Why Did You Leave?

The Inevitable Job Interview Question: "Why Did You Leave (Are
Planning To Leave) Your Last Position?" and How to Deal With It.
by Carole Martin ?www.interviewcoach.com

This is a question that you can almost count on being asked at
your next interview What the interviewer wants to know is,
"Why are you available?"

The answer you give could set the tone for the rest of the
interview. For instance, if you were to indicate that you were bored
or burned out at your last job, the interviewer would quickly become
concerned about your performance at this company. The question
can be especially tricky if you've had less than favorable
conditions regarding your departure from a company. Regardless of
the circumstances that have caused you to move, or are causing
you to think about moving, you should be prepared to answer this
question.

Below are examples of possible answers to this critical question.
After reading them try to determine which is the strongest answer.

(A) The company had a re-organization, and my department was
eliminated. The work had begun to dwindle so it was not a complete
surprise. I liked my job and the people I was working with so I had
been hoping that it wouldn't affect us but unfortunately we were all
let go. I would like to find a job similar to the one I lost.

(B) I am looking for a new challenge. I have been with my current
company for two years now and don't find the work as interesting as
I once did. I am looking for a company where I can take on new
challenges and grow. My current job is dead-ended for me.

(C) Since there are no advancement opportunities within the
company, I have decided it would be a good time for me to look
outside. I have set some career goals for myself that I could not
achieve at that company. What I am looking for is a job with a
bigger company where I can contribute, but also move on a career
path that has more responsibility.

Have you selected the strongest answer? See if you agree with the
advice below.

The Strongest Answer
(A) This is the strongest answer, not because of the lay off, but
because it has an upbeat tone to it. You liked what you did and were
hoping it wouldn't happen. In other words, if it hadn't been for
something out of your control you would still be there. The answer
indicates a good attitude about an unfortunate incident.

The Mediocre Answer
(C) This is an ok answer. It is natural to want to take on more
responsibility. It is also acceptable to quit a job. A skilled
interviewer would follow up with a question about your career
goals and why you think you can achieve them at this company.
Would you have an answer prepared for that follow-up question?

The Weakest Answer
(B) This is the weaker answer because it is trite. One of the
most common answers to this question is that you are "looking for
a challenge." An interviewer might be concerned that if you were
bored at your last job, you might find this job boring as well, or
at least not "challenging" enough.

There are no "right" or "wrong" answers to this type
of question, but there are ways of saying the same thing in a way
that will make a stronger impression. Before you head out to your
next interview consider preparing for this and other difficult
questions. A little time spent preparing and scripting of your
answers before the interview will make a huge difference in the
way you answer the question during the interview. (Excerpts
taken from "Boost Your Interview IQ" ?Carole Martin ?McGraw-Hill 2004)