Good reasons for leaving an employer

21 Comments

1. AnonymousJanuary 11,2024 at 11:33PM UTC

   I would stick with "I was hired for xxxx and the role actually turned into more y. I'm interested in getting back on my path of xxxx "(and then describe how the role you are interviewing for is much more in line with your career interest, experience and education).

2. AnonymousJanuary 12,2024 at 8:29PM UTC

   This has actually happened to me a couple of times. I was set up to fail in one of those times so they had reason to "fire" me, but I was happy to go.

3. Crystal HowellJanuary 12,2024 at 1:30AM UTC

   I want to seek other business opportunities, enough said!

   Good Luck

4. DanaJanuary 12,2024 at 1:31AM UTC

   Family Medical Leave ;)

5. Tami CannizzaroJanuary 15,2024 at 5:39PM UTC

   I disagree with this as it may leave the interviewer to wonder about the situation and if there will need to be additional time off. They are not supposed to ask about our health or family health yet if we open the door by providing this information then...

   I would state something simple, as others have suggested, that 'while I've learned a lot I saw this position and knew it was a great opportunity where I could make an immediate contribution to the organization'

6. AnonymousJanuary 12,2024 at 2:56AM UTC

   Not a good fit.

7. AnonymousJanuary 12,2024 at 3:58AM UTC

   Going through that right now too! Remember to try to leave with your honesty and dignity intact. Too many people get caught up in the drama and only make it worse for everyone else.

   If you feel good about why you left, it will come through naturally.

8. Anna L GarciaJanuary 12,2024 at 4:58AM UTC

   I would say that your values do not align vague but honest.

9. AnonymousJanuary 12,2024 at 8:28PM UTC

   Nah, "values" leaves too much open to speculation, and we never know who knows who. "Goals" includes values, but adds the ways in which OP can add value (in HR's view) vs. having the right values.

10. AnonymousJanuary 12,2024 at 6:37AM UTC

    Tell future employers that you wanted a job that would use more of your XX skills/experience and decided to devote yourself to a full-time job search.

11. AnonymousJanuary 12,2024 at 2:19PM UTC

    Never bad mouth previous employers. Just say that your career aspirations and the path you were on there were not heading in the same direction then immediately highlight how you bring "experience" at whatever the biggest task in their job posting asks for. They'll glaze right past to listen to your pitch.

12. Sandy SpenceJanuary 12,2024 at 2:27PM UTC

    "Although there were positives to my time there, the organization and position did not align with my future goals."

13. AnonymousJanuary 12,2024 at 3:29PM UTC

    That has happened to me too. Most of the times my next job do not ask me about the reason I left my last job. What I have told, if they ask, is that I looked for a job where I can apply my knowledge.

14. Sarah BojorquezJanuary 12,2024 at 4:24PM UTC

    As a recruiter I strongly advise you don't open that can' of worms. just tell them you were ready to move on and try a new challenge. they really don't need to know anything more than that.

15. AnonymousJanuary 12,2024 at 8:26PM UTC

    Future employers are less likely to ask about that than you think. The only place I've seen that question has been the automated system. "Reason for leaving" can be "to search for [job just like this one]" and then you're covered.

    Good luck!

16. AnonymousJanuary 13,2024 at 1:12AM UTC

    I have been interviewing for new positions as my last boss made my working environment a living hell and I actually had to go out on FMLA due to the toxic work environment I was experiencing. I'm still at my job but I keep myself friendly but very guarded. Neither interview panel asked me about my current job but instead asked me why I was interested in their open position and I said that I look forward to learning new skill bases. On my applications it said "reason for leaving" and I said "still employed."

17. Cara GardnerJanuary 13,2024 at 3:00PM UTC

    If you're leaving a small company, you can say that there wasn't room for growth in your role.

    If it's a large company, that could still apply if you are in a small dept within the company. Or alternatively, say you're passionate about doing "X" and so I left to be able to do more of that.

18. Sue Gordon- retired Career CoachJanuary 14,2024 at 2:16PM UTC

    Career growth.

19. AnonymousJanuary 15,2024 at 9:39AM UTC

    There are so many reasons people leave a job, it would be surprising that anyone would ask. It’s always safe to say “career growth” and then segue into the exciting opportunity company offers.

    I found that when I left my last position toward the end of Covid, I could honestly say that the company took a lot of business hits because of Covid, and there were going to be no opportunities for future growth . But be sure to say that you enjoyed working for that past company and excited about this new opportunity with the new company.

    Never trash talk a former employer, no matter how tempting. The new company will be leery of anyone who trash talks because they will be afraid that you will trash Talk them also.

20. AnonymousJanuary 15,2024 at 2:13PM UTC

    Two rules: 1) Don't lie. 2) Don't bash.

    You can find many reasons for leaving this behind.

    No career growth and doesn't align with career goals are two that can be followed by why the new company can fulfill those.

21. Annalise MJanuary 19,2024 at 3:16PM UTC

    As others have said, trash-talking is unwise as it does not leave a good first impression. Without other information to go on, it's too easy for people to assume you were a source of the negativity or that you will trash-talk them in the future.

    You can always talk about wanting to grow more or have more opportunities similar to the new places you're applying, which is a) most likely true at least to some extent, b) avoids negative first impressions from trash-talking, and c) makes you seem more genuinely interested in the position they're talking about. Also, because this is known as the standard response or etiquette expected in this situation, people expect this response to some extent and giving a different response can show a lack of social skills or judgement (which I think should not be factored as much as it usually is, but is often the reality of the interview process).