Why they ask it
They want to know your reasons make sense, and that you left on good terms. They also want to know the same problem won't come up in their job.
The National Careers Service lists it as a common question, with advice for each kind of exit.
How to answer, by situation
Here is the National Careers Service's advice for each case:
- You're leaving by choice: be positive about why you want a new job, and why this employer suits you better.
- You were made redundant: explain the situation, stay positive, and say how you've responded since.
- You were dismissed: explain what went wrong, what you've learned and how you've improved since.
- You've been out of work a while: explain why, and talk about the useful things you did in that time.
Victoria's Youth Central lists reasons that work. For example, you've learned all you could, there's no chance to progress, or you've gained new qualifications.
Back it up with a short story
A short story shows you're moving towards something. For example, a skill you've built that your current job can't use.
Use the STAR method, as England's National Careers Service sets it out. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action and Result:
- Situation: where you were and what was going on, in a line or two.
- Task: what you had to do, or the problem to solve.
- Action: what you did, step by step. This is most of the answer, so say "I", not "we".
- Result: what changed, with a number if you can, and what you learned.
Aim for about 90 seconds out loud. Keep it short and to the point, and be ready for follow-up questions about it.
Common mistakes
- Criticising your boss or company. CareerOneStop advises against saying negative things about past employers, or blaming them.
- Giving a reason that isn't true. Your referees may be asked about it.
- Making money the only reason.
- Telling a long story about a bad workplace.
- Hiding a dismissal on a form that asks about it directly. Be honest, and explain it briefly.
Make it fit the job ad
Link your reason to what this job offers. If you want more contact with customers and the ad is all about customers, say so.
Leaving soon after starting? Say what you learned, and why this job is a better long-term fit.
A full answer, as a made-up example
Here is a made-up answer from someone leaving a call centre for IT support. It's about what he's moving towards.
Made-up example
Liam, a call centre worker applying for an IT support job
Question
Situation
Task
Action
- I asked my manager about moving to the tech team, but it only hires people with a certificate.
- I finished an IT support certificate at night, over 9 months.
- I offered to test our new help pages, and found 15 errors before they went live.
- I now take the first-level tech calls in my team.
Result
Liam is positive about his current employer, and shows the steps he took first. His reason fits the job he wants.
Questions
Should I say I was made redundant?
Yes. The National Careers Service says to explain the situation, stay positive and say how you've responded since. A sentence or two is enough.
What if I was fired?
Be honest. Say what happened in a sentence, what you learned, and what you do differently now. Then move on to what you offer.
What if I left because of a bad manager?
Talk about what you want next, such as a team with clear goals. Don't criticise the person.
What if I haven't left yet?
That's fine. Say what you're looking for, and stay positive about your current job.
Sources
Written by Seal the Offer from these pages, last checked on . Rules change, so check the employer's own page and the job ad before you apply.