When you sit down for a job interview, one question always comes up: "Why did you leave your last job?"
This question makes many people nervous. But it doesn't have to be scary. Having sat on both sides of the interview table – as a candidate and as someone conducting interviews – I can tell you that there are many good reasons for leaving a job. What matters most is how you explain your choice.
According to career experts at Indeed, people leave jobs for many different reasons, and this happens often. Your interviewer probably left a job before too. They understand it can be hard to talk about past jobs in a positive way.
Let's look at the top reasons people leave their jobs and how to talk about them in interviews.
Before we dive into the reasons, let's understand why employers ask this question.
Hiring new people costs time and money. Companies want to make sure you won't quit quickly. They also want to know what you value in a workplace.
When employers ask about your last job, they're looking for three things:
Your answer gives them clues about whether you're a good fit for their team.
Here are the most common and acceptable reasons people leave their jobs:
Sometimes you learn everything you can at a job. When there's no room to grow, it's time to move on. This is by far the most common reason I hear in interviews, and honestly, it's the one hiring managers respect the most – because it shows ambition.
Maybe you wanted a promotion but didn't get one. Or perhaps your company doesn't have higher positions available.
How to explain it: "I enjoyed my time at my last company, but I reached a point where I wasn't learning new skills. I'm looking for a role where I can take on more responsibility and grow my career."
Many people leave jobs because they work too many hours. If your old job made you stressed or burned out, that's a valid reason to quit.
Companies today understand that employees need time for family and personal interests. As noted by Novoresume, hiring managers are generally understanding of people's needs for a greater work-life balance.
How to explain it: "My previous job required a lot of overtime, which made it hard to maintain a healthy balance. I'm looking for a position where I can be productive during work hours and still have time for personal commitments."
Many workers now prefer remote or hybrid work setups. If your job responsibilities can be done from home, this is a perfectly good reason to change jobs.
How to explain it: "Since my job responsibilities can be done entirely remotely, I'm looking for an opportunity that lets me work from home and reduces wasted travel time."
Companies change over time. Maybe new management took over and changed the culture. Or your company merged with another one, and things felt different.
These changes can make your workplace feel unfamiliar.
How to explain it: "After the company restructuring, the work environment changed significantly. I preferred the previous culture and decided to look for opportunities that better match my work style."
Sometimes your role shifts away from what you originally signed up for. You might have been hired to do one thing but ended up doing something completely different. I interviewed a candidate once who was hired as a front-end developer but gradually became the team's full-time project manager – with no title change or pay bump. That's a perfectly reasonable reason to move on.
For example, you were hired as a designer but spent most of your time in meetings instead of creating.
How to explain it: "Over time, my responsibilities shifted away from the creative work I love. I want to get back to hands-on design work, which is why this position interests me."
Moving to a new area or dealing with a long commute are practical reasons to change jobs. Maybe your family relocated, or traffic got worse over the years.
How to explain it: "When I moved to this area, my daily commute became over two hours each way. I'm looking for something closer to home so I can be more focused and productive."
While money is important, be careful how you talk about this in interviews. Instead of saying "I wanted more money," focus on career advancement.
How to explain it: "I felt my skills and experience weren't being fully utilized in my previous role. I'm looking for a position that offers more challenging work and growth opportunities."
Family always comes first. Whether you needed to care for children, elderly parents, or deal with other family matters, employers usually understand this.
How to explain it: "My family situation changed, and I needed a more flexible schedule. Now that things have settled, I'm excited to return to full-time work with a company like yours."
Getting laid off isn't your fault. Companies sometimes have to cut jobs due to budget issues or economic changes.
Be honest about this - there's no shame in it.
How to explain it: "Unfortunately, my department was eliminated due to company restructuring. I have great references from my time there and I'm ready to bring my skills to a new organization."
Many people decide to switch careers entirely. Maybe you were in sales but want to try marketing. Or you worked in an office but want to teach.
Career changes are normal and often exciting. According to Coursera, career advancement and career change are common reasons people pursue new opportunities.
How to explain it: "I realized my true passion lies in education rather than corporate work. I've been taking courses to prepare for this transition, and I'm excited about this teaching opportunity."
Career experts emphasize that there's no single "right" reason for leaving a job, as noted by Robert Walters. However, the strongest answers are honest, forward-looking, and relevant to your career.
Here are some important tips to keep in mind:
| Do This | Don't Do This |
|---|---|
| Stay positive | Complain about your old boss |
| Be honest | Make up stories |
| Keep it brief | Give too many details |
| Focus on the future | Dwell on past problems |
| Show what you learned | Blame others |
Avoid these common mistakes when explaining why you left:
These answers make you sound negative and unprofessional. I've actually disqualified candidates for saying variations of these – not because leaving a bad boss is wrong, but because how you talk about past employers tells me how you'll talk about us someday.
If you were fired, don't lie about it. Employers will find out eventually. Instead, be honest and show what you learned.
Example: "I was let go because my performance didn't meet expectations in that specific role. I've since taken time to improve my skills in [area] and I'm confident I can succeed in this position."
As highlighted by career coaches, you get to decide how you present your career journey. You are never obligated to share anything you are uncomfortable sharing. Focus on framing your reasons positively and connecting them to future opportunities.
There are many good reasons for leaving a job. What matters most is how you present your story. Stay positive, be honest, and focus on what you want for the future.
Remember, changing jobs is normal. Most people change jobs multiple times in their careers. Employers understand this.
The key is to show that you made a thoughtful decision and that you're excited about new opportunities. When you do this well, your reason for leaving becomes a strength rather than a weakness.
One last thing from my own experience: the candidates who handle this question best aren't the ones with the most polished script – they're the ones who sound genuinely reflective about their career choices. Authenticity beats rehearsal every time. Prepare your core message, but let it come out naturally.