There are many reasons why you might consider looking for a new job.
Certainly, the end of one year and the beginning of a new one when we’re making New Year’s resolutions is when we often think about changing jobs.
Maybe circumstances in your life have changed and have necessitated a job change.
Perhaps it’s just time to move on from your current job and has nothing to do with timing.
While there are many legitimate reasons for looking for a new job, not every one should be mentioned during a job interview.
Here are some reasons for changing jobs along with some advice regarding which reasons are ones you want to avoid mentioning during an interview.
Reasons For Changing Jobs
1. You lost your last job. Layoffs and firings do happen. When discussing this subject in an interview, the best thing to do is to keep your answer factual and brief. Lying only gets you into trouble.
2. You’re underemployed and are looking for something that better matches your skills, experience and career aspirations.
3. You’re simply looking for a better opportunity. How do you define “better” though? There could be many answers to this question. If you are looking for a job that better showcases your skills and is more challenging, those are certainly good reasons to search for a new job.
4. You want a job closer to home. Have those long commutes finally gotten to you? Had enough of taking public transit to work? Maybe you’d just like to find a job with a shorter commute.
5. You’re travelling too much. Perhaps you are travelling way too much in your current job for your liking and are seeing more airports than you’re seeing your own house. Just make sure your next job doesn’t end up having the same travel component.
6. You want better long-term prospects. Maybe your current employer is in a dying industry, maybe it’s poorly managed, perhaps the long-term viability of the company/industry is in question.
7. You want a bigger/smaller company. The size of the company you work for can often have big implications in your career. You might like the family-like atmosphere of a small company or maybe you prefer a larger firm with more stability and more promotion possibilities.
8. Personal reasons. Perhaps the birth of a child, a recent marriage or another change in your personal life has resulted in you deciding that a fresh start is in order and you’re going to start with a new job.
9. You perceive unfairness with how you’re being treated. Is you manager treating you unfairly or not being totally honest with you? If you perceive you are being unfairly treated, you might decide this is important enough to look for a new job.
10. You were passed over for a promotion(s). If other people keep moving ahead of you on the corporate ladder, you might read the writing on the wall and believe that your chances for promotion are going to come with a different employer.
11. Ethical reasons. Have you discovered that your company is doing something they shouldn’t be or perhaps something you don’t wish to be part of? Maybe your company does something that goes against your value structure or that violates your religious beliefs.
Two More Legitimate Reasons For Looking For a New Job…
That You Might Want To Avoid Mentioning During An Interview
While the following two reasons are legitimate reasons for looking for a new job, the might be reasons you don’t actually mention during an interview. Some things are simply better left unsaid.
12. You have a problem with your boss/colleagues. Let’s face it, some people are just hard to get along with and some of them might view us the same way. Looking for a new job because one or more people you work with are causing you grief is certainly a legitimate reason but I’m not sure I’d mention this during an interview. While it’s realistic that we won’t get along with everyone we work with, you will need to carefully consider how you refer to this topic during an interview to avoid making it look like you’re the one who is hard to get along with.
13. You want/need more money. Maybe you feel you are paid less than what you are worth or perhaps you work for a company that is known for underpaying staff (some companies and industries have this reputation). Maybe your lifestyle requires that you earn more money quickly. While this is a good reason for looking for a new job, it’s not a good reason to give during an interview because you will look money motivated and no hiring manager wants to hire someone who will jump for a few dollars. If you’re simply looking for a raise, maybe you should first ask your boss for one before you start a job search?
Use your common sense if the reason you’re looking for a new job is one that a potential employer might not want to hear and if you think it could ruin your chances at the job.
I’m not suggesting you lie, I’m simply suggesting you carefully consider what you divulge.
Afterall, if you’re interviewing for a new job and the previous person who held the position got fired for having a work affair with a colleague or something crazy like that, do you think the hiring manager is going to come out and tell you exactly what happened?
Me neither.
Carl Mueller is an Internet entrepreneur and professional recruiter who wants to help you find your dream career.
Visit Carl's website to separate yourself from other job searchers: http://www.find-your-dream-career.com
Sign up for The Effective Career Planner, Carl’s free 5-day course: http://www.find-your-dream-career.com/effective-career-planner.html
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