Changing any job is only good if you know you don’t belong there or don’t like the working atmosphere. Considering looking for another suitable job is always a good thing as you need to maintain your mental health and your physical health. Now, if a job is too hectic or the atmosphere isn’t supportive, then maybe you will never be able to work there longer than you expect. Either you will leave the job, or you will be removed, in both cases the need to change to a job which is suitable for you is inevitable. In fact, many times, you are asked for the reason why you are changing the job, and you need to find a wise answer for that too.
Now when you appear for another interview and your employer asks for how long have you seriously been considering changing jobs? It is maybe that opportunity for you to explain why you have been considering changing and what you plan on doing after you leave the previous company. This question can actually create a better understanding of your motive to leave the previous job and join a new one. An employer is always looking out for the right reasons to hire you, so answering this question with utmost honesty can help you land the job.
In this article, we will be taking you through some of the ways to help you answer this question better and get a job that you can stick to for the long run.
Why Does An Employer Ask This Question?
Every employer wants to know your reasons behind leaving the previous job. If there is any serious reason behind it, or is it something personal. Every employer expects you to answer this question honestly because it is not to judge whether you are committed to one job or are searching for the next one. It is just to understand your perception of how a working atmosphere should be like, what kind of work should be handed to you based on your expertise, and understanding your niche. These are the exact same reasons why you left your previous job, and if you are honest about it with your current employer, then it makes understanding your concerns easier.
Along with this, the employer is trying to establish what position is more suitable for you. When you tell a story from your previous job, where you were hired as a content writer, but then eventually you were asked to make creatives, write copies for ad campaigns, and so much more that the work pressure wasn’t manageable. No matter if you possess creativity, but a designation is a designation, cannot work beyond what you are designated to do. Also, you might have realised where your interests are, so if you are changing your job because you didn’t like what you were doing earlier. In the recent company you are getting the opportunity, then that’s a good thing your employer would know about you.
People are changing jobs and careers all the time; they are keener on staying longer where they are interested rather than staying in a job just for the money and losing out on their passion. People who are passionate about working under a particular profile or those who want to change their stream in education are always in a difficult situation because it is about a new start. For example, many of them who were in accounts are more interested in social media, and they might also get called for an interview, but the pay will be lesser than the accounting job, because of lack of experience. We are all worried about this, and the employer also wants to know whether you are passionate enough to take that risk.
Tips To Answer Since How Long Are You Looking for Change in Job?
How Long Are You Looking for Change in Job? #Samples Answers
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A Few Related Questions & Sample Answers
Many questions are much similar to ‘How long have you seriously been considering changing jobs?’ For your better understanding, here are the questions, along with their sample answers.
How long have you seriously been considering changing jobs?
For almost a year since then I also have to consider my financial requirements before I leave immediately. But, considering my interests in where I am working, I have been looking for something more suitable according to my skills and expertise for almost a year now and with this opportunity, I am going to deliver my best.
How long should you stay in a job before changing?
You should at least complete six month so that you get your certification and also, six months is enough office experience for anyone, with that you can apply for new companies and be open about your reasons to quit. If you are quitting within a month or two then you might as well have a better reason behind or it might be considered unprofessional.
How do you tell if you are being phased out of your job?
You start losing interest in the work, you cannot focus, you are tired and lethargic every morning before coming to work. Getting used to bad habits like, over eating, toxicants, sleeplessness and many such things. This is when you know you realise that you are phasing out of your job.
How do I explain leaving a job for health reasons?
I think it is important to be honest about your health reasons, because the company needs to know whether you are the only one suffering from the work or there are others as well. Every company needs to be considerate about their employees’ mental and physical health. If there are any personal issues or professional issues, they have the right to react to it. If you are leaving your job for a prolonged health issue or something that you developed during your job, you need to explain it directly to your manager or boss.
What’s motivating you to search for a new position?
I always knew where my interests were, but I decided to first work for income and then maybe focus on passion for Social Media Marketing. But, while I was working in the previous company, I made sure to talk to people from the Social Media department and learn the aspects of Social Media Marketing. Gaining more and more knowledge has motivated me to finally quit my previous job and pursue what I am passionate about.
Is it worth staying in a job you hate?
I guess not, because it is mentally draining and not good for you physically as well. If you are constantly drained and doing your work because you are helpless, then you will never be able to grow past it. Continuing to work in a place even though you hate it is like being imprisoned but being used to it. Might as well handle the burden of a low salary but then working on a designation you are passionate about will gain you a promotion in no time.
How to know it is time to quit/change your job?
When you aren’t liking your work anymore when the hours are affecting your mental and physical health, when you aren’t able to give enough time to other important people in your life other than your boss and your manager, when you are no more willing to get up and go to work and do the same thing you’ve been for the past one or two years, it is time to quit or change your job for something you are passionate about.
How to explain why I was letting go of my previous job?
Tell the real reason behind why you are letting go of something that was paying well or not paying well. Explain how it affected your health and your routine. How it affected your close ones and how much you detested working after a period of time.
What to do when you feel you are not good enough for a job?
Having this feeling is a bad thing, I should know if I am not able to keep up with a designation I am not familiar with. If I am good at writing but it doesn’t pay well so I take up a job that is technical but I am working for the money, I need to know why I am doing it. When I start realising that I am not good enough for this job, the best option is to leave and look for something you can be better at.
Does job-skipping look bad?
Depends on how professional your pursuits are. If you are focusing on freelancing and working distance, then job-skipping can never be a problem. But if you are focused on working for companies then having a list of companies mentioned in your CV within two years, is unprofessional. Your employer will know that you haven’t been able to stay steady in a full time job.
Parting Thoughts
If you are not comfortable or not able to comprehend work anymore, then leaving the job is the only good option for you. That way, you can always find options that you are passionate about and focus on growing in that one designation. Your employer would always want to know why you are leaving your previous job, which paid well, why are you a job-skipper or why are you trying to pursue your passion very late. Well, the answer to all this is “because you can.”
You can always make that decision for yourself and start new. You can always convince yourself to let go of something that is paying well but isn’t satisfying and start with a job that pays average and grow in it because that is what you are interested in. That way, you will always grow, and it won’t matter how many jobs you skip unless and until you find that right designation that offers a satisfactory salary and yet doesn’t affect your mental and physical health.
