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"Why Did You Leave Your Last Job"

Best Answers [Examples]
Job Interviews 08/27/2018

Natalie Severt
Resume Expert at Zety

Blog › Job Interviews › "Why Did You Leave Your Last Job" Best Answers [Examples]

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Why did you leave your last job?

You will always get this question, and it’s a hard one.

Well, Mr. Interviewer. That’s an interesting question. I threw my computer

out a seven-story window after re-enacting Fight Club with my boss. 

Then I got fired! Imagine that. 

Okay, so you know that’s not how you talk about leaving employment. But
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what if you did get fired and it was ugly? Do you tell the ugly truth? 

Not to worry. There is a way to answer this common interview question

well. And that’s without blowing your chances at landing your dream job.

This article will show you:

• What interviewers are getting at when they ask, “Why did you leave your
last job?”
• How to prepare acceptable reasons for leaving your job - without lying.
• The best answers for the “why did you leave your last job” interview
question. 

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What Are They Asking? - Why Interviewers

Ask “Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?” 
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The most obvious reason for asking the “why did you leave your last job”
interview question?

To find out if you’re a good employee or a bad employee. That’s because

this is one of those tricky behavioral interview questions.

The employer is checking to see if you:

• Have a good reason for leaving your job or jobs.

• Are running away or pursuing a new opportunity.
• Can leave situations on good terms with others.

• Value work and have a sense of obligation.

Regardless of what may or may not be true, the right answer should always
be a combo:

First, you’re moving on to a better opportunity. 

RIGHT
I quit my job to pursue new opportunities and take a new step
in my career.
 WRONG MENU

I quit my job because I didn’t like it. That’s all. It didn’t suit me.

Second, you have no hard feelings against your former

employer.

RIGHT
I’m leaving my current job to pivot into a different industry. As
you can see, I left on good terms with my former employer as
he is one of my references.

WRONG
I got fired because I did not get along with my supervisor. We
went together like peanut butter and asparagus. She was the
asparagus. Obviously. 

Third, you value work and have a sense of obligation.

 RIGHT MENU

I spent less than a year in my last position because of

corporate layoffs. Now, I know that I want to work for a
smaller company that is more involved in my local
community.

WRONG
I haven’t quite figured out what I want to do yet. That’s why
I’ve been moving around trying things on for size. 

Now, we’re not telling you to lie. 

You should never lie during an interview. But, you should refrain from the
following:

• Badmouthing a former employer - even if they deserve it.

• Victimizing yourself.
• Sounding wishy-washy or flakey.

For those of you who are making a life or career change, you have nothing
to fear. That’s where you’ll focus in your “why did you leave your last job”
answer.  
For those of you making large career changes, you may need to provide
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more of an explanation. For example, when you’re transitioning from one
industry to another.

Let’s say you’re going from marketing to construction. The interviewer is

going to ask why you want to make such a big transition.

You’ll need to come up with clear and concise reasons for wanting to make
the change. 

But for the rest of you, this question will be tough to answer.

The “why did you leave your last job” interview question is harder for:

• The Career Changers

• The Job Hoppers
• The Long-term Unemployed

Regardless, there are best answers for every type of job seeker.

Here are some other ways that an interviewer might phrase the job
interview question:

• Why are you leaving your current job?

• Why are you looking for a new job?
• Why are you looking for a new opportunity?

They may also ask more direct questions:

 • Why did you leave a particular job?
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• Can you explain your career gap?
• Why did you leave after two days - weeks - months?
• Why were you fired?

Pro Tip: Do you know the old saying, “less is more?” Well, that applies
here. Keep your answer short, and don’t go into detail. And that’s
especially true if the details are unflattering.

Want more best answers to common interview questions? We’ve got you
covered. Read our guide: “Most Common Job Interview Questions and Best
Answers (+20 Examples)”

How to Prepare Acceptable Reasons for

Leaving Your Job

Let’s say that you haven’t quit your job yet. You were hanging out on
LinkedIn one day and happened to see a fantastic job offer.  That makes
you a “passive” job seeker.

Best Answers for The Passive Job Seeker

You’re an ideal candidate. You’re a good employee who sees the open
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position as a golden opportunity. One so good that you couldn’t pass it up
even though you already have a job. 

That means two things:

• You don’t have to think about what to say.

• You don’t have to say anything other than the truth.

So what should your answer for the “why did you leave your last job”
interview question be?

RIGHT
I have spent the last two years building a strong team of
marketing professionals. My team has increased sales with
our campaigns by 37% over the last fiscal year. But when I
saw your offer, I had to take the opportunity. I want to work
for a bigger firm with more diverse, iconic marketing projects.
I’m ready to make that move in my career. And XYZ Company
would be the perfect fit. That’s why I would consider leaving
my current job.

• Notice that the candidate highlights an accomplishment.

“Increased sales by 37%.”
 WRONG MENU

I love your company. I’ve wanted to work for your company

since I was a little kid. I used to pretend that I worked for your
company even at my current job. So, it makes sense to leave
my current job and work for your company for real. Right? I
love you guys!

• Don’t go overboard. 

But how do you prepare an answer if you’re not working? The sad fact of
the matter is that it’s easier for someone who already has a job to land
another. 

So, in the end, a best answer for the “why did you leave your last job”
depends on the length and reason of your unemployment.

You Got Laid Off

The one perk of getting laid off from a job? It didn’t have anything to do
with your performance. Companies make layoffs all the time. They merge,
reorganize, and lose money. 

All these things have nothing to do with you as an employee. The bad news
is that you lost your job. The good news is that it wasn’t your fault. 
So when you provide a list of reasons for quitting a job, all you have to do
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is:

• Briefly mention that you got laid off and why. 

• If other people got laid off, say that as well.
• Explain how you were a good employee.

• Explain why you think the open position is an excellent opportunity.

The key is to practice your answer before the interview, so you don’t sound
bitter or cynical.

You Got Fired

Here’s the real tough one. 

Why did you leave your last job? Well, I was fired.

And why were you fired? 

Let’s say it was the bad kind of fired. Here’s what you’ll need to do to
explain why you left your last job:

• Don’t lie or avoid the question. 

• Speak about what happened in as diplomatic terms as possible. 
• Add what you learned from the experience. 
• Assure the interviewer that you are not a risky candidate. 
The key is to stay calm and be diplomatic. Also, remember that your new
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employer might check your answer. You don’t want to get terminated again
for lying on an application. 

You’ve Been Unemployed (More than 6 Months)

When you’re unemployed for longer than six months, you’re in a spot of
trouble. Around two million individuals are “long-term unemployed” in the
US. 

And the longer you’re out of a job, the more unattractive you are for hiring
managers. The unemployment merry-go-round is one of those weird, Catch
22 biases that a lot of people have to face. 

Here’s the good news - you’re going to the interview! That means you’ve
won half the uphill battle. Now, you have to convince the interviewer that
you’re not a risky candidate. That your time spent unemployed has nothing
to do with you as an employee. 

Here’s what you’ll need to do to explain why it was so long ago that you left
your last job:

• Avoid lying and victimizing yourself. 

• Focus on the productive things you did while unemployed.
• Then swing the conversation back around to why you’re right for the job.

You can always invoke the “bad economy” argument. 

“Why did you leave your last job?” Layoffs. “Why the gap of unemployment?” No
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one is hiring. People understand that it’s hard to find employment in the
current economy.

You’re a Career Changer

Let’s say you left your last job because you want to change your career.
That could include a change of industry, role, or job.

Changing Industries

For example, let’s say you’re a Sales Associate. You want to sell clothes
instead of carpets. You’re core skill set still comes into play. You’re still
selling something, so you have to explain that you’re a great salesperson. 
Explain why you want to change.
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Focus on the progress you want to make with your career.
Concentrate on the shared skill set.

Changing Roles

Let’s say you’re a Senior Sales Associate who wants to go back to being a
Junior Sales Associate - a role changer. You’ll have to explain why you want
to move backward. And you’ll have to explain that it’s not a problem that
you’re overqualified.

• Explain why you want a change - i.e., a better work-life balance.

• Reassure the interviewer that being overqualified is not a risk.

Changing Jobs

Now, let’s say that you’re a Sales Associate who wants to be a beekeeper.
An extreme career change is going to be the hardest to explain. 

Your love of bees is not the best “why did you leave your last job” answer.
You have to convince the interviewer that you know what you’re doing and
that you’re qualified for the position.

• Explain why you want the change.

• Explain why your skill set still matches the job requirements.

The good news is that you have the one of the best reasons for leaving your
job. The bad news is that it might be difficult to sell yourself in extreme
circumstances. But if you prepare in advance, you should be convincing. 
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You’re a Chronic Job Hopper 

Chronic job hopping is leaving employment after short periods of time. And
no, it’s not only a Millennial thing. 

If you’re a job hopper, you may have to talk about several jobs instead of
answering “why did you leave your last job.” 

If you’ve spent less than a year at a job, the interviewer is going to ask
about it. 

Let’s say you’ve done that several times. Well, that raises red flags for future
employers. How do they know that you’re going to stay?

You’re not only a warm body that’s going to fill an empty chair. No, you’re
an investment. 

It can cost an employer from six to nine months of your salary to find and
train your replacement. So, your job is to convince the interviewer that
you’re either not risky or worth the risk. 

So, here’s what you have to do to provide the best answer:

• Try to focus on the fact that you felt every change was positive for your
career.
• Then explain that you’re either a pro at what you do or that the open
position is your dream job.
 Pro Tip: If you’re a stay-at-home parent who took time off to raiseMENU
children - say that! The same applies for those taking care of ailing
family members.

The six-year gap you see on my resume was the time I took off from my
career to raise my daughter. Now, she’s starting kindergarten, and I’m
ready to go back to work. 

That’s a full-time job! And hiring managers aren’t going to look down on you
for that. 

Plus, don’t forget to mention the many productive things you did during
that time. Whether it’s the PTA, volunteer work, or freelance work all those
things take skills and hard work. So mention them!

Struggling to answer those tough behavioral interview questions? Check out

our guide on the STAR interview method or view all our helpful interviewing
tips.

You can also bring up your hobbies and interests at an interview. It’s a good
way to break the ice. Find out more: “+20 Best Examples of Hobbies &
Interests to Put on a Resume (5 Tips)”

3
 Best Answers for the “Why Did You LeaveMENU
Your Last Job” Interview Questions

Laid Off  - The Best “Why Did You Leave Your Last Job” Answer

RIGHT
The reason why I left my previous job had to do with layoffs. I
worked for XYZ Company for less than a year when it merged
with a larger company. I was declared redundant after the
merger as I had a more senior counterpart at the parent
company. While I worked at XYZ, I learned how to make short
videos for marketing purposes. I was trained to use video
editing software and recording equipment. I realized how
much I enjoy such work. So, that’s why I’ve applied for the
Video Marketing position with your company.

• The candidate uses neutral language without placing blame on

the company. She also does not go into gory details about how
she was selected to get the boot.
• The candidate also placed emphasis on her relevant skill set.

WRONG
 WRONG MENU

After many years of loyal and dedicated work, I was thrown

out of my last job. I was thrown out like Cat in Breakfast at
Tiffany’s. Just tossed like a cheeseburger wrapper out of a
moving car’s window. I worked there for ten years. Ten years!
Oh, the horror. It’s like a bad breakup. It’s like hearing Mr.
Darcy went for that terrible other woman, what’s her name?
Oh, who cares. You don’t. I don’t. It’s the fact that he went for
her and not me that’s important.

• It’s normal to feel decimated after losing a job. If you feel like
your world has turned upside down, consider taking some time

for yourself. If that’s not an option, it’s best to try to get the
anger and grief out before your interview.

Fired or Terminated  - The Best “Why Did You Leave Your Last
Job” Answer

RIGHT
The startup that I worked for didn’t achieve the level of growth
they expected within the first year. The owner hired project
managers for IT and Content to try to diagnose the problem.
The IT project manager decided the problem was the front
RIGHT MENU

end design of our website. Instead of changing the design, the

PM suggested the owner clean house and start from scratch.
It was my second job. I worked in a corporation first and
wanted to try working in a startup instead. What I’ve learned
is that the startup environment is fast-paced and ever-
changing. You can be in fashion one day - MySpace and MSN
Chat. And replaced the next - Facebook. The important thing
is to stay quick on your feet. That very same design work
landed me my next job!

• As you can see, the candidate gives a diplomatic, positive

answer. She then states what she learned from the experience.

WRONG
My boss accused me of stealing. But I wasn’t stealing. It was
Miranda who had the sticky fingers. But my boss had a thing
for Miranda. So, I got fired for stealing. What I learned is that
it doesn’t matter what you do. Life isn’t fair.

• This answer raises red flags across the board. Was she stealing?
She says she wasn’t. But someone thought she was. She’s at the
very least placing the blame on someone else and bitter.
Unemployed (More than 6 Months) - The Best “Why Did You
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Leave Your Last Job” Answer

RIGHT
The reason for leaving my job seven years ago had to do with
downsizing. I took the opportunity to start my family, and
have spent the last five years raising my daughter. During that
time, I also ran a small online shop where I sell furniture that I
refurbish in my free time. I also sell furniture on Etsy and
Ebay. The experience has taught me a lot! I now have a
practical skill set for working on furniture. Plus, I know a lot
about online marketing, sales, and customer service. I also
run a blog for my site and get around 1,000 unique visitors a
day.

• The candidate briefly answers the “why did you leave your last
job” interview question by mentioning downsizing. He doesn’t
into details. Instead, he moves on to what he’s been up to as a
stay-at-home dad.
• Next, he follows up by talking about how he’s stayed productive.
Now, you don’t have to run an online business. You could always
talk about the skill set you picked up raising a child.
• Finally, he describes his new skill set a little bit before quoting a
number. Numbers are a good way to illustrate your success.
 WRONG MENU

I left my last job after the company folded. I’ve been on

unemployment for the last two years. Unfortunately, no one
seems to be hiring. I haven’t done much in the interim except
for spending time with my kids and playing Flowerville on
Facebook. But, I feel like I deserved the vacation. I’ve worked
most of my life, and this was the first time I’d ever had a
decent break.

• It’s best to avoid telling the interviewer that you’ve been doing
nothing for the last two years. Even if it’s true. You did not sit
around watching Judge Judy while eating Cheetos until your

fingers turned orange. No, you were a productive member of

society and stuff.

Career Changer - The Best “Why Did You Leave Your Last Job”
Answer

RIGHT
I have decided to leave my current job because I am
passionate about cooking. Being an accountant has paid the
bills for half a decade. But now, I want to cook. I want to be
on my feet in a fast-paced, demanding environment instead
of chained to a desk. As you can see on my resume, I’ve
RIGHT MENU

prepared for my career transition by finishing culinary school.

I also obtained the proper certifications. I also have a lot of
skills that will translate from my career as an accountant.
Accounting has taught me to pay attention to detail and to
focus. I also have exceptional analytical and problem-solving
skills.

• The candidate points out how he has prepared for the job
transition. He also draws attention to the skills that will translate
from his past job to his future job.

WRONG
I quit my job because it was too demanding. I was burnt out
and the pressure was too much for me. I want to go back to
the days when all I had to do was data entry. I’m not cut out
for management. I know that I’m overqualified. But I prefer
doing the grunt work.

• It’s not a good idea to go into details here. An explanation like

this might raise concerns for the interviewer. Is she lazy? Can she
not rise to a challenge?
• Instead, focus on how you want to achieve a better work-life
balance. Explain that you prefer the type of work that you were
doing before your promotion.
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Chronic Job Hopper - The Best “Why Did You Leave Your Last
Job” Answer

RIGHT
As you can see on my resume, I left my second-to-last job after
three months. I got the opportunity to take a management
position in another company. I wanted to take the next step in
my career. I want to leave my current position because I’ve
maxed out my growth possibilities. With your company, I
would have the opportunity to grow and learn. I see this
position as the potential sweet spot in my career. Your
training programs and career paths are exactly what I need to
keep my career on track.

• Here the candidate has left her last two jobs after a short period.
But she focuses on the steps she’s taking to progress her career.
That’s admirable.
• She also mentions that the open position is one that she can see
herself in for awhile. She explains how the position has what the
others didn’t.

WRONG
I’m not going to lie to you. I have itchy feet. I’m looking for that
position that feels “just right,” and I still don’t know what
 WRONG MENU

that’s going to be. I also have wanderlust. I love to travel. So,

I’ve left jobs before to take trips. But that’s why I feel this
position is perfect. As a travel blogger, the thing that drove me
away from jobs before would keep me at work. It’s a perfect
solution.

• Don’t. Red flags everywhere. Here we have a clear example of a

candidate that sounds wishy-washy and flakey.
• Employers want to hire employees who want the job and are
going to stay. Don’t give the impression that you would do
otherwise.

Now that you’ve aced your interview, what’s next? Time to send a thank you
email to the interviewer. Here’s how: “How to Write a Thank You Email After
an Interview(+10 Examples)”

Bonus: Download FREE step-by-step checklist of things to do before

an interview. “Things You Need To Do Before Your Big Interview.”

Key Takeaway
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Yes, the “why did you leave your last job” interview question is tricky.

The solution?

• Practice, practice, practice. Know what you’re going to say before your

interview. Preparation is the key to talking through even the worst reasons
for leaving your job. 
• Avoid lying and victimizing yourself, instead focusing on the productive
things you did while unemployed.
• Then swing the conversation back around to why you’re right for the job.

Still not sure how to tell an interviewer your reasons for quitting a job? We
can help! Leave us a comment, and we will help you find an appropriate
way to talk about your last job before you land your new one. 

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AUTHOR

Natalie Severt
Natalie is a writer at Zety. She loves writing about resumes and
eating tacos more than life itself. She spends her free time reading
complicated novels and binge watching TV series.
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