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Good Reasons for Leaving a Job [10 Examples]

Employers ask “Why are you leaving your current job?” because they want to ensure that the candidate is not leaving their current job due to performance issues or personality conflicts, and that the candidate has a clear and compelling reason for seeking new employment. Employers also ask this question to gain insight into the candidate’s career goals and aspirations, and to determine whether the position they are interviewing for aligns with those goals.

Related: Smart Answers to “Why Are You Looking for a New Job?”

How to Answer “Why Are You Leaving Your Job?”

When it comes to answering the question “Why are you leaving your job?” in a job interview, it’s important to have an acceptable reason that won’t raise any red flags for the interviewer. Here are some acceptable reasons for leaving your job:

1: Pursuing a New Opportunity

If you’re leaving your job to pursue a new opportunity, that’s a perfectly acceptable reason. Whether you’re looking for more responsibilities, or a chance to work in a different industry, it’s important to be honest with your interviewer about what you’re looking for in your next job.

2: Seeking Better Work-Life Balance

If you’re leaving your job to seek better work-life balance, that’s another acceptable reason. Maybe you’re tired of working long hours or weekends, or maybe you’re looking for a job that will allow you to work from home.

3: Personal or Family Reasons

If you’re leaving your job for personal or family reasons, that’s also an acceptable reason. Maybe you’re relocating to a new city, or maybe you need to take care of a sick family member.

4: Lack of Growth or Advancement Opportunities

If you’re leaving your job because you feel like there’s no room for growth or advancement, that’s a valid reason. Maybe you’ve been in the same position for years without any opportunity for promotion, or maybe you feel like you’ve hit a ceiling in your current role.

5: Wanting to Pursue Further Education

If you’re leaving your job to pursue further education, that’s another acceptable reason. Maybe you want to go back to school to get a higher degree or learn a new skill that will help you in your career.

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10 Example Answers to “Why are you leaving your current job?”

Example 1:

“I’m leaving my current job because I’m looking for new challenges and opportunities to grow professionally. While I’ve enjoyed my time at my current company, I feel that I’ve reached a point where I’m not learning as much as I could be, and I’m eager to take on new responsibilities and develop new skills.”

or

“I’m leaving my current job because I’m looking for a position with more opportunities for advancement. While I’ve enjoyed my time at my current company, I feel that there’s limited room for growth in my current role, and I’m eager to take on more responsibility.”

Example 2:

“I’m leaving my current job because I’m looking for a better work-life balance. While I’ve enjoyed the work I’ve been doing, the demands of the job have been taking a toll on my personal life, and I’m looking for a position that will allow me to have more time for my family and hobbies.”

Example 3:

“I’m leaving my current job because I’m looking for a company whose mission and values align more closely with my own. While I respect my current company and the work we do, I feel that there are other organizations out there that are better suited to my interests and values, and I’m excited to explore those opportunities.”

Example 4:

“I’m leaving my current job because I’m looking for a company that can offer me more opportunities to take on a leadership role. While I’ve enjoyed the work I’ve been doing at my current company, I feel that I’m ready to take the next step in my career and to start leading teams and projects. I’m looking for a company that can offer me more responsibility and autonomy, and that can support me in developing my leadership skills and expertise. Additionally, I’m looking for a company that values collaboration and teamwork, and that can provide me with opportunities to work closely with colleagues and stakeholders across the organization. I believe that your company has a strong culture of collaboration and innovation, and I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute to your team and to grow as a leader.”

Example 5:

“I’m leaving my current job because I’m relocating to a new area. While I’ve enjoyed working for my current company, the move is necessary for personal reasons, and I’m excited to find a new job in my new location.”

Example 6:

“I’m leaving my current job because I’m looking for a company that can offer me more opportunities to work on projects that align with my passions and interests. While I’ve enjoyed the work I’ve been doing at my current company, I feel that there are other areas that I’m passionate about and would like to explore further. I’m looking for a company that can support me in developing new skills and expertise in those areas. I’m also looking for a company that values creativity and innovation, and that is committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. I believe that your company is at the forefront of innovation in your industry, and I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute to your team and make a meaningful impact.”

Example 7:

“I’m leaving my current job because I’m looking for a company that offers more opportunities for collaboration and teamwork. While I’ve enjoyed working independently in my current role, I feel that I would thrive in a more collaborative environment where I can work closely with colleagues and contribute to team projects.”

Example 8:

“I’m leaving my current job because I’m looking for a company that offers more flexibility and remote work options. While my current company has made some strides in this area, I feel that there’s still room for improvement, and I’m looking for a company that is more open to flexible work arrangements.”

Example 9:

“I’m leaving my current job because I’m looking for a company that is more aligned with my career goals. While my current company has been a great place to work, I feel that I’ve hit a ceiling in terms of my career growth, and I’m looking for a company that can offer me more opportunities to advance and develop my skills.”

Example 10:

“I’m leaving my current job because I’m looking for a company that is more socially responsible and environmentally conscious. While my current company has made some efforts in this area, I feel that there’s more that can be done to reduce our environmental impact and contribute positively to our community, and I’m looking for a company that shares these values.”

Best Practices

Be Honest, But Professional

When asked about why you left your previous job, it’s important to be honest, but also professional. Avoid speaking negatively about your previous employer or coworkers, even if you left on bad terms. Instead, focus on the positive aspects of your previous job and what you learned from the experience.

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For example, you could say something like:

  • “I left my previous job because I felt like I had reached a plateau in my career and was looking for new challenges.”
  • “I left my previous job because I was seeking a better work-life balance.”
  • “I left my previous job because I wanted to explore new career opportunities.”

Focus on the Future, Not the Past

Another important thing to keep in mind when explaining your departure is to focus on the future, not the past. Emphasize what you’re looking for in your next job and how it aligns with your career goals.

  • “I’m looking for a company that values professional development and encourages its employees to take on new challenges.”
  • “I’m looking for a company that has a positive work culture and values work-life balance.”
  • “I’m looking for a company that aligns with my career goals and has opportunities for growth.”
Posted in: Job Interview