Interviews · 5 min read
How do I answer 'Why are you leaving your job?'
Talk about what you're moving towards, not what you're escaping. One honest sentence on the reason, then why this role is the next step.
The short answer
Give one honest, neutral sentence about why you're moving on, then spend the rest of your answer on what draws you to this role. 'My team's been restructured and the work has moved away from analysis, which is what I want to do more of. This role is mostly analysis.' Don't criticise your employer or manager, even if they deserve it. If you were laid off, say so plainly; it's common and rarely counts against you.
On this page 4 sections
Towards, not away
Interviewers listen for two things: whether the reason will follow you to their job, and whether you'll talk about them like this one day. A reason framed as what you're moving towards answers both.
Common reasons, reframed
| The real reason | What to say |
|---|---|
| No progression | I've grown as far as I can in this team and want to take on X |
| Bad manager | I'm looking for a team with regular feedback and clear goals |
| Burned out | I want work centred on Y, which my role has moved away from |
| Laid off | My role was cut in a restructure; since then I've done Z |
Keep it short
One or two sentences on the reason, three or four on this job. The longer you spend on what went wrong, the more the interviewer will ask about it.
OffLadder CV, our free Chrome extension, hands any job post to Laddie for a five-question mock interview for that role, weighted to the parts you're least sure of. You answer in your own words.
Questions people ask
- Can I say I'm leaving for more money?
- You can mention it as one factor, but lead with the work. 'I'm looking for a role with more responsibility and pay to match' is fine.
- What if I hate my boss?
- Don't say it. Describe what you want instead: 'I work best with regular feedback, and I'm looking for a team where that's normal.'
- How do I explain being laid off?
- Plainly and briefly: 'My role was one of 40 cut when the company closed its London office.' Then move to what you've done since and why this role.
- What if I was fired?
- Be honest without detail, and say what you learned: 'It wasn't the right match. I learned I need clearer goals, and I ask about them up front now.'
- What if I've only been in my job a short time?
- Say what changed: the role turned out different from the advert, the company changed direction, or a clearer opportunity came up.
Exercises are practice, not evidence of career fit or a qualification. How to read our guides and report a correction.
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