You often think of changing things when you have had enough experience with them.
Change can be progressive. Change can be refreshing. May it be changing something as small as the seating arrangement of your living room, or as big as changing a job.
Change does not necessarily assure progress, but progress implacably requires change -Henry Steele Commager
There might be numerous reasons behind you wanting to change your job. Both good or bad. However, one thing that might bother every individual who is looking for a job change is the question, why do you want to change your current job.
And you probably cannot always give an honest answer if you are changing your job because of a few bad experiences back at the workplace.
No matter what are your reasons for switching the job, you need to handle this question tactfully while facing an interview.
Stressing upon what to say when the interviewer asks why do you want to leave your current job?
Worry not. You have come to the right place. As you read through this article, you will find some of the ways in which you should answer if your interviewer asks you this one of the most common questions.
Our job was more like a hobby for us, rather than a chore. But we realized, we had overstayed our welcome — and it’s time for something new.
“Why are you looking for a new job?” or “Why do you want to change job?” Common interview questions like this one can seem quite daunting if you are not prepared well.
The recruiterwants to known the reason behind your decision to leave your current job, primarily. Secondly, they also want to determine whether you're serious about changing jobs and if you fit for the job position in their company.
You should be honest while answering this question but make sure you don't make any negative remarks. Do not direct the recruiter to your bad experiences at the workplace since it might create a negative impact.
LIsted below are a few tips that can help you craft an answer to this common interview question.
Here are some tips on how to answer this common question:
1. To Learn More:
You can say that you have gained enough experience from the current company and you want to learn more.
You want to change your job in order to face new challenges and gain new experiences. Also, you can say that you're looking for a new job position where you can emphasize your skills and knowledge.
It shows that you are willing to work hard, use your skills, and help the company to grow more.
2. To take on more responsibilities:
You can point out that you are willing to take up more responsibilities and come out of your comfort zone. This will show that you want to grow both professionally and personally.
You want to gain new skills and knowledge while taking on more responsibilities. It will show how ambitious and focused you are.
3. If you are willing to relocate:
Many candidates want to relocate to their hometown or change the city after spending many years in the same city or away from their hometown.
There can be many reasons to relocate such as spending time with their family, health issues, or the environment of the city.
Sometimes you wish to relocate to explore new places and in such a case you can say:
I want to relocate to my hometown to take care of my parents
My current company is a great place to work but it does not have a branch in my home town where they could transfer me
This job offers an opportunity to explore new places
4. Your contract will expire soon:
Some companies hire employees on a contractual basis.
You can tell the recruiter that now you need a permanent and secure job.
Show the recruiter that even your current role is on a contract basis, you work very hard and you got an appreciation letter so that the recruiter will consider your capability and look forward to working with you.
5. Looking for new challenges:
You are working for more than 3 years in your current company and now feeling less challenged, therefore you need to change the job and to take on a new challenge. This statement can prove to be an impressive one.
You can say that you want to develop your skills further with new challenges and this new job will give you the opportunity to grow in different dimensions, to broaden your experience.
The recruiter can be convinced that you have the ability to face and fulfill the new challenges with determination and have the flexibility to handle new things.
How NOT to answer “why do you want to leave your current job?”
When the recruiter asks you about the reason to change the company, try to avoid speaking about the negative aspects of your current job though you are changing your current job due to some clashes or misunderstandings. Never bring up the following points as your answer to this question:
1. Do not mention office politics as a reason:
Excessive office politics can be a reason why you want to leave your current job.
However, mentioning office politics as your reason to leave can make an impression on the interviewer that you are incapable of handling difficult situations and you choose to run away from problems rather than solve them. So, try to avoid giving this reason.
2. Avoid mentioning troubles with the boss:
One common mistake candidates make is badmouthing their boss. This will make you appear like a troublemaker or the one who takes things from one ear to the other. It's best to not mention any issues with the boss.
3. Avoid being negative altogether:
Do not badmouth about your current company, their financial stability, on-time payment, or any negative remarks about your coworkers. It will show the negative side of your personality than theirs. This can put a bad impression on the recruiter. Always give a positive answer.
4. Assigning unrealistic deadlines and targets:
The candidates often mention the pressure of deadlines and targets as an answer. This might get the employer to believe that you are not capable of handling deadlines. The recruiter may think of you as inefficient to work under pressure which again creates a bad impression.
You must have now got an idea of what to say and what not to say if this question is thrown at you.
It is very common to change or switch jobs for new opportunities, new experiences. All you need to do is firmly state your reasons for job change without making any negative remarks.
Understand what the employer wants to know from you and frame your answer accordingly. Make use of affirmative sentences and avoid badmouthing.
Honesty along with a little bit of diplomacy will help you answer these types of questions. It is important to handle this question tactfully without hurting your own as well as the organization's image that you are currently working with.
So, what is your reason for the job change? Let us know in the comments.
If you found this Blog informative please let me know and visit my website www.ajinkyachopade.com you will find various related blogs and material here.
Do like and share.