​If you’re job hunting this January, you’ll likely encounter a similar line of questioning in each interview. And arguably, one of the hardest questions to answer is “Why are you looking to leave your current position?”

In order to answer this question without raising alarm, you need to find a way of outlining your motivators, whilst displaying that you aren’t afraid of a challenge AND have no hard feelings when it comes to discussing your previous (or soon to be) employer. No big deal then…

To help you nail this difficult interview question, we have highlighted 5 reasons for leaving your last job that most hiring managers will understand.

1. You want a step up in your career but have reached the ceiling for growth at your current company.

Plateauing at one’s current company is both frustrating and common. You’ve worked hard for your current employer but have reached the pinnacle of career growth. In order to get ahead, you need to move on – this shows ambition and a desire to take on a new challenge. Go you!

2. You don’t feel challenged enough in your current role.

We all have bad days, but if work becomes a chore and you are no longer challenged or mentally stimulated, it is time for a change. And, if this is the case, an interviewer will understand your desire to pursue other avenues.

3. You want to make a career change.

It’s common to leave a position in pursuit of a change in career; FJ has ex-teachers, ex-PTs, ex-hospitality staff and even ex-singers in our team! Even if you think you lack the necessary industry experience to apply for an interview for a position, don’t panic. Here at FJ, we actually like hiring candidates from different industries and many of our clients actively employ people from outside of their specific technology and/or industry to gain a wider perspective on things.  

4. Your values do not align with your previous employer’s.

Whether you have never felt well-match with your current employer or an event altered its values (an infamous Microsoft acquisition springs to mind…), a conflict in morals is a strong an understandable reason to leave. No one should have to compromise their values to deliver on results for their company and hiring managers want to hire people that will fit their own company’s values, so laying yours out on the table will go a long way to ensuring you don’t end up in the same situation again.

5. You feel undervalued in your current position.

We can all feel undervalued at work from time to time, whether it is helping a colleague who refuses to say thank you or assisting in a sales pitch that got you zero commission, we’ve all been there. However, if you’ve been working hard for the same company for a few years and have been skipped over for promotions, pay-rises and general appreciation, no hiring manager will fault you for wanting to move on to get up the career ladder.