If you're interviewing for jobs, one of the hardest questions you'll get is: "Why are you looking for a new job?"
We all leave jobs and interview for new jobs during our careers. An employee will rarely stay at one job for their entire career. So, then, why is this a difficult question to answer?
It's all about how you frame your answer. As a candidate, you want to appear motivated and purposeful without talking any trash.
This can be a tricky question to answer in a job interview without speaking negatively about your current job or employer. You already know it’s never a good idea to trash your boss or tell an interviewer or recruiter that you can't stand working with your team, right? So what do you say?
Table of Contents
- Why Do Interviewers Ask, "Why Are You Looking for a New Job?"
- Avoid These Answers
- How to Answer "Why Are You Looking for a New Job?"
- Example Answers to "Why Are You Looking for a New Job?"
Why Do Interviewers Ask, "Why Are You Looking for a New Job?"
Whether you've left your job already or you're actively job searching, the reason behind your leaving can tell the interviewer a lot. Not only does your answer help them better understand what you're like as an employee, but it also lets them know how little or how much you want the job.
For example, if you left your last role nine months ago, they might wonder why you haven't landed a new job yet. If you're still happily employed, then they know you might be a tougher "sell" when it comes to a potential job offer.
This means you want to be thoughtful about your answer since it can give (or take) some negotiation power from you. You will also want to be aware of any follow-up questions your answer might bring up.
That's why storytelling is so valuable.
- Instead of this simple answer: "I'm looking for a new job after being laid off nine months ago."
- Try something more story-based: "I was laid off nine months ago and pursued a variety of freelance gigs which have allowed me to expand my skillsets. One of those skills is X, and when I saw this job posting for a company I've been obsessed with for a long time, I knew I had to apply."
See what happened there? Good storytelling turned a "blah" answer into something more impressive—and told the interviewer more about you in a good way.
What Not to Say: Avoid These Answers
Like we mentioned earlier, do NOT badmouth your past employer, nasty coworkers, or toxic workplace. Even if you hated your boss with a fiery passion, keep it to yourself. You don't want your first impression with the interviewer to be all about your bad personal relationships at your past job.
Avoid These Talking Points
- Negative Comments About Current/Previous Employer
- Complaints About Colleagues or Team Members
- Money as the Sole Motivator
- Boredom
- Personal Issues or Family Problems
- Disparaging Remarks About Company
- Disinterest in the Industry
- Unrealistic Expectations
- Inability to Adapt to Company Change
Also, try not to make your answer a long and complicated story. It's best to be brief and spin the narrative in a positive way, which we'll talk about next.
How to Answer "Why Are You Looking for a New Job?"
Follow a “less is more” approach, and focus specifically on what attracted you to the new company and/or role instead of why you’re leaving your current job. In a job interview, you're basically your own PR agent—so make like one and spin the question in your favor. Here's how:
Step 1: Start with the Unexpected (i.e., Why You Like Your Current Job)
Obviously, there are reasons why you don't, but beginning on a positive note never hurt anyone. Explain why your current role has been a positive experience for you. You don't have to go into detail, and you don't have to lie. A simple "I've had some great experiences in the last year and learned so much about [insert industry or your job's responsibilities]" will suffice.
Step 2: Bring the Focus Back to Why You Applied for the Job + Your Skills
You picked this company for a reason, and they're looking for a candidate who's a great fit, not for someone who just wants out of a bad situation. What drew you to them matters more than what pushed you away from your current company. Make that your priority.
And focus on what skills or experience you had that matched the job description. How can you include that in your answer? Adding to the last example, you might say:
"I've had some great experiences in the last year and learned so much about the fintech industry working in the internal communications team. One of the skillsets I got to improve the most was crisis management when the pandemic hit followed by navigating our company's IPO. It was a big year."
Step 3: Throw Down Some Industry Knowledge + Connect You Motivation
You'd better have walked into this job interview with plenty of company knowledge committed to memory (if not, you may want to download our Job Interview Prep Checklist). This is where you'll make it clear you know your stuff. Mention a recent award the company's received or a new project or client they've taken on. This demonstrates you're on it but also that you know exactly why you want to join the team. Again, let's see this worked into our example:
"I've had some great experiences in the last year and learned so much about the fintech industry working in the internal communications team.
One of the skillsets I got to improve the most was crisis management when the pandemic hit followed by navigating our company's IPO. It was a big year, but it also made me realize I really miss working for a wide variety of clients.
Your agency especially caught my attention since you're the only one representing interior designers, which has been a passion of mine for years. When I saw that you were looking for a Director of Communications, I believed my startup background was a good fit for this growing company and a place where I could add a lot of value."
One of the skillsets I got to improve the most was crisis management when the pandemic hit followed by navigating our company's IPO. It was a big year, but it also made me realize I really miss working for a wide variety of clients.
Your agency especially caught my attention since you're the only one representing interior designers, which has been a passion of mine for years. When I saw that you were looking for a Director of Communications, I believed my startup background was a good fit for this growing company and a place where I could add a lot of value."
Step 4: Share How It Fits With Your Long-Term Career Goals
Companies don't make hiring decisions on a whim. They want to feel like whoever they hire will stick around—and they can feel better about that if you share how the role and company fit into your long-term career goals. Here's what that might look like:
"I've had some great experiences in the last year and learned so much about the fintech industry working in the internal communications team.
One of the skills I got to improve the most was crisis management when the pandemic hit, followed by navigating our company's IPO. It was a big year, but it also made me realize I really miss working with a wide variety of clients and in a smaller company. Your agency especially caught my attention since you're the only one representing interior designers, which has been a passion of mine for years.
When I saw that you were looking for a Director of Communications, I believed my startup background was a good fit for this growing company and a place where I could add a lot of value. Additionally, I'm looking to grow my career with a creative team and help shape this new type of agency. The idea of creating something new is very exciting to me."
One of the skills I got to improve the most was crisis management when the pandemic hit, followed by navigating our company's IPO. It was a big year, but it also made me realize I really miss working with a wide variety of clients and in a smaller company. Your agency especially caught my attention since you're the only one representing interior designers, which has been a passion of mine for years.
When I saw that you were looking for a Director of Communications, I believed my startup background was a good fit for this growing company and a place where I could add a lot of value. Additionally, I'm looking to grow my career with a creative team and help shape this new type of agency. The idea of creating something new is very exciting to me."
Example Answers to "Why Are You Looking for a New Job?"
The following answers make sure to answer this question by:
- Removing an opportunity to bad-mouth your current company or role.
- Reiterating how your long-term goals or interests relate to the role.
- Proving you've researched and specifically targeted the new company.
- ...All while answering the question directly and succinctly.
HIRING MANAGER: So, tell me why you're looking to leave your current role?
CLAIRE: I’m actually very happy in my role at [Company X], and I’ve really enjoyed the last six years of opportunities, challenges, team members, etc.
However, I’ve been really impressed by ["your product’s impact on mobile advertising"—or any particular note about the company], and [this is where you tie it all together by saying something like: "creating a better user experience is something I’m constantly excited to be working on in my current role"].
So when I saw this job opening, I thought we were a great match, and I’d love the opportunity to contribute to another [« see what we did there? No smack talk about your current company] innovative company.
CLAIRE: I’m actually very happy in my role at [Company X], and I’ve really enjoyed the last six years of opportunities, challenges, team members, etc.
However, I’ve been really impressed by ["your product’s impact on mobile advertising"—or any particular note about the company], and [this is where you tie it all together by saying something like: "creating a better user experience is something I’m constantly excited to be working on in my current role"].
So when I saw this job opening, I thought we were a great match, and I’d love the opportunity to contribute to another [« see what we did there? No smack talk about your current company] innovative company.
HIRING MANAGER: What made you want to look for a new job in data analytics?
JADE: I recently completed a few online programs in data science and data analytics, which has allowed me to hone my skillset and solidified my interest in pursuing a career in it.
One thing that's really important to me is to work for a company whose product I love and can offer me mentorship. I had a great manager in my last role, and I know that's important for me. Plus, I would love to grow within my role and be able to manage in the future as well.
These are just some of the reasons why I applied for this entry-level data role at your company—I use the product every day and I've read in-depth about the leadership team, company values, and mission, and it's all aligned with my own, which is why I was so excited about this opportunity.
JADE: I recently completed a few online programs in data science and data analytics, which has allowed me to hone my skillset and solidified my interest in pursuing a career in it.
One thing that's really important to me is to work for a company whose product I love and can offer me mentorship. I had a great manager in my last role, and I know that's important for me. Plus, I would love to grow within my role and be able to manage in the future as well.
These are just some of the reasons why I applied for this entry-level data role at your company—I use the product every day and I've read in-depth about the leadership team, company values, and mission, and it's all aligned with my own, which is why I was so excited about this opportunity.
HIRING MANAGER: Why are you looking for a new job?
FELICIA: I was laid off in my last role due to a corporate merger after working there for five years in human resources. One of my greatest accomplishments there was launching the company's benefits program onto a new software program that streamlined hours of work.
Shortly after my layoff, my family relocated to the east coast. I carved out a few months to get settled and research the opportunities in my new city, and that's how I came across this job opening. I spent hours learning about the company's origin story and how the products have adapted over time.
I really value companies that embrace technology, and while I know it's hard to change things—especially like HR practices—the pandemic has really created some innovative ideas in the space. I'd love to bring my excitement, skills, and experience to help make an impact in this HR role."
FELICIA: I was laid off in my last role due to a corporate merger after working there for five years in human resources. One of my greatest accomplishments there was launching the company's benefits program onto a new software program that streamlined hours of work.
Shortly after my layoff, my family relocated to the east coast. I carved out a few months to get settled and research the opportunities in my new city, and that's how I came across this job opening. I spent hours learning about the company's origin story and how the products have adapted over time.
I really value companies that embrace technology, and while I know it's hard to change things—especially like HR practices—the pandemic has really created some innovative ideas in the space. I'd love to bring my excitement, skills, and experience to help make an impact in this HR role."
