“So, why are you looking to leave your current role?”

“It is not often that a man can make opportunities for himself. But he can put himself in such shape that when or if the opportunities come he is ready.” ― Theodore Roosevelt

✦Job Interview Preparedness Week✦

My Twitter followers (@SarahDJohnston) want to know how to answer the question, “So, why are you looking to leave your current role?”

✖ Don’t focus on negatives. I often hear job seekers say things about poor leadership or toxic culture. Negativity doesn’t look pretty on anyone.

✔ Be authentic. If you are taking a position with less responsibility because you are wanting more time at home with your wife/dogs/kids– then say that.

✔ Be positive and focus on the future. For example: “As much as I love the people at my current organization, I feel like I’ve stopped being challenged. What I like about this role, is that there is a lot of strategy and planning involved– two of my cores strengths”.

See original LinkedIn post for more thoughts on this question from other career experts: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6480409043591577600

Author

  • Sarah Johnston

    I’m a former corporate recruiter and industry “insider” who got tired of seeing talented high-achievers get passed over for opportunities because they did not have the right marketing documents or know how to position themselves in interviews. I have relocated multiple times across the country as a “trailing spouse” and have had to execute job searches in completely cold markets (where I literally knew no one!) I have been named a LinkedIn Top Voice in the career space in 2019, HR Weekly’s Top 100 Most Influential People in HR, named the owner of the “best resume writing firm for experienced executives” by Balance Careers and a “top follow” by JobScan in 2019 and 2020.

Sarah Johnston

Need focused coaching time?

Let’s get started