Collage by Aliya Kamalova
What are your reasons for leaving your last job?
Well, your answer to this question probably depends on who is asking.
When you talk to your former work BFF, they likely already know why you left—and maybe they're planning on leaving soon, too. When speaking with a parent or a spouse, they already know the entire story about whatever work drama or circumstance resulted in you rage quitting your last job.
But how should you speak about your reasons for leaving in an interview setting or on an exploratory phone call with a recruiter?
Whether in an interview with a recruiter or a potential new boss, in a discussion with your current boss about the impending changes in your career, or during an exit interview, it’s important to remain polite and leave a good impression. In this article, we'll explore how to explain your reasons for leaving your last job in a professional manner.
Table of Contents
- How to Explain Why You Left in an Interview Setting
- What Not to Use as a Reason for Leaving Your Last Job
- 6 Good Reasons to Leave A Job
- How to Explain Why You’re Leaving to Your Current Employer
The Most Common Reasons For Leaving Jobs
Here are some of the most common reasons for leaving jobs.
- Better opportunity for career advancement
- More challenging work
- Lack of flexibility
- Stifled growth
- Organization changes that impacted your job/your team
- Bad bosses
- Workplace burnout
- Better compensation
- Better fit for your core values and mission-based career
- Better work-life balance or a more flexible schedule
- Relocation or life change
- Health complications that have been managed
- Red flags or toxic work environment at current workplace
- Disagreements with boss or colleagues
- Job satisfaction
- New direction or career transition
- "I just can't take it anymore"
Some of these will look familiar, some bring up bad memories from former jobs, and others might have you shaking your head in knowing commiseration.
But how can we frame some of the tougher reasons for leaving our last job without sounding like we are gossiping or speaking ill of our former employers—aven if they really deserve it.
How to Explain Your Reasons for Leaving a Job
Interviewers want to know how the person they’re hiring speaks about a prior place of employment. A job interview question about why you want to leave your current role is pretty much guaranteed to come up in an interview.
How you answer tells your future employers where your motivation lies and whether they think you could be the right fit for this organization.
1. Be Clear + Present Your "Thesis"
The first four or five words you use to explain your reasons for leaving a job will be the most important. Think of these words as your job search thesis. For example, if your answer is "I left to pursue a more creative role," make sure that your other answers to interview questions relate to this pursuit.
Example: "I left to pursue a job in the non-profit sector."
2. Be Honest
Don't let guilt or nervousness cloud your thesis. Be honest while keeping your answer clear and concise, as we mentioned in the first step. Honesty does not equal oversharing. Tell the interviewer enough to answer the question. Allow them to ask their own follow-up questions if necessary. We'll get more into this later!
Example: "I want to work at a larger organization with more resources to make a difference."
3. Keep it Positive
Your answer indicates how you might speak about this new role, too. You must stay diplomatic and emphasize the positives, even if you didn't exactly thrive in the role you're leaving. This doesn't mean you need to lie or sugarcoat your experience in an openly hostile work environment, but it means sharing what you've learned from your experiences.
Remain professional in interviews and show that you're pursuing a new job for the right reasons. While honesty is a valuable tool, be wary of how you employ it. There are ways to be honest about why you left your job without coming across as negative.
Example: "I want to work with the marketing team that produced these amazing campaigns. My prior team could never work together to pounce anything impressive or exciting."
4. Keep it Short
If it feels like every step of this process has urged you to keep it simple, you're right! When we're nervous, sometimes we start to talk through it. Suddenly, we're halfway through a thought—and we forgot our point. This is why it's crucial to keep your reasons for leaving a job answer to a simple sentence.
Example: "I was laid off with 75% of the organization last quarter. Our company had suffered through the pandemic and struggled to keep the team together after the financial downturn in 2023, but I was a great employee and my boss is willing to be a reference."
What Not to Use as a Reason for Leaving Your Last Job
We know you want to be honest in an interview—and you should.
However, sometimes, your honesty needs to be a little more constructive and creative. Can you reframe your legitimate reasons for leaving into positive reasons? Of course, you can.
While you may have rage quit your previous job because you were miserable, because your boss was awful, or because the entire organization was toxic, keep the answer straightforward and avoid negativity.
When asked questions like these, try this three-step process
- Reframe your perspective.
- Shift your attitude.
- Explain your vision for your future.
Remember that hindsight is always 20/20. Try to take yourself out of this moment—out of your dissatisfaction, frustration, and unhappiness—and think of the lessons you've learned about yourself as an employee.
Your potential employer doesn't need that play-by-play, nor will they be impressed by a diatribe of complaints about your previous employer. If you have an itch to rant, try writing it down for yourself. This will also ensure that you don't repeat the same problems in your next job.
Your potential employer will be impressed by your dedication to your career development.
Don't Say, “I Hated My Boss”
Instead of listing the (many) reasons you hated your previous boss, don't. Your mission is to find new employment with a great employer—not to trash your former boss...even when they deserve it.
Emphasize what you’ve learned in your current role and discuss why this new company is a better fit for you.
Try This:
“I’ve worked in [POSITION] for some time, but over the past year, I’ve realized that my passion lies in [PASSION]. I am looking for a company to help support me in that transition.”
Don't Say, “I Hated My Job”
Don't describe what made your job absolutely awful. Save those explanations for your family and friends, and keep it out of an interview setting.
Mention the positives and be honest about one aspect of the role that didn’t work for you, but turn it into an opportunity that this new company can provide.
Try This:
“Working at a large company taught me invaluable skills, but I’ve recognized that I would prefer to work at a smaller organization.”
Instead of “They Wouldn’t Give Me a Raise”
If you asked for a raise and were repeatedly denied it, we don't blame you for quitting your job. However, try not to make this the focus of your answer. We all know that earning a livable income is a huge part of our job search, so it's not the most compelling answer.
Instead, discuss the trajectory you envision for your career and what you bring to a higher management role that likely pays better.
Try This:
“After several years and multiple promotions at [CURRENT COMPANY], the growth opportunities from this point onwards are limited. I hope to find a new role in which I can move into a management position.”
Don't Say, “This Workplace Is Toxic”
This is a conundrum, because you want to ensure you're being honest while steering clear of negativity. If you feel comfortable (or if it's widely known that your last organization is/was toxic), you can mention that the toxic culture of the workplace wasn’t the best fit for you. However, don't unload the dirty details or get lost in gossip.
Try This:
“My former role was 100% on-site, without many boundaries between work and my life. I am looking for a company that emphasizes work-life balance and is open to a flexible schedule.”
6 Good Reasons for Leaving A Job
Ultimately, there are many good reasons to leave a job. The average employee will hold about 12 jobs during their lifetime. The average career span is 50 years, so yeah, you're going to switch it up once in a while—and that is good.
If you're looking to leave your job and find your next big opportunity, head to ZipRecruiter, where most job seekers have their applications viewed within the first 48 hours of applying!
"I Left My Job to Experience Career Growth"
Often, a position may tap out of further opportunities within two or three years. As such, it is normal for people to look for a new job every few years purely to search for more growth opportunities.
Not only can growth mean a leadership role, but it can also come with a higher salary. So, if you’re looking for more money from your job, instead of directly voicing that, frame your reasons for leaving as linked to career growth.
"I Left My Job to Pursue My Passion"
Perhaps you realized that your “dream job” actually wasn’t your passion, and now you want to pivot—great! Mention that in your interview since it’s a very good reason for leaving a role.
"I Left My Job to Obtain the Best Work Culture for Me"
Work culture varies so much between companies. That's why this is a great reason to change.
It's okay to find that a particular environment wasn’t one in which you thrived and to search for one where you will. Be prepared to positively speak about what you've noticed about the culture at your potential new company.
"I Left My Job Due to Physical Relocation"
Sometimes, you may be relocated due to your spouse's career, to care for aging parents, or various other reasons. It's a-okay to mention this in an interview. You may very well love your job but need a new one in an alternate location.
"I Left My Job Because I Desire Mentorship"
No matter your age, you can benefit from mentorship—we all can. If you're a young professional who would thrive with some guidance, it may be difficult to stay in a role that doesn't offer that. If you're an older professional who is eager to spread your breadth of knowledge, it's helpful to be in a company or role that supports mentorship. This is a perfectly valid reason to search for a new role.
"I Left My Job to Pursue New Challenges"
This is a great answer if you worked at your last job for a long time. It shows that you are a loyal employee—but that you also take your professional growth seriously. Be prepared to discuss the types of challenges you hope to pursue, the skills you'd like to expand, and the goals you see yourself accomplishing in the next few years!
How to Explain Why You’re Leaving to Your Current Employer
The simplest way to explain a career change to your current boss is by explaining that you found an alternate to your current job—one that is better suited to the trajectory you see for your career.
Here are some tips on keeping it kind:
1. Keep Your Resignation Reasons Short + Simple
There is no need to go into the circumstances that led to your decision to leave. If your soon-to-be former employer asks for constructive feedback, then offer it as such.
2. Don't Share Information About Your Job Offer or New Position
Don’t emphasize the new benefits of this role, or the higher salary, or even the better mentorship opportunities—there’s no need for your boss to know these facts. It’s best to maintain a cordial relationship versus burning bridges.
3. Express Gratitude
Make a point to thank your boss for their support in your career and the lessons you learned from them. Explain how all of this has helped you along the way.
Try your best to leave every job on good terms. In the long run, you don't want to earn a reputation for bad-mouthing former employers, even if it's totally warranted. To keep it professional, pen a resignation letter as a formal accompaniment to your verbal resignation.
