Why are you leaving your job? Here's how to nail the answer

That said, headhunters and recruiters do know that loyalty to an employer is declining among younger generations. A 2023 study from WorkProud affirms this, stating that just 23% of workers aged 42 and under expressed a strong desire to stay with their current employers long-term, dropping even further to only 18% among those aged 30 and younger.

But what if you could flip “Why are you looking to leave your current job?” from a question about your departure from your workplace to one that strategically addresses your future aspirations and career goals? As Dina Talotta, a PCC-level executive coach and consultant with over two decades of experience in leadership development and coaching for global professionals and organizations, puts it, “Every question presented to you is an opportunity to present yourself.”

Talotta shares best practices for answering this almost inevitable interview question, how to recover if you stumble during your response, and tips on providing an answer that highlights your eagerness to grow and learn within a new organization.

Why headhunters ask “Why are you looking to leave your current job?”

It might feel like a trap, but the more likely scenario is a genuine interest in understanding why you’re transitioning between roles. If your first instinct is to freeze up or question the interviewer’s motivations, you could quickly find yourself slipping into a place of fear, which might cause you to become defensive and allow negativity to creep into your answer.

Talotta advises that this is the moment to check your mindset. “Treat your interview as an opportunity to showcase yourself—what it’s like to work with you as a colleague? Don’t focus on trick questions; instead, maintain a positive and proactive outlook.”

Once you’ve adopted the right mindset, let that guide how you frame your responses. Keep in mind that this will likely be one of the first questions in your interview and could shape the rest of the conversation, depending on how you answer it.

How to approach the question “Why are you looking to leave your current job?”

While you should lead with an optimistic outlook, it’s important to balance that with just the right amount of honesty and practicality. Talotta explains, “You can frame your response constructively by staying authentic, but avoid toxic positivity. Steer clear of overly negative or detailed explanations, such as criticizing leadership or internal issues.”

Essentially, keep the focus on yourself rather than your employer. Regardless of your current work circumstances, your response should highlight your personal aspirations, goals, and career trajectory, rather than pointing out your company’s faults or your feelings about them. To do this, Talotta recommends using action- and future-oriented language with “I”-focused statements that directly address your ambitions. These responses can range from purely professional to more personal, depending on what feels authentic to you.

For a professional response, Talotta suggests: “I am an opportunity-oriented person. If my current company were to offer me this role, I’d be just as interested—but they haven’t. I know what I’m working towards, and while it’d be great if it could happen here, I’m also open to exploring other organizations where it might be possible.”

However, it’s important to recognize that career changes often involve personal factors as well, and it’s okay to acknowledge those when appropriate. Talotta explains: “Maybe the response is: ‘I’m a working mother. The way I approached work 10 years ago and the way I do so now look really different.’ I’m not saying we have to divulge a ton of personal information, but it’s okay to let people in a little bit about who you are.” Balancing professional aspirations with a touch of personal authenticity can make your answer feel genuine and relatable—this is ultimately the goal. Keep it human.

Oops, I said too much: How to recover if you’ve taken a wrong turn

If you’re generally satisfied with your current workplace, it will likely be easier to maintain a positive approach. However, if frustrations or negative experiences are weighing on you, your emotions could get the best of you. If that happens, Talotta recommends taking a pause and a deep breath—you can still save the conversation.

“For example, if you accidentally mention a toxic boss or a negative experience, you can pivot by saying, ‘I respect their efforts, but I’m prioritizing my professional growth and goals,’” she suggests. The key, again, is to steer your response back to your goals and how they align with the potential new position.

Additionally, if you’re coming from a high-profile organization facing public challenges, avoid diving into PR discussions. For instance, if you’re with a major tech company making headlines for layoffs or structural changes, it’s not your role to address those topics during an interview. Instead, focus on your personal narrative and what you’ll bring to the table in this new job

Do you want to leave your current job? Personal reflection and practice

Before someone else asks you the question, consider asking it yourself first. Talotta emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and preparation, noting, “Forget about whether a headhunter is concerned if you’re loyal to a company; you need to be loyal to yourself first,” she begins. “When we’re disloyal to ourselves and we betray ourselves by saying yes to opportunities just because of the comp or because it’s a sexy brand, we lose sight of our career goals. So make sure you get really clear about who you are and what you value.”

If you decide the new opportunity is worth departing your current job for, then it’s time to start practicing. Talotta advises, “You can talk to a fake Zoom room just to see how you interact digitally, and practice in person too. How we show up digitally and how we show up in person can sometimes be different.” Rehearsing in multiple scenarios will ensure you’re ready to present yourself with confidence, regardless of the medium.

On top of multiple scenarios, practice multiple variations of your answer. The question could be framed in different ways, such as “Why would you leave such a great company?” or “What happened at X company that’s made you pursue something else?” Again, shift focus towards yourself. When forced to specifically acknowledge the company you work with, Talotta says to lead with gratitude, offering as a potential reply, “I’m really proud of the experience I’ve had here. I feel content with what I’ve accomplished and what we’ve built. And I’m ready for what’s next in my career.”

Key takeaways for answering “Why are you looking to leave your current job?”

By preparing thoughtful, adaptable, and authentic responses to the question, “Why are you looking to leave your current job?” you’ll not only communicate clarity and confidence but also demonstrate respect for your current role while focusing on your aspirations. Here are the main things to remember:

• Reframe the opportunity: Approach the question with a growth mindset by positioning yourself as someone actively pursuing opportunities. Instead of dwelling on leaving your current role, steer the conversation toward how the prospective opportunity aligns with your ambitions and aspirations.
• Maintain professional positivity: Stay forward-looking and avoid negativity about your current job, even if challenges exist. Remember to show gratitude for your current role by acknowledging its positives and what it’s helped you accomplish up until this point.
• Prepare and practice what you’ll say: Preparing multiple responses and practicing them verbally—both in person and online—will help ensure you don’t stumble. Rehearsing helps you avoid pitfalls like negativity, over-focusing on your current employer’s flaws, or not taking ownership of your career goals.
• Stay true to you: Maybe the real answer to “Why are you looking to leave your current job?” ends up being, “I’m not!” Rather than considering what this might say about your loyalty to a company, think about what is loyal and true to you. Answer authentically and remain positively steadfast in seeking opportunities for the future, not focusing on your past.

Photo: Welcome to the Jungle

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