When recruiters ask the reason for a job change, tell them these 6 reasons - Paisan
It would help if you framed clear and concise answers to put before your next employer for things to go your way. While numerous questions could be thrown at you, the easiest sounding yet very difficult to answer is when you are required to give reasons for a job change. It could be trickier when you don’t know what answer could be pleasing to the employers, which could disappoint them. While you can always keep guessing and figuring out the right answer, it is more important that you communicate it with confidence.
Employers are often very curious about what led you to switch jobs. It is also essential for them to understand whether or not you are stable in their working environment and fit into the job role you will be given. After interviewing many of my colleagues now and in the past, I came up with the six best reasons you can confidently put forth to sound positive.
In this blog
- You are looking for a challenging role
- You want to work in a company with next-generation company culture.
- Commuting will be easier after a job change.
- You have skilled up but have to do repetitive jobs.
- You are looking for a job with learning and development opportunities.
- You want to work with a big brand and add pride to your experience.
The 6 best reasons for a job change
Each job seeker may have one or many other reasons for a job change. Also, time and again, one may see indications suggesting job change. If you want to change jobs, one of the following is likely your reason.
1. You are looking for a challenging role.
When you are a person who is keen on learning new things and taking up challenging jobs, you might start looking to work in a startup with a fast-paced work environment, undertaking roles that involve responsibility and ownership.
2. You want to work in a company with next-generation company culture.
There has been a revolution in company work culture in the last couple of years. Next-generation brands are taking initiatives to improve work culture where employees feel valued and get enough say in improving their work-life balance. Some initiatives to count on include unlimited paid leaves, work-from-home options, gamification, and fitness programs. With this reason for a job change, you will also appreciate the employer’s good company culture.
3. Commuting will be easier after a job change.
If you are shifting to a new city altogether or travelling becomes hectic for you in your current job, it can be a good reason to make a switch. However, you must come up with a good reason to explain why it is difficult for you to reside near the company’s building (workplace).
4. You have skilled up but have to do repetitive jobs.
There is no limitation to learning. You can learn new things and improve yourself every day for better opportunities, promotion and higher CTC. However, you might not find the opportunities that you deserve in the same company and may have to do the same tasks repeatedly. And if that is the case, it is the best reason for a job change.
5. You are looking for a job with learning and development opportunities.
L&D options at work are the key to good career development. Cutting-edge brands and new-age entrepreneurs are already taking initiatives to regular L&D programs to help their employees upskills themselves and grow in their career. Hence, if your current company has no such options, you might start looking for a new job with L&D opportunities.
6. You want to work with a big brand and add pride to your experience.
It is generally a good decision to switch to a bigger brand name. Work experience in well-known and established brands comes with several benefits while in the company and after it. Hence, it will always be a satisfactory answer for the recruiter and the hiring manager.
Reasons deemed not so good for a job change, and what should one do in such a case?
Following are some of the reasons considered to be bad reasons for job change:
1. You are fired
Getting fired from a job is an unfortunate circumstance to be in. So, what do you do? There could be various scenarios where your boss could fire you from your job. However, you can escape such a circumstance if it is related to performance. Companies define KPIs to monitor their employees’ performance. And at times, the company’s expectations can be beyond your capabilities. In that case, clear communication with the management and a resignation instead of getting fired can be healthy for your resume.
2. You want more salary
Hopping on jobs for a salary hike is another reason recruiters and hiring managers dislike. It indicates that you are extremely concentrated on personal growth and can never connect with an organisation’s vision and mission. Hence, if you have just started your career, spend at least more than a year before looking for another one. It will make sense for you to explore before settling down with a company for a long time.
3. You find your job boring
Such a reason can hurt you not just in interviews but also in your career altogether. Often, due to competition in the job market and wrong career selection, people have to settle for a job they don’t like. Hence, even on changing the company, you will likely be unhappy with your daily work schedule.
4. You have to work overtime
In white-collar jobs, full-time employees are supposed to own the work they are given to do. In a way, the concept of overtime ceases to exist. Hence, if you consider a few hours of extra work as overtime, you must reconsider changing jobs. Even after changing jobs, you may still have to devote extra hours to your new job.
How to answer “Why are you looking for a job change?”
When an employer asks, “why do you want to change jobs?”, he will be willing to hear one of these six reasons. While you answer, you must elaborate on the reason in an optimistic fashion. You must mould your answer to your reason for a job change that looks convincing and for good.
Let us have a look at some of the sample answers to interview questions about why you want to change your job:
1. When you are dissatisfied and don’t like the work in the company - The best answer for reason for job change in an interview
Example: I work as a digital marketing executive in my current job, but I have realized that my interests lay in solving problems pertaining to user experience in the digital sphere. I have been active in suggesting solutions to interaction issues in UX design in the UX team in my current company. In your company’s job post, I have seen the requirement for a fresher UX designer, and I believe I will be a fit for the position.
2. When you don’t like the company - The best answer for reason for job change in an interview
Example: In my current job, I work as an SEO expert. Here, I have gained valuable experience selling products organically on web channels. I believe I will be efficient working as a full-time marketer at a more robust and growing organisation.
3. When it is hectic to travel to the job location - The best answer for reason for job change in an interview
Example: In my current job, I am required to travel to the nearby city which is far from the place I live with my family. Hence, I am looking for an opportunity here that could offer me favourable travelling and an appreciable work-life balance.
4. When you are looking for higher pay - The best answer for reason for job change in an interview
Example: I like taking up challenges. Bigger and better opportunities motivate me to perform better. In your company, I will get that opportunity and relatively higher pay that will further motivate me for a more aggressive approach to handling projects and executing strategies.
5. When you have an aspirational goal and are looking for better opportunities - The best answer for reason for job change in an interview
Example: I am never afraid to push my limits for bigger and better opportunities. New challenges and seemingly impossible goals excite me to work harder. In your company, I will likely get milestones to achieve that will excite me to accomplish with absolute efficiency and lend me satisfaction.
6. When you are looking for flexibility in work - The best answer for reason for job change in an interview
Example: My current job requires me to work for fixed hours. I like my job and am satisfied by work, but looking for a position that offers flexible working hours so that I can spend some quality time with my family alongside an exceedingly well performance at work.
Conclusion
It is advisable that you do not have to tweak your answers to make them sound like a good reason and that you don’t have any stability issues. To ensure that your reasons are genuine, you must find yourself in a position where you can feel confident to ask for a better opportunity, a higher pay with dignity while maintaining honesty in your answers. To summarize, above anything, it is important to keep adding skills. When you have skills and experience to talk about and be aspirational in your tone, you are sure to make it through an interview and answer with confidence.
