Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?

If you've been in the job market for a while, you may have been asked why you left your last job. This is a typical question many employers ask, and it's important to be prepared with an answer that doesn't come off as hostile or defensive.

So, let's start with what not to do. You don't want to say, "I hated my co-workers and bosses so much that I couldn't stay." That will confirm what they already know—that you have attitude problems and are difficult to work with—and make them wonder why they should hire someone who might end up being just as bad at their next job.

Termination

When employers do background checks, they can not ask WHY you are no longer working with them. They can only ask if you are eligible for rehire. In most cases, if you were terminated, you are not eligible for rehire. I know at Honda if you quit, you were also not eligible for rehire. This does not mean you will fail a background check. In most cases, they ask if you held the roles you stated during the time you listed on your resume.

When asked in an interview, honesty is important, but I would not disclose you were fired. Even if you were fired for unjust reasons, recruiters and hiring managers are human and WILL judge you. Interviews are hard enough. Instead, I would say that you parted ways for personal reasons, but you have no ill will towards your previous employer. You still have friends there, and you learned so much in your work.

Quitting & Layoffs

If you weren't terminated but left on your own or were part of a layoff, be honest about your reasons. Your interviewer will want to know whether or not it was a positive experience and how much of an impact it had on you.

When asked this question, you mustn't lie or exaggerate about why you left. If possible, try explaining what happened objectively without making any excuses for yourself. For example: "I enjoyed working at my last job but felt like I needed a change." This way of answering shows that although there were some good things about your previous employer (e.g., benefits), there were also some negatives (e.g., lack of growth opportunities). It also shows maturity by acknowledging these factors rather than focusing solely on one side or another; this makes sense because no job is perfect!

Use caution

You must be careful when answering this question because it can come off as either negative or defensive, depending on how you talk about it. You want to be honest and not appear unhappy with your previous job.

Here's an example of the best way to handle the question: "My previous employer was great! I learned so much from them, and it was an incredible experience for me, but I reached the top and had limited mobility within the organization." This answer sounds professional and positive while being honest about why you left your last job.

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The bottom line is that you don't have to be ashamed of being fired or leaving a job on your terms. You need to be honest about the reasons behind it and how those experiences have shaped who you are today. If you can do that, this question won't be an issue for you!