Interview Questions

Best Answer for Reason for Job Change in Interview #Examples

A job change can be extremely fascinating, as it offers a new workplace, new colleagues, raised salary, and you are also a step close to where you want to be. However, for a job change, an applicant has to go through a whole process where they have to answer many questions. Most applicants brace themselves beforehand. However, there are specific questions that we all are fearful about. One of which is ‘why are you looking for a job change?’

Best Reasons for Change in Job in Interview

You may have several personal and professional reasons like salary hike, change of location, commutation, illness, etc. for a change in job. Also, you have certain don’ts for answering this question. We shall discuss many such aspects and examples in the latter part of the post when it comes to answering “Reason for job change” in interviews within 6 months, 2 Years, etc.

Well, the answer to this question looks pretty easy. In our heads, we all know the reasons but putting it up in front of the recruitment manager is what becomes a task. Maybe you got fired, or maybe you didn’t just like your boss, but what is the right way to put it in front of the hiring manager?

We are here to take care of this mighty problem of yours so that you can crack that dream interview.

‘Why Do You Want To Change Your Job?’ –  A Question Feared By All

Whether you are appearing for an interview of a cabin crew or a business analyst, you can simply never be prepared for this one. The funny part about this question is that you know what reasons there are for this job change, however, to put it in the right words so that you don’t mess the interview up is what becomes the challenge.

Generally, interviewees like to cover this part in the ‘tell me about yourself’ question, so that they are not asked about it over and over again.  However, there can be a possibility that your hiring manager wishes to know your reasons in depth.

Why do Interviewers ask About The Reason For Job Change?

An interviewee, who is sitting right in front of the hiring manager must have a thousand thoughts going on in their heads. They might think that their skills and their knowledge are what would matter the most. But many a time, interviewers simply ask a few questions to test the candidate and to assess them deeply. So, talking about why interviewers ask such questions – testing candidates and assessing them in each aspect could be one of the reasons.

Another reason could be that the employer wants to know a bit about your nature and professional habits. Checking if you have a good reason to leave will give your hiring manager a slight insight into your work ethics and your nature which are equally important to sustain in an organization.

This question might have landed upon you because your recruitment manager might want to know bits about your professionalism. Maybe he wants to know if you are just running away, or grabbing the opportunity, or just changing the job for no reason at all.

Always remember, what you answer to this question speaks volumes about your professional and personal life, which can impact the decision of the hiring manager.

Well, let us now come to the point and see what are the possible reasons for a job change.

Possible Reasons for A Job Change

Many candidates get all sweaty as soon as this question is shot on them. Deep down, they know their reasons, but how to answer the employer becomes a tough call. Hence, here is a list of all the possible answers and reasons which could help you to cast a lasting impression on your employer:

  • The employment was short-term, and the project for which you were hired has finished, and that is why you are looking for a new role.
  • You are looking for a better career option and professional growth along with good work opportunities.
  • Looking for new challenges and roles at work could also be a possible answer to this tough question.
  • Need a better location as the current workplace is too far from your home.
  • There were too few growth opportunities, and you wish to grow at a good speed.
  • Telling the employer that joining their company has always been a goal. This will definitely create an impression in their mind, which can land you up with the job.
  • You could also make sure to tell your employer that you are looking for a job that offers you better responsibilities and money.
  • You have to travel too often, and at this point in life, you do not wish to travel much.

These were certain reasons for a change in job. However, some reasons might simply not be acceptable for a change in job. Let us see a few of them.

Worst Reasons For Leaving A Job

As good and straightforward as your reason could be, it could not be a very good idea to spill it in front of the interviewers. Hence, we have curated a list of answers which are a big NO-NO when it comes to answering this complex question:

  • Telling the employer that you are looking for a change because you were going to be fired should be crossed from the list of possible answers.
  • Maybe you are leaving the job because of your co-workers, but telling this to them might not fetch you a very good impression.
  • Probably you are leaving the job because of your boss, but it is not a good idea to tell that to your employer.
  • Lack of family support or a rocky marriage could be your answer but refrain from including personal reasons when it comes to professional life.
  • Telling your employer that the targets were unreal and were not met is a blunder that you would be making.
  • There could be a chance that you are leaving your old job because it demanded frequent overtime, and you’re quite up for it, but telling this to your recruitment manager should be avoided, as this would speak negatively for you.
  • Being unemployed for a few months is something that should never be hidden from the hiring manager, but the applicant must remember to put it in a refined manner so that it does not question your work ethics and values.

Accurately & Precisely Explaining Your Reasons for a Job Change Can Be a Tough One

Leaving an existing job for all the right reasons is the best thing that could happen to your career. However, giving a full-fledged and detailed answer and justification for it could land you in a plight wherein you are not sure of what to say or how to answer.

If you are someone who is headed for an interview, as an interviewee, you should be prepared for the worst. You should know that anything and everything can come shooting on to you, and you have to answer each question in a calm, composed, and refined manner. Refining your answers is the key here.

We will not lie; as much as you should be extremely honest about your reasons, being negative about the intention could land you in a soup and speak negatively about you. Hence, always be honest but learn to refine and then respond.

As an interviewee, you should also have a few questions and their answers prepared. ‘Why do you wish to change your job’ is one of the most asked questions, and keeping the answer to this ready could be advantageous for you.

Few Tips That Could Help You Answer This Question

Give Reasons, but be Honest
Trying to hover and avoid the question could show you in the bad light. Hence, try to keep all the negative points at bay, but still be honest with your employer.
Never ever Use Negative Words

Showing that you are leaving your organization on a friendly note speaks volumes about you, hence, never mention if your boss is cruel or if you had a tiff with your colleague.

Be Enthusiastic and Show Them you are Pleased

As a candidate, you can never run away from this question. Hence, always answer this question happily and show them how pleased you are that you are being asked about your personal choices and decisions. Adding a few lines like ‘Thank you for asking this’ could cast a great impression on your employer.

Tell them How you Want to Switch your Career or Industry
If you belong to a different industry, you could also use this as an answer. It’s never to late to switch up your career and change your industry, and this could be your reason for taking up this new job.
Be Calm and Cut Short this Question
When asked about why you are looking for a new position, you must be brief in answering the question, as answering the question in detail could bring about more questions, making the situation super complicated for you.

So, these were a few tips to be kept in mind while explaining the reason for a change in the job during the interview. Also, we saw a few genuine reasons for a change in job and some reasons that are simply not acceptable. However, one needs to put the reason in the right way in front of hiring managers. Let us see a few sample answers for the same.

Best Answers For Leaving A Job, And Taking Up A New One

There are some answers that are wise, but some that strictly should never be spoken out. Here are a few reasons or answers that you could use next time, whenever you are asked about how and why you are looking for a job change.

I’m looking for a career change, as I do not find myself 100% interested in my existing job. Exploring a new industry has been on my mind for quite a while now.
I need new challenges, better responsibilities, and higher pay.
There were medical issues in my family that required my attention, due to which I had to move states.
My company got restructured and a lot of employees were laid off. In fact, an entire department got shut and was eliminated.
The commute to the previous organization was too long, and I’m looking for something more permanent. Hence, having a job near my house would be great for me.

Other Ways ‘Reason For A Job Change’ Can Be Asked

There are always multiple ways of putting something. Your hiring manager might not be straightforward and could twist the question and ask you the same thing in a different manner to confuse you and put you in a tough spot. But don’t worry, we have a solution for everything.

Here are a few ways how this question can be asked in other words:

  • Why did you leave your job so early?
  • How can you explain the career gap?
  • What are your reasons to look for a new opportunity?
  • Are there any specific reasons to leave your present job?
  • What makes you hunt for a new job?
  • What is the one thing which impacted you the most and makes you want to switch your job?
  • Why are you willing to leave this role after the X period?

Group of Interviewees for Whom ‘Reason For A Job Change’ Can Be a Tough Question

If you are a chronic job hopper, an unemployed candidate, or an employee who has just taken up a new job, this question could be more of a bomb on you.

Nonetheless, keeping your answers ready beforehand could result in a positive way. Another pro tip is to always be confident in whatever you say. This could be a plus point which could impress your employer to a great extent.

Sample Answers For ‘Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?’

Just like you prepare for an exam, in a similar way, it’s always a great idea to prepare for an interview beforehand. Especially for the questions which are most anticipated. Just like ‘why did you leave your last job?’

This question is also another alternative way of asking you the reasons as to why you are sitting in the interview, wishing to change your role and your job.

Here are a few examples of questions that could be asked according to your situation, with their answers so that you can crack this interview and get the job!

Example 1- Why do you want to leave your current job in 6 months (so early/ in less time)?

Answer- I took the job 6 months back thinking it would help me enhance my skills and the responsibilities would increase eventually. However, to my surprise, there is not much growth and I’m looking for a job that trains me better and gives me more responsibilities which are essential for personal and professional growth.

Example 2- Why do you want to change a job within 2 years?

Answer- According to me, 2 years is a long time to learn and absorb all that the organization and my seniors have to offer. After serving the organization for 2 long years, I realized that the saturation point has come wherein I am not able to learn anything new here. At this point in life, I wish to learn more, and that is why I am looking for a new job that teaches me more about the industry.

Example 3- How to explain leaving a job due to stress?

Answer- I understand that all jobs come with their own pressure and stress, but when you are not able to achieve a work-life balance, that is where you start hunting for something that allows you to have a personal life with a professional life. The work pressure had started to take a toll on my personal health, which made me leave the job and look for a better opportunity elsewhere.

Example 4- Reason for resignation due to personal reasons.

Answer 1- A family problem or illness needs my attention, due to which I had to quit the job and be present for my family. My company could not afford to give me leaves for that many days, so leaving the job was my only alternative.

Answer 2- My health did not allow me to continue with this job, as the commute is too much from my house and the working hours are extremely long, due to which my health started to suffer. Leaving the job and looking for another job has become my only option.

Answer 3- As told earlier to the HR department, I’m expecting a baby, for which I need to begin with my maternity leave. I have come to a realization that I need to quit the job for good and begin my journey of being a full-time parent, due to which I would not be able to continue with this job.

Example 5- Can you explain the employment gap in your resume?

Answer- My company has some restructuring, and my department was laid off and eliminated, due to which I lost my job. Series of unforeseen circumstances continued, and I had to undergo surgery, for which I needed a couple of months to recover, which did not allow me to take up another job.

When asked a reason for your job change, always remember that you must never criticize your seniors and your boss. Always show that you had a cordial relationship with them and are leaving on friendly terms. Also, do not go overboard by overpraising the company when asked for a reason for a job change. This puts off the employer a lot of times.

Concluding Thoughts

Well, this was all about answering one of the most complex interview questions, “Why are you looking for a job change?”. You might have plenty such questions like, “Is there anything else you would want us to know about you?”, “Tell me about yourself?”, and many more. We would try and guide you in the best possible ways for every possible interview question.

We hope that these tips and tricks work for you and you reach one step ahead of reaching the heights that you wish to. All the best!

About the author

Atish Ranjan

Hi there, I am Atish Ranjan! I have been into work and business for more than 11 years now; I have given and taken numerous interviews over the years.
Thus, I started TheInterview.top to share my knowledge & experience with you! Hope you enjoy reading here.

About the Author

Hi there, I am Atish Ranjan! I have been into work and business for more than 11 years now; I have given and taken numerous interviews over the years. Thus, I started TheInterview.top to share my knowledge & experience with you! Hope you enjoy reading here.