Interview Question: “Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?”

Summary

This video script offers advice on how to professionally address the common interview question, 'Why did you leave your last job?' It emphasizes the importance of not speaking negatively about former employers or colleagues. Instead, it suggests focusing on personal growth and the desire for new challenges. The script provides examples of how to discuss leaving a job voluntarily, being laid off due to corporate restructuring, and even being fired due to performance or personality clashes, always maintaining a neutral and professional tone.

Takeaways

• 🤔 Don't badmouth your ex-boss or company during an interview. It might make the employer think you'll do the same to them.
• 🙅‍♂️ Avoid sharing personal or emotional reasons for leaving, like feeling undervalued or underpaid.
• 🌱 Emphasize your desire to grow and seek new challenges when explaining why you left your previous job.
• 📈 Use positive framing by mentioning what you accomplished at your last job and why you're ready for more.
• 🛑 If laid off due to restructuring, explain the company's situation neutrally, focusing on external business reasons.
• 💼 Don't describe your layoff in a way that makes you sound like a victim or creates negativity.
• 👔 If you were fired, explain it as a mismatch in vision or a change in management needs, and highlight what you've learned.
• 🧑‍💼 Stay professional and logical, focusing on your skills and what you bring to the new company, without emotional responses.
• ⏳ Keep your answer concise — about 30 seconds to a minute — without sharing too much unnecessary detail.
• ✋ Avoid spending too much time on this question and quickly move on to discussing your qualifications and experience.

Q & A

Why is it important to handle the question 'Why did you leave your last job?' carefully during an interview?

It's crucial to handle this question carefully because it can reflect your professionalism and attitude towards past employers. Negative comments can make an interviewer question your character and how you might behave if you leave their company.

What should you avoid when explaining why you left your last job?

You should avoid badmouthing your ex-boss or ex-company, and refrain from sharing overly personal or emotional reasons such as feeling undervalued or underpaid. This can create a negative impression and raise concerns about your potential behavior in the future.

How can you frame your departure from a previous job in a positive light?

You can frame it by expressing gratitude for the experience and growth during your tenure, and then explain that you are seeking new challenges and opportunities for further professional development.

What is a good way to discuss a layoff during an interview?

Discuss a layoff by focusing on the factual circumstances, such as company restructuring or financial difficulties, without blaming anyone or sounding like a victim. This maintains a neutral and professional tone.

How should you handle the situation if you were fired due to performance or attitude issues?

If you were fired, reflect on the reasons and improvements made since then. Discuss the situation by acknowledging the past and focusing on the lessons learned and how they've prepared you for future success.

What is an example of a neutral and professional way to explain leaving a job?

An example could be: 'I enjoyed my time at ABC Company and contributed to its growth. However, I felt it was time to seek new challenges and opportunities for growth, which led me to explore new roles like the one at your company.'

Why is it beneficial to keep the explanation of why you left your last job brief and to the point?

Keeping the explanation brief prevents you from over-emphasizing negative aspects or dwelling on the past. It allows you to focus the conversation on your skills and how you can contribute to the new company.

What should you do after setting the stage with your reason for leaving the last job?

After setting the stage, you should explain how your skills and experiences are relevant to the new position and how you can add value to the company you're interviewing with.

How can you demonstrate that you've learned from your past experiences during an interview?

You can demonstrate learning by discussing specific situations from your past jobs, the lessons you've taken away, and how those lessons have prepared you to excel in your next role.

What is the key takeaway from the script regarding discussing why you left your last job?

The key takeaway is to maintain a neutral and professional tone, focus on personal growth and opportunities, and avoid negative comments about past employers or situations.