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Anonymous

April 6,2022 at 10:37PM UTC

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Hi Everyone! I love reading the responses to questions asked here as they are very insightful and thoughtful.

I am not happy in my current position at my current company. It's not entirely the position but rather the company and my direct boss. I have been submitting applications and just received an invite to talk to a recruiter about a position I applied for. I know they are going to ask me why I want to leave my current job and more frightening (to me) why I am applying for a "senior" analyst role when I am in a management position. I think I myself am hung up on this question as well. Do I really want to leave a management role and jump down a level for a company that seems better (assuming they even offer me the position)? What if its not much better? Has anyone been in this situation before and/or can offer advice on what they would do? Thank you so much!

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AnonymousApril 6,2022 at 11:03PM UTC
I've been there and learned to take on a "just shopping" mindset when interviewing. I offer the simple answer that I really enjoy (fill in the blank) within the right company culture and in the right industry. I leave it short and sweet.
I ask a ton of questions about the management style, work/life balance and direction of the company. I remain engaged and collect enough information to let me know if the particular role is something I'd like to further explore.
If you treat your interviews as opportunities to "shop" the company and position it keeps your perspective and allows you to vet the opportunity to find out if it's even right for you. You're window shopping trying to decide if you want to go into the dressing room to see it's a fit. Further down the road, if you receive an offer, you'll decide whether the price is worth the investment.
You see, so many are passive in the process and it puts them in a defense posture. Allowing the interview to happen to them. I have learned to be as much of a driver as the recruiter because my career, expertise is valuable and I need to vet the company just as much as they need to vet me.
Only you can ultimately decide whether to accept an offer but there is a whole lot of information that needs to be shared leading up to that point. You are in a power position so worrying about all the "what ifs" doesn't really serve you very well. Get as much information so you can make an informed decision.
AnonymousApril 6,2022 at 11:11PM UTC
I love this, brilliant. Thank you for this response, it is incredibly helpful.
AnonymousApril 6,2022 at 11:25PM UTC
:-) keep an open mind, go in with curiosity and explore. If nothing else, use the opportunity to practice your interview skills and to determine whether the role is a goldmine or just a black hole.
A senior analyst at one company is not the same senior analyst at another. And after a view exploratory interviews with various companies you'll determine whether there is a life for you outside management. Whatever you learn will just prepare you for your future. Good luck.
AnonymousApril 6,2022 at 11:47PM UTC
Why are you considering the role? Is it that you want a position where you can focus on your own work? Is it fear and self-doubt? If you can figure-out what makes this role and title appealing then you can describe the transition to "lower ranking" role as a positive. For example: you want the opportunity to do deep dives in a way that managers are not able because of their administrative responsibilities.
Lesa Edwards, Career Coach & Master Resume WriterApril 7,2022 at 1:53PM UTC
Important that you clarify for yourself why you are taking a step down the ladder. Is it what you really want, or are you struggling with thoughts of inadequacy or doubt?
In coaching my clients, I encourage them to be truthful...just not necessarily entirely truthful. (In other words, don't vomit up the whole story, but don't lie either.)
AnonymousApril 7,2022 at 2:04PM UTC
I've never actually been asked in an interview why I wanted to leave a job, only why I had applied for the specific job I was interviewing for.
SamanthaApril 7,2022 at 3:54PM UTC
Keep it short and sweet, it's not going to carry that much weight. Just say, I'm looking for new opportunities.
AnonymousApril 10,2022 at 1:52PM UTC
I’ve never been asked why I wanted to leave the job I was in. I have sometimes been asked why I was interested in the job I applied for.
Deb HornerApril 10,2022 at 2:24PM UTC
At different stages of our lives, we often find ourselves with too much stress. Stepping back a level is good self care.