, indicate a standard reason or one that is beneficial to you.

How to answer “Why did you leave your job?”

This question is not so easy to answer. Perhaps you left your job due to constantly long work hours or an extremely inconvenient schedule. If you fail to formulate your answer with sufficient reasoning, you risk appearing lazy or unmotivated, which will turn off the employer.

Note: It is best to answer briefly. Be honest, but phrase it in a way that portrays yourself in a good light.

Keep your answer positive (don't talk badly about your previous employer - that's important!), and try to move on to a discussion about why the new job you're applying for is a perfect match for your skills, knowledge and experience.

If you're still working but planning to quit, change your answers accordingly. Every situation is unique, so try to adapt your response to the circumstances.

Why is a resume written?

A resume is a candidate's calling card for a position. This is a kind of self-assessment of the applicant, in which he includes his personal data, data on education, existing professional skills and qualifications, information about previous places of work and the desired position in the new place. Therefore, the resume must contain clear and reliable information.

A well-written resume is an effective job search tool, the most important goal of which is to make the recruiter who reads it want to meet the applicant in person.

The best resume size is one A4 sheet. Spelling errors in the text and understatements in the biography should not be allowed. Events are listed in reverse chronology.

The main parameter of a resume is the reliability of the information provided. The question about the reason for leaving your previous job will definitely be asked during a personal interview, so it is better to indicate it briefly in your resume.

Examples of best answers

Review these examples, but tailor your answer to your professional circumstances.

To be honest, I wasn’t thinking about changing jobs, but a former colleague recommended me a vacancy in your company. I looked at the position and was very interested in the role and the company. What you are proposing looks like a great opportunity and fits my qualifications perfectly.

Why it works: It's flattering for the company! As long as you don't overdo it with compliments, making it clear that this is the position that brought you into the job market is attractive to interviewers.

I was able to take advantage of an early retirement offer due to company downsizing and am ready for a new job.

Why it works: This particular answer gives the facts without any hint of hurt feelings or negativity.

I was laid off from my last position due to staff reduction, so I am actively looking for work.

Why it works: This is another fact-based answer that helps avoid unnecessary emotion or negativity.

I recently received my professional certification and want to apply my education and technical skills to a new, higher-level job. In my previous job I was unable to achieve this goal.

Why it works: This answer will help the candidate show that he is a true enthusiast, eager to improve his skills and apply new knowledge in practice. Employers consider these qualities positive.

I left my last job to spend more time with a sick family member. Circumstances have changed and I am ready to work full time again.

Why it works: While it's often recommended to avoid getting too personal during interviews, this is a good example of an acceptable reason to leave a company.

Examples of reasons for dismissal

In most cases, the work book indicates “leave at your own request.” Of course, the boss will understand that this phrase most likely hides not the most pleasant story, but the absence of someone else’s wording makes it possible to soften the corners somewhat. The reason for dismissal must be interpreted unambiguously and be:

believable;
capacious;
specific;
understandable;
requiring no further explanation.

However, the last point is controversial: there may be clarifications in any case, but it is still preferable not to use vague expressions.

Neutral reasons for leaving a job

Some reasons are called neutral. Most often, these reasons are related to life circumstances. Below are the most common ones.

Moving. A valid reason for any occasion. It can be added that the change of residence is due to the desire to move up the career ladder, which is not feasible in one’s hometown.
Birth of a child. Relevant primarily for girls. However, men sometimes begin to look for a more profitable position in order to improve their living conditions and provide for a growing family. In fact, this reason is a special case of dismissal due to insufficiently high wages.
Schedule. It is not always possible to combine work with everyday life. Of course, it’s not worth talking about banal laziness and lack of stamina, but there are also valid circumstances: getting an education, caring for a child, health status, disability, caring for a sick relative, etc.
Reduction of personnel or closure of the company. In this case, questions to the applicant are unnecessary.
Change of specialty. Of course, it is worth preparing an answer to the possible “Why?”, but in general this is an acceptable reason, which has only one drawback - the lack of experience in this position.

The best reasons for leaving a job

The right wording can make the dismissal work in the applicant's favor. Sometimes this is an original story that, in a brief summary, shows the beneficial aspects of a character. For example, ideological conflict. Let’s say a machinist worked in the production of soybean semi-finished products and quit when the company began producing meat products. If the new company preaches environmental friendliness and nature conservation, such experience will play into the hands of the applicant and show his integrity and beliefs that correspond to the ideals of the organization. Such circumstances occur relatively rarely. But there are other beneficial reasons for leaving that will increase the attractiveness of a candidate for a vacancy.

Impossibility of professional growth. Perhaps the previous company was small and suitable only for gaining initial experience. The applicant now feels worthy of applying for a position in a larger, more prestigious location.
The previous management refused to implement creative projects. With one phrase you can present yourself as an active, proactive employee and show that this company is modern, has great opportunities and attracts specialists who are ready to work for its benefit.
Inability to master related areas in the previous organization. Any self-respecting specialist supports the principle of continuous education.
Professional burnout. It is not suitable for everyone, but, for example, teachers and psychologists respect colleagues who do not work forcefully, to the detriment of others, but find the strength to change their lives and join a new field.
Desire to work for this company. Of course, it is important to look believable and not be a hypocrite. If the company is truly more prestigious than the previous one, and convincing arguments have been prepared for the interview, the employer will be flattered.

Reasons for dismissal that should not be specified

A neutral reason for dismissal will be ignored, a successful one will turn into an advantage, but there are formulations that should not be indicated. Usually they are not only formulaic, but also extremely repulsive: no one wants to accept an employee who was kicked out with a scandal for absenteeism or arguing with the boss. Even if this is indeed the reason, it is worth describing it as smoothly and gently as possible, minimizing the negative impression. You cannot lie, because the lie will be revealed after one call to your former place of work.

The boss is a tyrant. You cannot criticize former colleagues and management. No matter who is to blame, it is the applicant who will seem incompetent, conflict-ridden, unreasonably demanding and unprofessional. If you didn’t manage to work well with the boss and the team at your last place, who guarantees that you’ll get a job here?
Processing. Perhaps this was the case, and the former boss crossed all acceptable boundaries. But a different conclusion will arise: this is the resume of a person who is afraid of whose work and difficulties.
Stress. Employees value resistance to stress; such a line on a resume is a serious reason for refusal.
Black/gray pay, informal employment, tax evasion. A significant part of people work this way, and many are looking for a new job, wanting to find a white salary and social guarantees. But a person who has previously deceived the state may not only be left without a position, but also bring trouble to himself and his previous place of work.

Any reason for leaving a job can be presented competently. The main thing is to focus on your positive qualities and soberly evaluate what is written. If insincerity cannot be avoided, it is better to omit this point altogether.

What to say when you are fired

If you have been fired from your job, it is important that your feedback is as positive as possible. Try not to blame yourself or your previous employer. Give a brief answer and then continue the conversation.

Here are some sample answers and tips for answering exit interview questions.

Tips for giving the best answer

There are all kinds of reasons to say goodbye to a job you don't like. Perhaps you were not satisfied with your salary, or felt that the company was in chaos, your manager was incompetent, or you were fired at the initiative of your employer. However, not all of these details should be discussed during the interview.

Important: You must be honest, but also responsible for the impact of your answer. Avoid answers that may reflect poorly on you.

Here are some tips on how to prepare an answer that will be well received:

Be honest: You don't have to tell the whole truth. Just remember to focus on the real reason you are leaving. For example, you might say that you are frustrated by the lack of opportunities for growth. Start by describing the things you have already achieved, and then talk about how you were completely deprived of any prospects in the work environment. You will have a great chance of getting a positive response from the employer if you can explain why the position you are applying for is the best fit for you.

Be brief and positive: this is a question to which you need to give a short answer, because if you talk about any details, you risk receiving a clarifying question that is completely unnecessary for you. Most likely, one or two sentences are enough. If possible, try to describe your departure from your previous job in a positive way.

Practice: Practice your answers so they are positive and clear.
Practicing in front of a mirror or a friend will help you feel more comfortable answering this difficult question. This is especially true if you were laid off or quit your job. In such a situation, give a short, clear and dispassionate answer.

Rules for writing reasons for leaving in a resume

Honesty – the main factor is the truthfulness of the information indicated in the column. There is no need to lie about the actual factors of dismissal from your previous job, even if it was noisy, because the information provided in large companies is often checked by the security service, especially for management and high-ranking positions. Example:

The company prefers outdated methods of “doing business”; as a result, my potential and proposals for optimizing production are not in sufficient demand.

Brevity – you shouldn’t go into too much detail about the circumstances of the job change, especially if there’s nothing to write about! The description of care should be short, concise and realistic, for example:

There was no opportunity for career growth

Clarity – let’s be clear about the circumstances! Do not write in general terms, for example: “for family reasons” or “at your own discretion,” since the reason is vague and this will raise additional questions. Example:

The office move affected the ability to get to work on time

It is also worth paying attention to spelling! It is very important to write without errors and use punctuation marks correctly, because... Any self-respecting employer will not hire an illiterate employee.

Situation 3. You were forced to quit

People get fired for a variety of reasons. Here's a short list: economic downturn, downsizing, loss of a key client or contract, restructuring, merger or acquisition, etc. None of these reasons have anything to do with your performance or value as a professional, and hiring managers know that. In fact, they may even sympathize, especially if they have had to let valuable employees go in the past.

Your strategy should be to clarify the reason for your termination. Emphasize your achievements and contribution to the development of the company. Be truthful, but leave out anything that makes you appear vindictive, unprofessional, dishonest or unmotivated.