Best Answers of “Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?” — Even if You Got Fired

What should you say when employers ask, “Why did you leave your last job?”

Most job seekers understand that employers may ask them why they quit their previous job or jobs. This is a commonly asked question that can help hiring managers gain insight into your work priorities and employment history. Of course, the wrong answer could seriously harm your candidacy by making a bad impression during the interview. With that in mind, how should you answer the question, “Why did you leave your last job?”

In this guide, we'll explain why employers ask the question, “Why did you leave your last job?” We'll also offer some tips and examples that you can use to create your own compelling response.

Why do employers ask, “Why did you leave your last job?”

Before we go any further, it's important to understand why employers ask the “Why did you leave your last job?” question. In most instances, employers are trying to learn one of three things:

They're seeking greater insight into your career journey. Professionals do change jobs, of course – and there's nothing inherently wrong with that. But it's helpful for employers to understand your reasons. Did you just wake up one morning and decide you were done? Was the decision reasonable? What does it say about your values? Good interviewers can use this question to gain tremendous insight into who you are as a person and as a professional.
The hiring manager wants to determine whether you quit or were fired. If you were laid off, the interviewer needs to understand whether the reason was related to performance or integrity. Of course, they will also be trying to assess your attitude. Do you take responsibility for your side of what happened, or do you blame the employer?
This question can also provide an opportunity to learn whether you left the job on good terms. Your ability to build and keep relationships says a lot about your diplomatic intelligence. So, if your former boss is your champion and a prominent reference, your candidacy automatically gets a boost.

Variations on the question

The “Why did you leave your last job?” question could come in several different formats. Here are three versions that are most common:

“Why are you looking for a new job now?” This question typically arises when one is employed and looking for a new opportunity.
“Why did you leave your last job?” It's logical for the hiring manager to focus on your most recent job experience.
“Why did you leave job X?” Sometimes, an earlier job departure might catch the hiring manager's attention. This is especially true if you had an unusually short stint there.

So, look at your resume carefully and prepare for all question variants that may apply.

Related reading: How to Explain Why You've Been Job Hopping

How to answer, “Why did you leave your job?”

It's always a good idea to prepare for questions like this before you get to the interview. That preparation can help ensure your answer is both positive and compelling. Below, we've compiled some simple tips you can use to formulate your response to the “Why did you leave your last job?” question.

Step 1: Be clear on your version of the events

Process what happened and get honest with yourself.

Why did you leave?
Why did the layoffs affect you, not others on your team?
Why were you fired?

Your early answers will be raw and not ready for prime time. Still, take note of them because they carry the truth.

Next, it's a good idea to think about what you've learned about yourself in the process.

What's most important about a position to you?
What do you need in your next job?
What did you like the most about your last job, and what did you dread?
How would you describe your relationship with your co-workers and boss, and how would you want it to be different next time?

Step 2: Frame your answer in a positive way

This next part is critical: Avoid bad-mouthing your former employer or boss. Even if you feel that you were underpaid, overworked, or not given fair opportunities, it's important to stick to the facts and do your best to make your explanations positive. Every coin has two sides, and every professional has a hand in what happens to them. Take responsibility for your own actions, frame the separation in a positive light, and shift the conversation toward your value as a prospective employee.

Step 3: Keep your answers short

Candidates can dig themselves into a hole by sharing too much. Sometimes, it's best to say as little as possible. So, keep your answer short, pause, and wait for the follow-up. You can always go into more detail if needed, but you can't take back something you've already said. Frame your answers with gratitude for the opportunities you've had and with excitement for what's next, and your prospective employer will see your true value – not just a series of past positions.

Reason for leaving a job answers

Not every job departure is created equal. Without a doubt, some situations are trickier than others. Here are a few scenarios, ranked from ideal and straightforward to overly complicated – and some possible responses that you could give to employers.

Ideal scenario: Looking for a job while still employed

In most cases, the best time to find a new job is while you're already employed. Your current employer's value for you enough to keep you on their team can send a strong signal to any new potential employer. Being employed also enables you to be more confident about negotiating for the best employment deal since you know you have time and a steady paycheck.

Nonetheless, it's still possible to give a bad answer if an employer asks, “Why are you looking for a job now?” If you're not careful, your response could easily leave the wrong impression. Are you greedy and willing to jump ship for a pay raise? Are you unwilling to put in the hours that your current job requires?

Here are some possible responses that can put you in the best light:

“I've learned a lot in my current position, including valuable communication and conflict management skills. I'd like for my next opportunity to give me a chance to build on my leadership skills.”
“I know that I do my best work when I can balance my work and personal responsibilities. I take my workplace commitments very seriously and want to work for a company that allows me to plan my days for highest efficiency and effectiveness.”
“I love my current role and my boss, but the company structure just doesn't allow me to take on new responsibilities.”

What about looking for a higher paycheck? It's a valid and good reason, but tread carefully. Here's a way to frame this reason if it must be addressed head-on:

“I am motivated by many factors. Client satisfaction and approval from my boss are two of them. Compensation is also important because it's a reflection of the value I deliver to the company and its clients. I appreciate the opportunity to do my best work and to celebrate the moments when I've surpassed my goals.”

Slightly more complicated: You left your last job

Sometimes, you leave a job without another to take its place, leaving you in an interesting position. If this is your situation, explain your reason for leaving clearly. Here's what it might sound like:

“I loved my experience at Company X. I learned a lot about client service, technical aspects of accounting, and process improvement. I miss my co-workers and my bosses, especially Mike, who was my mentor and senior manager on the last project. However, I left my last job because I knew that I wanted to step out of the consulting role and get a chance to improve processes from within a company. That opportunity just didn't exist within Company X. I also knew that the firm was heading into a busy season. It wouldn't be fair for me to make myself available and then quit the moment I found my next job. So, I chose to leave before that happened.”

Focus on what you accomplished in your last position and your goals for the next position. If you've been unemployed for a few months, be prepared to demonstrate how you've used that time productively by pursuing professional training, networking, volunteering, etc.

Tricky: You were laid off

People get laid off for a host of reasons: an economic downturn, downsizing, the company losing a key client or contract, restructuring, a merger or acquisition, etc. None of those reasons have to do with your performance or value as a professional, and hiring managers understand that. In fact, they may even be sympathetic, especially if they've had to let go of valuable team players in the past.

Your strategy should be to make the reason for your layoff clear. Emphasize your accomplishments and contributions to the company. Be truthful, but skip anything that makes you look vengeful, unprofessional, dishonest, or unmotivated. Here's an example to get you started:

“Unfortunately, I was affected by the corporate restructuring that happened after Company A was acquired by Company B. The new leadership decided to relocate all the technical support staff to the new corporate headquarters in Charlotte, NC. Those who didn't want to move were laid off. I considered my options and decided to look for a local opportunity that could take advantage of my 10 years of experience as a team lead and an expert in XYZ technology.”

It's complicated: You were fired

Take a deep breath – getting fired from a job happens. It's not a death sentence. Make sure that you mention any extenuating circumstances but own your part of what happened. Be sure to focus on the positives that came out of this tough situation. Did you discover a need to align with your core strengths, learn a valuable lesson, or uncover a skill gap that you've since fixed?

Here's what it might sound like:

“In retrospect, I understand that the head of my department had different expectations of me than what had been communicated in the job description. I thought my job was to provide exceptional service to the existing clients of the company. My manager expected me to go out and bring in new clients. As I reflect on the experience, I see that I was a strong service provider. Client retention during my time at Company ABC was excellent! The only clients we've lost were the ones who passed away. However, I am not a salesperson, and I want for my next position to capitalize on my strengths as a relationship builder and a problem solver.”

The right answer can help you make the right impression on employers

Without the right preparation, you may not feel comfortable answering the “why did you leave your last job” interview question. By taking the time to create the best possible response before your interview, you can increase the odds that your answer makes a great impression on any interviewer.

Need help getting your resume ready to help you land your next interview? Get your free resume review from our team of experts today.

This article was originally written by Natalia Autenrieth and has been updated by Ken Chase.

Why Did You Leave Your Last Job? (+ Sample Answers)