How can I avoid prying questions about why I left my job?

21 Comments

1. Cyndi RosenblattAugust 2,2022 at 7:23PM UTC

   The only thing I can think that anyone would bother with is asking what your career goals actually are, which you should have an answer to anyway. There are plenty of restructures that result in flattening hierarchies (so there's no room for promotions) or shifting responsibilities so the entire focus isn't of interest to you any longer. Not things I would spend my limited time getting into as an interviewer, unless the original answer was off.

   This one wouldn't register as anything to follow up on. Might have some different opinions, but I personally wouldn't give this too much extra thought.

   Maybe have a set response of, "that's internal information I'm not comfortable divulging." And if they do dig into pointless trivia, you probably don't want to work with them anyway.

2. AnonymousAugust 2,2022 at 9:46PM UTC

   This makes a lot of sense!

3. AnonymousAugust 2,2022 at 7:30PM UTC

   A follow-up answer might be that the way they'd restructured put you in a position where you didn't feel you could contribute your best. And you want to be in a position to make a valuable contribution to the organization's success.

   But that said, I'd be a bit concerned about an interview where they focus too much on why you're leaving your previous job.

4. AnonymousAugust 2,2022 at 7:55PM UTC

   Be careful with using the word "we". I don't know if you meant to, but you said "we decided". This potentially opens you up to the question of who "we" is. Or makes them assume that it was a mutual split or that you are in a relationship with someone important enough to be involved in those decisions (if you have a wedding ring on obviously this also indicates that).

   If that isn't what you want, might be better to say "They were restructuring the department and, after seeing the final structure, I decided that it wasn't the right direction for my career goals." Small change switching out the we for an I but it makes it seem like it was your decision and no one else's.

5. AnonymousAugust 2,2022 at 8:16PM UTC

   Stick with variations on the same first answer. As in:

   1. "WE" didn't decide anything. I decided that while I enjoyed my time there, the new direction would take my career in another direction.

   2. I've worked hard to build my career and I would like to stick to x,y and z. The restructuring would take me away from the areas x, y and z that I enjoy.

6. AnonymousAugust 2,2022 at 8:18PM UTC

   The only part of your answer that concerns me is your reference to “we decided that it wasn’t the right direction for my career goals.”

   Your use of “we” might cause some to conclude that your prior company wanted you to depart. I would change the phrasing to “I decided”, which makes you the change agent.

   If pressed, an appropriate answer is that processes or strategies were changed to de-emphasize your area of expertise or focus. You can then go on to say that your expertise/focus area have been a source of profits/growth for your company and that you want to bring this result to a new company.

7. AnonymousAugust 2,2022 at 8:36PM UTC

   I would make my response as non-punitive as possible--I wanted a new challenge, or I wanted a change. Make it about what you're hoping to get out of obtaining a new position and not what the company you're leaving wants you to believe about yourself.

8. Barb HansenAugust 2,2022 at 8:38PM UTC

   You: "While I enjoyed my time at Company A, and I gained a lot of experience while working there, due to a corporate restructure, my role no longer fit my career goals and I choose to leave"

   Them: "tell me more"

   When they say "tell me more" you have the option to give specifics on how your role would have changed at your previous company while highlighting your skill set for this new company.

   You: "While working in the marketing department, my role included interacting with both the sales and the executive team and that interaction supported my career goal of moving into a senior growth marketing position. I found that integrating with both the sales and executive team helped me see how my marketing plans could balance the immediate needs of sales while supporting the longer term strategic needs of the company. But when a corporate restructure occurred my role was strictly focused on corporate marketing, and with that switch, I realized my creativity was better suited for growth marketing. "

   Obviously, I don't know what your career is, so I just made something up in my example above, but you get my drift.

9. Audrey KirschAugust 2,2022 at 10:00PM UTC

   Just say that you were really unhappy at your last job, it wasn't a good fit for you so you've decided to explore new options. Then launch into the reasons you are applying for the job.

10. Becca A.August 2,2022 at 10:47PM UTC

    I push back against this as although workplaces have become more open. There are still some traditions that stay cemented and workplaces not wanting an employee who can come off as negative in any capacity is one of them.

11. Becca A.August 2,2022 at 10:44PM UTC

    You keep your replies short, optimistic and vague. So something along the lines of " I left for continued growth. " full stop. If there is a silence then learn to be comfortable with it. As interviewers are privy to the fact that interviweees are more subsectable to want to fill the silence due to the mixture of anxious nerves that comes with interviewing. Don't give into it.

    Learn to be comfortable with uncomfortable situations.

12. AnonymousAugust 3,2022 at 3:21AM UTC

    I have never actually been asked this, and I show up to the interview prepared to tell them anyway -- and then I do. I always regret offering that information. There are a jillion good reasons to leave, but they aren't probing for a good reason. If they do ask, they may just want to be sure you're not "difficult."

    The best answer is always - your organization is great and this position offers me a challenging next step within my career path.

13. Becca A.August 3,2022 at 3:56AM UTC

    Loved this.

14. Vicki LandersAugust 3,2022 at 12:08PM UTC

    This can be answered by talking about how you are looking forward to grow and knew in this organization you had reached your max potential. Then segway into how this company you are interviewing with WILL allow you to grow!

15. AnonymousAugust 3,2022 at 12:09PM UTC

    I have answered this question by saying that I'm ready for a new challenge and have gotten all I can out of my current role. It has been sufficient and no one has asked me to expand.

16. AnonymousAugust 3,2022 at 2:07PM UTC

    Employers who “pry” are just looking to confirm that you won’t leave them if something happens that you don’t like, or that you weren’t the problem. And it may be that the question is a clue that the company is a distrustful environment with high turnover. But it’s also them looking out for hiring people good for the team.

    Your answer should not focus on other reasons why you left, but on a pivot to how this new positions IS a fit for your career goals.

17. AnonymousAugust 3,2022 at 3:00PM UTC

    Funny how nobody ever believes this, yet you are not allowed to be "negative" in any way. The point is, I have never left a job for a good reason unless I happened to be relocating. Nobody ever leaves a place where they are happy unless they secure another job first with MORE money.

    Why interviewers do not get this, I do not understand. I have dug my heels in and stuck with the most toxic places because I like the money. You would think this would be a good thing. I will never leave without something else unless I am let go.

    And yes, I know....; the bosses are NEVER the problem. That seems to be rule number one.

18. Maegan, Nike Sales Rep & Career CoachAugust 3,2022 at 6:48PM UTC

    You can just just focus on growth and career opportunity when answering :)

19. crystalAugust 4,2022 at 3:08PM UTC

    I am struggling with this, as well. I do not know what to say or avoid saying.

20. AnonymousAugust 8,2022 at 6:34PM UTC

    I know what to say. I just can't say it with anything resembling conviction because it is a lie. I should have studied acting so I could lie better.

21. PatriciaAugust 12,2022 at 9:10AM UTC

    I recently left a toxic environment after a few months. To avoid being asked this question by multiple recruiters and hiring managers I updated my resume with "Backfill for short secondment" in brackets after the role.... it seems to do the trick.

    However, if I were being asked for more detail I put it back on them: "What precisely do you need me to qualify?"

    My usual response: "I understand why you’d be concerned, so I want to express to you that I’m interested in working at a company where I can stay and grow, and I see this as the perfect opportunity to do that."