Вікторія Горбік Work 20 November 2024, 11:30

How to answer the question of why you left your previous job at an interview. Suggestions from a career consultant

Co-Founder International Community for Experts and career consultant Olena Alaimo raised the importance of the question about dismissal from the previous place of work, which is asked at the interview of candidates.

Why is this question so difficult?

Fear of looking bad. Candidates fear that their true reasons for leaving will leave a negative impression. The idea that the interviewer is trying to find a «weak point» causes insecurity.
Lack of preparation. Many simply do not prepare for this question. It is impossible to just come and think that improvisation will save the situation. Prepare to make your release part of your positive story.
Unclear reasons. If you yourself do not understand why you left, how can you explain it to others? Vagueness makes your answer vague and unconvincing.
Delicate circumstances. Dismissals due to conflict or downsizing are complex topics that are difficult to present positively. Candidates often don’t know how to present this information without losing credibility.
Fear of offending or appearing impolite. You want to be honest, but you don’t want to talk bad about your former employer. Finding a balance is difficult, and without preparation, you run the risk of saying something unnecessary.

What will happen if you do not prepare?

Unpreparedness for this question means stepping on thin ice. A hesitant or evasive answer can make the recruiter think you’re hiding something. You may be considered a candidate who does not understand his professional motivations or is not ready for serious questions. An insufficiently prepared answer can erase all your other successes in the interview.

5 tips on how to prepare

Understand your reason for quitting. Be honest with yourself. why did you leave Career growth? Company culture? Personal circumstances? A clear awareness will help you explain it simply and clearly.
Give the reason through the lens of development. Even if the circumstances were difficult, show that you have grown from the experience. For example, instead of «I had a conflict with my supervisor,» say, «I wanted more autonomy at work, so I decided to look for new opportunities for development.»
Prepare your answer in advance. Success is always preparation. Practice. Develop several versions of the answer to be flexible in different situations. Talk to a friend or in front of a mirror — your answer should sound confident and natural.
Use the SAR (Situation-Action-Result) method. Describe your departure as a story: what the situation was, what decision you made and what the result was.
Relate your answer to new opportunities. An honest, thoughtful and confident answer to this question shows not only your communication skills, but also your ability to analyze experiences and grow. And this is one of the most important qualities of a professional.

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