Monday 5 January 2015

Why did you quit your last job?

Most of the time responding for the reason to quit the job is not easy because of greedy intentions. Such question definitely can be handled if and only if you know the in and out of the question. Let's have a look.


Possible Intention:

  • To know the reason for your job switch.
  • To know if you are just a mercenary who works for whoever pays more.
  • To know your expectation that made you leave the previous job.

Insights:

  • Be ready with a convincing answer. The interviewer is trying to judge whether to hire you or not, if you left previous job after a very short stint.
  • Have a list of reasons which do not say bad things about your previous employers.
  • If you have disagreements with your previous employers, do not wash dirty laundry in public.
  • Do not give a flippant reply. It shows that you are not a responsible person and do not take your job serious.

Example Answer:

  1. I had to leave in a very short period due to some family problem and continuing my job was not possible. Since I had not completed my probations, getting leave was difficult, when my family needed me the most. But I assured you that nothing of this sort will happen now since the problem has been sorted out.
  2. I had a few disagreements with my manager in earlier employment, and as i could not make compromises with my core beliefs, I thought it would be good idea to seek out like-minded people who can foster those beliefs.
  3. There was a gap between what I want and to do with my life and what the organization needed, so rather than having disturbances in my personal life as well as work environment, I decided to approach with same vision as mine.

Anti Pattern:

  • Do not say you left because you did not like the working environment or the project that you were assigned. It may indicate that you are not adaptable. 
  •  Do not say that you did not like working with earlier organisation and hence you left the job. 
  •  Do not elaborate and dwell on the problem you might have faced earlier. 
  •  Do not portray yourself as a victim.

Interviewer's Interpretation:

  • The interviewer may appreciate your honesty and forthrightness so long as you can justify what your core beliefs are.
  • The interviewer will understand that you have the courage to take strong decisions, but not out of malice.
  • That you are sincere, thoughtful and responsible person who is capable of taking the right decisions. 

1 comment:

  1. Why you left your last job is one of the most stressful questions in the interview. Employers want to choose web developer that is reliable and competent. Making sure you sound like a good worker is key. Those examples are really smart too. Wanting to challenge yourself and move on is normal in work.

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