How to answer "why did you leave your job?" with confidence Part 1

"Why did you leave your last job?"

"Why are you looking to leave your current job?"

Someone submitted this when I asked you to let me know about which questions you absolutely dreaded being asked in an interview. I too HATE these questions for the same reasons most people do. The last thing you want is to sow any seeds of doubt in your sense of commitment or loyalty, and ruin your chance at landing that job.

I still remember when I was once asked this in an interview, a mere 6 months after I started a new job as a mental health counselor. You'll read all about my dilemma and how I handled this in my next post.

I had to address what would be the best response for 3 of the most common reasons why people leave their jobs. If you're in ANY of the below categories right now (or a combination), be sure to check my next 3 posts as I break down the best ways to answer this "dreaded" question.

1. Your job/ work environment was toxic.

2. Your heart was not into the work anymore.

3. You got fired.

Scenario #1: My job environment became toxic

You may love your work, but your tolerance has reached a breaking point because something, or rather someone, is making each week feel like you're fighting a battle while climbing up a mountain- and you're the one who's back is facing the slope.

Perhaps you've tried to address that toxicity that is stemming from negative co-workers, the tyrant boss, the stifling culture, or the questionable direction that the company is going in. But nothing has worked and it looks like nothing is going to change. Whatever the cause, looking for a change in environment becomes necessary.

But how do you explain leaving without trash-talking your employer?

The Solutions

#1 Do some research before you interview.

Find out what kind of environment you might be encountering at the next job. You can read company reviews on sites like glassdoor, but keep in mind that disgruntled ex-employees are not unbiased reviewers and not thinking about the positive times they might have had.

Whether you are looking to leave your job or have already left, Relationship building with others connected to a potential future employer can really help.Talk to a few people who can give you some insider information you need to determine if you can likely thrive in this new environment. The more people you can connect with before even applying for that new job, the better.

Won't this take some time? Of course it will if you don't have those relationships established, but it's effort well worth it. Relationship building with others is a necessary strategy in anyone's job search journey. Start this process before you leave your job.

What are the best questions to ask others? Consider the following:

- What is their approach to conducting business?

- What's the relationship between management and employees like? Or between different departments?

-What is their vision for the company?

-What values seem to matter to the employees and management?

- Online reviews are mostly saying X. What is your take on such reviews? What's your take on the company?

In case you CAN'T talk to anyone before the interview...

Take the interview, but you may have to ask questions like the ones above of your interviewer. If there is a theme of negative reviews online about the company, ask them about that as well. Sometimes, interviewers will reveal some telling truths without you even having to ask, as I learned first-hand.

Once, I interviewed for a Recruiter position for a large reputable company, and by the end of our discussion, I knew it was not the right fit for me. My Interviewer described recruiting as a "lifestyle" and that there were expectations to have very flexible boundaries (which I considered to be none at all) when it came to when and how often I would have to source candidates and fill jobs. It didn't align with my need for more balance between my personal and professional life. Having that balance was really important for me!

#2: Focus on the positive.

It's just never looked upon positively if you spend time trash-talking your co-workers, or your supervisor, or corporate. They might have been awful, and my heart goes out those who have to relive that sort of hell in their jobs week after week. I've been there. But the interview is not the place to talk about it. It becomes a one-sided opinion that will only prompt the interviewer to wonder if there's a chance you won't play well with their team.

Avoiding toxicity might have motivated you to start looking, but it's not the highlight of your professional story. You've got a vocational passion and you get purpose from applying your skills and talents to that passion. Keep this in mind as you prepare to answer this "dreaded" question.

Keep your answer POSITIVE. Highlight the key positive things you might have achieved on that job that you are trying to leave or have left already. Then a simple statement that it was time to move on and pursue your professional growth elsewhere will do. No need for any awkward deep dives into the details! Every answer you give is an opportunity to sell employers on why you're the one for the job.

Sample scenario & answer:

Miranda is an Administrative Specialist and provides clerical assistance to a Sales Rep who has no problems taking credit for all the times when she's had to do his job because he was absent or spending his work time on personal projects. Management became aware of this Sales Rep's behavior and several talks did not seem to change his attitude. There are currently no opportunities for Miranda to be promoted. Her frustration has been building overtime and it is clear that she needs to move on.

"Over the last year with XYZ as an Administrative Specialist, I've had many opportunities to demonstrate my ability to problem solve beyond my clerical duties. I went beyond preparing new hire packets to presenting orientations weekly. I even served as a primary representative to clients when they weren't satisfied with the services we provided and learned how to rebuild trust and what offers I could make in order to keep their business. I'm looking for an opportunity that will allow me to continue working within my leadership abilities and that embodies the value that going beyond is appreciated."

All of a sudden, this "dreaded" question does not need to be feared so much! Equipped with the right knowledge and some diplomacy in an interview, you can interview with confidence achieve the dream of moving on to bigger and better things! Read on how you can achieve interviewing confidence this with just your resume, question practice and non-verbal communication.

I hope this post helps someone that is out there battling with this question. Don't give up! And come back for more tips on how to handle this question if you've left or are leaving your job due to the other 2 reasons I mentioned before!