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How to answer "Why are you leaving your job?"
Keep it honest, short and forward-looking. Interviewers are checking that you aren't running away from a problem you'd bring with you.
Why interviewers ask it
They want to understand your motivation, and how you talk about employers.
How to structure your answer
- Give an honest reason in one sentence.
- Stay neutral about your employer.
- Move on to what attracts you to this role.
Example answers
Seeking growth
I've learned a lot in three years, but the team is settled and there's little new work. I'm looking for a place to take on larger systems, which is why I applied here.
Redundancy
My role was made redundant when the company closed our office. It gave me a chance to think about what I want next, and this role fits.
These are made-up examples to show the structure. Use your own experience and real numbers.
What to avoid
- Criticising your manager or company.
- Long explanations.
- Mentioning only money.
- Hiding a redundancy or gap.
Practise this out loud
Run a mock interview for common interview questions. Questions change every time, you answer by voice or typing, and each answer gets a score with feedback.