Responding to the interview question, “Why do you want to leave your current position” is a delicate balance of honesty about your career aspirations and respecting your current employer.
Take a listen to this recorded guidance on how to respond to this question.
In order to answer this question effectively, I suggest that you focus on three things:
1) The opportunity to advance your career to the next level – Explain to the interviewer(s) that you have experienced tremendous career growth in your current and past professional roles. Share with them how this rich experience has enabled you to take on larger scale projects that greatly impact your employer’s operations or bottom line. Then finish by expressing that this experience has prepared you for the next level in your career;
2) Relate your answer to the position that you are being considered for – This is where your analysis of the vacancy announcement becomes a key to an effective response. Take up to three of the most career impacting duty statements and explain how your professional and educational backgrounds relate directly to them. Let them know that you are ready to take on a greater level of decision-making authority. The key is to help the interviewer(s) envision you doing the job and meeting a business challenge that the position is meant to resolve.
Also express that your research into the organization revealed that the potential employer’s mission, vision, and values align with your personal values. This lets them know that you have really done your homework on learning as much as you can about their organization, and;
3) Never express negativity towards your current or former employer or position – The quickest way to kill your interview success is to go on a rant about how you’ve been treated badly by your past or current employer. The most appropriate way to continue your response on the high road is to express appreciation for the opportunity to work for that employer, but that it is time for you to move to your next assignment.
Remember, positivity always wins out. Put these steps into practice to increase your chances of interview success.
Go get your new job!
