Best Answer for “Reason for Job Change” Interview Question

For most Service Personnel, a time comes when he/she will be looking for a job change. You will obviously face some common questions in the interview. One of the most common questions is “Why do you want to Leave your Current Job”. The interviewer may also ask you why you want to join our company.

Because of the first word, why, this question will make even the most experienced interviewee wriggle a little. A question that begins with the word “why” puts you on the defensive right away. Believe it or not, your response to this question might make or break your interview impression.

A position or title change within an organization is not as up-front as one would think, on account of several managers’ aversion to changing a good thing. If you’ve decided to leave your current employment, make sure to explain why to any potential employers.

You’ll have to think about how you answer this one! An employer is looking for a response that shows you’ve given this some consideration. Give a response that is both truthful and straightforward.

So when you are on the verge of leaving a job you have to sort out some scenarios and you need this how to manage these situations in the best possible manner.

There are three prime situations you may face:

• You are present in an interview and the interviewer asks the question “why do you want to leave your last job”?
• You’re applying for a new position, and one of the conditions is that you explain why you quit your previous job.
• You’re quitting your current job and need to have a justification for your departure from your current boss.

It may put you in an embarrassing situation like the reason for a job change if asked while giving an interview, but it has a good part as well. You can extend the same logic to the other two scenarios until you understand how to better explain your reasons for leaving for one of the scenarios described above.

Let’s describe the first case during your interview and how you will answer the question and then it will be easier for you to answer when the question is given on the application or in a conversation with your present boss.

Reasons for a Job change, During an Interview:

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When you are asked this question during an interview, the HR manager wants to know more about you. They want to figure out whether you are the right person to fill the vacancy or not. In this case, they’re trying to understand whether you’ll be a good fit for the business. They’re looking for signs that you’re a career builder who can work well with managers, coworkers, and customers. They want to know that you are responsible, loyal, and can cope with the work culture of the organization.

If you want to leave on your own, the boss would want to confirm you did so for the right reasons. Was it because of performance or reputation problems, or because of other situations such as downsizing, mergers, or a slew of other non-performance-related issues if you were asked to leave? They don’t want to hear that you were fired for a reason that’s why you’re leaving your job because you despise your colleagues or boss, or that you’re leaving because you don’t think you’ll fit in at their business.

Do you still have a good rapport with your former employer or not?  Your past boss can be one of the best references. This is a perfect opportunity for a potential new employer to see that you’re not only a good employee, but also that you have strong positive relationship skills, which are still in high demand in the business world.

Tips to tackle job change situations

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It’s also a good idea to practice answers to the question of the reason for a job change if you’ve been fired. If you’re prepared, you can even turn the experience into a positive one.

Jobs fizzle out for a variety of reasons. If you’re a freelancer, you’ve likely finished the job for which you were appointed and are ready to move on. It’s a little more difficult if you’re a full-time salaried employee.

Answer the question “Reasons For a Job Change”

Here are some tips on how to answer the question of why you want to change your job.

1. Note down the causes for leaving your job

Scrutinize your CV and consider the causes you left each of the positions you’ve mentioned. Make a list of the reasons for your departure. If you can’t recall why you held all of your previous jobs, consider the following questions:

• What drew you to this position?
• What did you hope to get out of the job?
• What was the difference between your aspirations and the real work environment?
• What part of your career did you despise the most?
• Were you enthusiastic about achieving your objectives?
• Is your next work bringing you closer to your career objectives? Why do you think that is?

Select one or two major reasons for each job until you have a good understanding of the possible explanations. Make sure that the reasons you choose are practiced. If you changed jobs due to your marriage, for instance, it’s best not to mention it in a job interview. Instead, if your former work required night shifts, you might state that you preferred to switch to a day shift.

2. Don’t get confused and be direct to the point

Rather than trying to knit long tales, get right to the point. In a sentence or two, shed light on why you’re leaving. Return to what you like about the new work and why you are the best choice for it right away.

3. Be truthful in your response

Your former employer can be contacted by the interviewing company to validate the information you provided. Any inconsistency in the data casts doubt on your credibility and reduces the chances of being recruited. As a result, be truthful in your answer. Explain the situation honestly while being respectful of your boss.

4. Keep a positive attitude

If you quit your former job because of a bad experience, you should keep a decent attitude. Make an effort to represent yourself as a problem solver who can handle difficult situations. Talk over encouraging experiences such as the new skills you learned, the nice relationship you had with your boss, and the fun you had with your team.

Instead of saying, “The manager did not respect my job,” say, “The manager did not value my work.” It was a time-consuming job. I wasn’t getting any new information.’ Consider saying something like, ‘The job allowed me to gain experience in a variety of areas.’ I’m looking for a job that will allow me to expand on those abilities on a larger scale.’

5. Be prepared for follow-up queries

The interviewer might ask you some follow-up questions based on the reasons you gave for your job change. If you expressed a desire to work in a different job role, the interviewer could inquire if you applied for the desired position at your current employer.

When you are preparing your answer about the reason for the job change, keep thinking about the follow-up questions that may turn up in your interview.

Being ready and planning your answer will help you sound self-confident and convincing as well.

The Reason for Job Change – Sample answers

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Prepare an answer for the interview that validates why you want to work for this company and in this precise position. Keep it optimistic when emphasizing the skills and experience that make you a superior applicant.

Sample Answer 1: I was fortunate enough to land a job at a startup right out of college, which meant I had to wear several hats from the start. Now I’m excited to apply my skills to a more senior ability.

Why Does It Work? This answer is upbeat about a potentially challenging work environment while stressing that the applicant has the expertise, experience, and approach required for success in the new position.

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Sample Answer 2: I enjoy assisting writers in their development. In my current role, I’ve had the prospect of mentoring some experts who possessed the expertise our readers required but lacked the writing skills required to put those ideas into print. I’m looking forward to doing the same thing in a non-profit environment, where I can put my aptitudes to good use while still giving back to my community.

Why does it work? This response demonstrates the candidate’s willingness to help others learn, as well as their ability to improve expertise in their field and anticipate the next challenge. This response also represents a commitment to the organization’s mission, which is crucial in non-profits.

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Sample Answer 3: As a responsible individual, I strive for a balanced work-life balance. I’ve always wanted to work for an organization that values its workers’ time and offers work-hour flexibility to help them fulfill their professional obligations on time. As mentioned in the job description, I like the idea of informal work culture in your company.

Why does it work? If you’re applying for a new job because it offers more flexibility and convenience than your current job, you may want to tell your interviewer about it. However, you should mention your reason so that the interviewer does not understand you as someone unable to put in the effort. Make the most of this opportunity to establish yourself as a conscientious professional who understands the importance of time.

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Sample Answer 4: I’ve been named best salesperson five times in the last two years, and I’ve regularly reached or surpassed my monthly goals. My colleagues look up to me for guidance and admire me. Now it’s up to me to take it to the next stage.

Why does it work? Prepare a list of previous accomplishments that demonstrate your talents and demonstrate how well you have done at your current work. Connect these positive qualities to the qualities that are required of those in the new position or title. This is only possible if you methodically research the new tasks and work duties.

Tips for answering the question “reason for job change”

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• Do not make critical remarks about your former employer or your manager. Often validate that you are leaving your former employer with no ill feelings.
• Remind them that you are committed to the company’s mission statement and that your commitment would be a valuable benefit to the organization.
• Reveal your enthusiasm for the upcoming opportunity and your ability to learn and develop.
• Be sure to provide a summary of the previous organization’s achievements.
• Don’t talk about money straightaway. Just talk about it when you’re asked.
• Talk about your whole career journey.
• Consider providing an external justification for your career change.

If you’re asked this question in an interview, keep it positive, flaunt your achievements, and recall the old proverb, “if you can’t say anything good, don’t say anything in the least.”

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