Why did you leave your last job? - Most asked HR Questions

Interview questions

This question will be there in HR round if you are experienced candidate. There are chances that the question will be asked more than once during the interview process.

The above question may also be asked as follows:

•     Why are you looking for new position now? (job change)
•     Why did you leave your most recent job/position?
•     Why did you leave company xyz?

Reasons for asking these questions are because your reasons for leaving a job are very important for an employer. Employers might be looking for the following things:

• Did you leave for a good reason? 
• Did you leave voluntarily? 
• Did you leave on good terms? 
• What are your work values?

Now let us talk about the main question i.e. why did you leave your last job?

There are many reasons to leave a job. Some of these reasons should be discussed in an interview while some reasons should not be discussed.

Usually almost everyone leave a job to move toward a better opportunity. However you should not position it as running away from a bad opportunity. Just tell the interviewer that you are leaving the job because the new opportunity is inspiring or the position is your dream job.

However please remember that you should never lie in a job interview. Instead of lying, just highlight positive reasons for considering a new position and better not to speak negative reasons.

In case if your company eliminated your department and this is the reason for leaving your job, you can share this reason. However it is good idea to emphasize the positive points and what you like the position.