How to Answer “Why did you leave your last job?”

One of the most common questions you’ll be asked in an interview is “Why did you leave your last job?” or maybe “Why are you looking to leave your current job?”. It can be a tricky question to answer.  

Why do interviewers ask this question? 

Interviewers ask this for a few reasons. One is to understand your career progression and if your transitions make sense. Did you leave past roles for growth? Relocation? A better fit? Or was it due to performance or conflict? 

Your answer to this question also helps reveal your attitude and professionalism. If you instantly start bad-mouthing your past employer as the reason for leaving a job, the hiring manager will likely see this as a red flag. 

Ultimately, employers want to feel assured that if hired, you would be a good long-term fit for their company, and this question plays a part in answering that. 

Unless there is an easy answer, such as it was a temporary position or you relocated to a new area, it could be a complicated question to answer truthfully without the interviewer drawing the wrong assumption. 

Here are some examples of suitable answers to this common interview question: 

• “I’ve worked at the organization for a long time (number of years) and wanted to experience a different environment to help me to grow.” 
  
• “I’m looking for an opportunity to advance my career and gain new skills.” 
• “A former colleague or boss recruited me to join their company.” 
• “I was offered a considerable pay increase.” 
• “My company hired a new manager, and I felt it was the right time to find a new opportunity.” 
• “My role changed over time, and I was no longer doing what I was interested in and passionate about.” 
• “I reassessed my career goals and decided my current role no longer fit those goals, so I decided to look for something that better aligned.” 
• “I didn’t feel I had any more opportunity to grow or further my career in the role, so I decided to look for a change.” 
• “I’m looking to take on new responsibilities that my current role does not offer.” 
• “My current role isn’t allowing me to utilize all of my skills, and I would like to find something more challenging.” 
• “The commute to my last job was becoming a challenge, so I took (or am looking for) a position closer to home.” 
• “My position was eliminated after the company restructured, and I was laid off.” 
• “I left my last job for family reasons and I’m now able to return to work.” 

Be prepared to explain in a little more detail if your answer prompts it. For example, if you’re looking for a job that uses more of your skills, be prepared to explain what skills you’re hoping to utilize.  

Also, keep in mind you don’t need to explain everything. If you left your last job to handle a family issue or something else personal, you don’t need to go into detail and the interviewer should not expect a detailed answer. 

When answering the question “Why did you leave your last job?”, it’s best to keep things positive. Focus on the future, framing your answers around what you’re looking for and the contributions you can bring to the table, instead of what you’re leaving behind. 

Looking for more interview tips and prep? Check out AgHires Career Advice Blog and our YouTube channel. 

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