How to Answer “Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?” in an Interview

“Why did you leave your last job?”

Based on my experience observing countless interviews as recruiters, a common challenge arises when candidates are asked, “Why did you leave your last job?” We often hear direct answers like “I wanted more money” or “The work environment at my old company was bad.” While these reasons may be true, they can unintentionally reflect a negative attitude to the interviewer.

The good news is, with the right approach, you can turn these common pitfalls into an opportunity to highlight your professionalism and focus on your career goals.

Turn a Negative Answer into an Opportunity
Have you ever had a candidate answer the question, “Why did you leave your last job?” by being too direct, saying something like, “I wanted more money” or “My old company was too difficult”?

While these answers might be true, speaking so directly can give the interviewer a negative impression, making them think the candidate has a poor attitude or is only focused on personal gain.

As an IT Recruitment Specialist at Cathcart Technology, I’d like to show you how to turn these negative answers into creative and impressive responses that demonstrate to the interviewer that you are the right fit for their organization.

Scenario 1: “I wanted more money.” 💰
What NOT to say:
“I wanted a higher salary. The last company didn’t pay me enough.”
What to say instead:
“I am seeking an opportunity for professional growth and am looking for compensation that aligns with my increased experience and skills.”
Tips:
• Shift from “I want” to “I am seeking an opportunity”: This shows that you are motivated by career advancement, not just money.
• Link it to your abilities: Connect the desire for higher pay to your enhanced skills and experience, demonstrating your value.
• Show understanding: Acknowledge that you understand salary growth is based on a company’s structure, but you are ready to prove yourself to take on more challenging responsibilities.

Scenario 2: “The old company was difficult/bad culture.” 😩
What NOT to say:
“My old company had too many rules, my boss was a micromanager, or my colleagues were terrible.”
What to say instead:
“I am looking for an organization with a culture that fosters creative collaboration and empowers employees to reach their full potential. I believe your company offers that environment.”
Tips:
• Do not badmouth the old company: Never criticize your former employer. This will make the interviewer worry that you might speak about their company in the same way in the future.
• Focus on what you are looking for in a new company: Instead of saying what you didn’t like about the old job, talk about what you are seeking in a new one.
• Show you understand their company culture: Demonstrate that you have researched the company and believe it’s a place where you can grow happily.

Scenario 3: “The work was repetitive/boring.” 🥱
What NOT to say:
“My old job was repetitive, and there were no new challenges.”
What to say instead:
“I am ready for new challenges and am seeking an opportunity to apply my skills and knowledge to a wider variety of projects. I believe this position will allow me to continue developing myself.”
Tips:
• Show enthusiasm: Emphasize that you are eager to learn and continuously improve your skills.
• Connect it to the position: Show the interviewer that this specific role meets your needs for growth.
• Look forward: Talk about the opportunities for development you see in this role, rather than just escaping a boring job.

An Extra Tip: Knowing What the Company Wants
Another key to a great answer is having insight into what the company truly needs. This is a major advantage that a recruiter can provide.

For example:
• Imagine a candidate who was a Pre-Sales professional but shifted to a full Sales role.
• Now, imagine the company they are interviewing with is specifically looking for a Pre-Sales person.
• A great answer would be to connect their previous Pre-Sales experience and confirm that their goal is to return to that function.
• By knowing that the company needs a Pre-Sales person who also has Sales experience, the candidate can highlight their advantage in pitching and negotiation, making them a much more compelling choice for the role.

This strategy also applies to individuals who are changing careers or seeking a different type of role. By using the insights from a recruiter and connecting their past, relevant experiences to the new role, they can present a much more convincing case for why they are a strong candidate.

Summary: The Principles of a Great Answer ✨
1. Do not talk about the negatives of the old job: Focus on the future and the opportunities at the new company.
2. Talk about what you are looking for: Show that you have clear goals that align with what the new company needs.
3. Emphasize your desire to grow: Tell them you want to develop your skills and take on more challenging responsibilities.
4. Show a positive attitude: Interviewers look for people with a good attitude towards work who are ready to be a constructive part of the team.
5. Use recruiter insight: A great answer is tailored to what you know the company is looking for.

Good luck on your next interview!

Content by Cathcart Technology Team
Contact Cathcart Technology
Tel: 02-038-5878
Email: hello@cathcarttechnology.co.th