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The Right Way to Talk About Your Departure

By Pamela Skillings

Your chances of landing the job depend on your answer to this question. And you need to answer it in a way that puts you in a good light and eliminates the possibility of interviewers thinking they are taking a risk by hiring you. When answering this question, there are 3 key rules to remember: 

1. You need a good reason

It’s perfectly fine you’re leaving, but you need to give a valid reason for jumping ship. Such as:You need a better work-life balance.You’re stuck in a role with zero chances of advancement and promotion.You’re relocating or have health or family issues.You need more stability and security at work.You’re looking for a career change.

2. Keep your answer brief (2 or 3 sentences tops) 

There’s no need to provide a detailed account of how badly you were treated, what went wrong, or why you were fired. Just state your reasons for leaving, give it a positive spin by saying what you learned while working there, and shift the focus back to your current job search and excitement for the new opportunities ahead.

3. Honesty (sprinkled with diplomacy) is the best policy 

You know how we always say you should be specific when answering and provide real-life examples? This is where you want to do the exact opposite – a run of the mill answer that has zero bitterness score is better than exposing the drama or trashing your former employer. Even if your last job sucked, saying so is unlikely to lead to a positive outcome in an interview environment.   Here’s how you can make some bold (and deeply personal) statements sound more professional:

  • My boss was toxic. → The work environment was not a good fit for me and I’m looking for a company with better opportunities for growth and professional development.
  • I was horribly underpaid. → Because of the way the teams are structured, it was impossible for me to grow in my role and gain any opportunities for advancement and promotion.
  • The company is a circus. → As time went by, I noticed a disconnect between my values and my employer’s, so I decided to move on.
  • I was in burnout and needed time off. → I needed to take some time off for health reasons. Happy to say I’m fully recovered and ready for new challenges. You get the point.

 If you need more info and examples, here’s a full guide on answering “Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?” with tips, sample answers for all scenarios, and a list of common mistakes to avoid. And if you need more help with your next interview, here are some more free resources you’ll love:

  • My LinkedIn profile (I post career, resume, and interview advice there)
  • This Free Course to help you stand out in an interviewOur Interview Q&A hub with more guides on common interview questions 

Happy job hunting! Until next time, Pamela Skillings