# Best reason for leaving a job (interview) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 17, 2008, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-reason-for-leaving-a-job-interview/445665 "2008-04-17T00:08:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-reason-for-leaving-a-job-interview/445665/1 "2008-04-17T00:08:08Z")
So I have an interview tomorrow. Inevitably they ask why you are leaving your current position. What do you think is the best reason to give? (Likely saying that I want to choke the shit out of my boss almost every single day is a bad reason.) ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-reason-for-leaving-a-job-interview/445665/2 "2008-04-17T00:10:53Z")
I always say because I have always desired to do x, and have decided now is the time. “I loved my job at y. It was a great experience; however, I have always wanted to do x, and now that I have the experience and the knowledge to do it well, here I am.” ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-reason-for-leaving-a-job-interview/445665/3 "2008-04-17T00:13:36Z")
I’ve had some pretty good honest reasons. In one case I wanted to work closer to home, so that I wasn’t 30 minutes from my childrens’ school. In one case I left to start my own business. Do you suppose you are a better “fit” in the new place? Or that your goals are more closely aligned with their business plan? ---
**Author:** ![Satchmo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/satchmo/32/4223_2.png) [@Satchmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satchmo)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-reason-for-leaving-a-job-interview/445665/4 "2008-04-17T00:15:24Z")
You can always say you want to try something new, and/or you are looking for a position that has a better future, (more potential for advancement), and/or you want something more in line with your training or desired career direction. Also, maybe say you want a position that will be more challenging, if your old position was just repetitive work. Lots of good reasons for wanting a change that don’t involve wanting to choke your old boss. Never tear down your old place of work during an interview. The most you can say is that your old firm was going in a direction you weren’t entirely comfortable with. HTH ---
**Author:** ![atomicbadgerrace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@atomicbadgerrace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/atomicbadgerrace)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-reason-for-leaving-a-job-interview/445665/5 "2008-04-17T00:15:54Z")
Give them an honest answer, but sugar coat as necessary. It’s always worked for me. For example, rather than “I want to choke the shit out of my boss almost every single day,” try “I’m looking for an opportunity with an organization that has goals and ideals more closely aligned with my own.” I’ve been asked the question on every job interview as far back as I can remember. My answers have included “don’t like the hours,” “doesn’t pay enough,” and “looking for better benefits.” In all three cases, none of those answers hurt me. ---
**Author:** ![Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harriet_the_Spry)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-reason-for-leaving-a-job-interview/445665/6 "2008-04-17T00:23:27Z")
I can think of two good ones. Sincerity and plausibility are key, though. First is to just focus on the attraction of the new jobs. “I’m so attracted to the opportunity here at Shiny Diamonds that it just lures me away from my current position at Consolidated Sludge.” The second is that you have quickly advanced as far as possible in your current job and need to move out of the company to move up. “After a year as Sludge Drudge they promoted me to Senior Sludge Drudge, and now I’m Sludgemaster, the best one they ever had. But that’s the top of the ladder at Consolidated Sludge.” ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-reason-for-leaving-a-job-interview/445665/7 "2008-04-17T00:50:15Z")
[QUOTE=Satchmo] You can always say you want to try something new… [/QUOTE] Yeah, but then if he doesn’t hire her, he will claim it is because she had wanderlust or something, right? Does any of those interview tips I have heard ever work? I mean, I have never been 100% honest in an interview, but I certainly have never used any of those tips that people say to use (why, I would say my biggest flaw is being a workaholic!) I have heard so many dos and don’ts of the interview process, that I doubt any of them are valid at all. **Khadaji** , you just go in that interview and _sparkle_. I am sure Shiny Diamonds won’t let you slip through their fingers. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-reason-for-leaving-a-job-interview/445665/8 "2008-04-17T00:52:10Z")
Can I have your job at COnsolidated Sludge? My main goal in life is to be a Sludge Drudge. StG ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-reason-for-leaving-a-job-interview/445665/9 "2008-04-17T00:57:16Z")
Well, I had a job interview this morning and honestly answered “I was laid off in November and have only had temporary work since, and that not often”. At which point the two people interviewing me nodded sympathetically and murmured “yes, the economy is bad”. I started work two minutes after the end of the interview. Frankly, honestly is probably your best policy, just be tactful. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-reason-for-leaving-a-job-interview/445665/10 "2008-04-17T03:13:53Z")
[QUOTE=Broomstick] I started work two minutes after the end of the interview. [/QUOTE] You got a job ?! W00! Congrats ! 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![BlueKangaroo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3d9bf3/32.png) [@BlueKangaroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueKangaroo)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-reason-for-leaving-a-job-interview/445665/11 "2008-04-17T03:23:58Z")
[QUOTE=NinetyWt] > [@Broomstick](#): > > I started work two minutes after the end of the interview. You got a job ?! W00! Congrats ! 🆒 [/QUOTE] Emphatically echoed! ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-reason-for-leaving-a-job-interview/445665/12 "2008-04-17T04:53:47Z")
[QUOTE=Nzinga, Seated] I mean, I have never been 100% honest in an interview, but I certainly have never used any of those tips that people say to use (why, I would say my biggest flaw is being a workaholic!) [/QUOTE] Those tips are created by HR people and career counselors. Most of it is bullshit because those people exist to perpetuate a nonsensical fantasy that we work to find some fulfilling challenging experience surrounded by our peers. Look, everyone knows the real reasons you are leaving your current job: Your raise,bonus, or promotion didn’t come through Your boss is a jerk Your coworkers are idiots The work is boring and tedious The company is in financial trouble You’re sick of the long hours and/or travel You’re probably getting fired soon anyway We all know the real reason, so just humor us and tell us “you want to take your career in a new direction”. All we really need to know is that you aren’t all pissed off and biter. In reality, we are just happy that you might be working for us. ---
**Author:** ![Randy\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee7513/32.png) [@Randy\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randy_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-reason-for-leaving-a-job-interview/445665/13 "2008-04-17T05:48:13Z")
**Previous position:** Systems analyst **Duration of employment:** Aug '07—Aug '07 **Reason for leaving:** When all the beets had been harvested, they kicked everyone out of the barracks. Hey, if you’re not going to be honest, at least be creative. EDIT: [Post count of the beast!](http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/8205/postcountas0.png) ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-reason-for-leaving-a-job-interview/445665/14 "2008-04-17T15:07:08Z")
I’ve heard that acceptable reasons for leaving a job can be summarized by the acronym CLAMPS: **C** hallenge: you weren’t able to grow professionally. **L** ocation: the journey to work was unreasonably long. **A** dvancement: there was nowhere for you to go. **M** oney: you were underpaid for your skills and contribution. **P** ride or prestige: you wanted to be with a better company. **S** ecurity: the company was not stable. If one of these might be a plausible reason for leaving a job, you could use it. “Location” is good these days, given how everybody knows that gas prices are skyrocketing and making long commutes more of a disadvantage. > [@Satchmo](#): > > Never tear down your old place of work during an interview. Seconded. Never complain about previous bosses, co-workers, or company policies during an interview, no matter how infuriating, abusive, or idiotic they were. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-reason-for-leaving-a-job-interview/445665/15 "2008-04-17T16:42:59Z")
Thank you to all who replied. The interview went smoothly and I _think_ I’ll get a call back. (Although it was a phone interview and it is hard to tell…) ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-reason-for-leaving-a-job-interview/445665/16 "2008-04-17T17:33:18Z")
[QUOTE=Broomstick] I started work two minutes after the end of the interview. [/QUOTE] YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! _Throws confetti, in the air, wiggles butt for happy dance, etc etc_ Please tell me this job has health insurance? ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-reason-for-leaving-a-job-interview/445665/17 "2008-04-17T18:04:04Z")
[QUOTE=Anne Neville] I’ve heard that acceptable reasons for leaving a job can be summarized by the acronym CLAMPS: **C** hallenge: you weren’t able to grow professionally. **L** ocation: the journey to work was unreasonably long. **A** dvancement: there was nowhere for you to go. **M** oney: you were underpaid for your skills and contribution. **P** ride or prestige: you wanted to be with a better company. **S** ecurity: the company was not stable. [/QUOTE] I prefer: **S** tupid boss **U** nderpaid **C** oworkers are idiots **K** icked out of the building **I** sn’t going anywhere **T** rashed the bosses car ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-reason-for-leaving-a-job-interview/445665/18 "2008-04-17T21:52:20Z")
[QUOTE=ivylass] YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! _Throws confetti, in the air, wiggles butt for happy dance, etc etc_ Please tell me this job has health insurance? [/QUOTE] No, it does not. And it’s not full time. But it is more than I had on Tuesday, so as far as I’m concerned it’s an improvement. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2008, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-reason-for-leaving-a-job-interview/445665/19 "2008-04-18T00:26:09Z")
Go silent. Look down. Look up and stare into space just past the Interviewer. Let your face slowly contort with rage. Pause. Mutter; Those Fuckers! Pause for effect. Then shake your head, look the interviewer in the eye with a slightly confused look on your face and say, in all sincerity; “What was the question again?” Oh wait. You wanted to GET the new job, didn’t you. Oh well, um…_don’t do that._ ---
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2008, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-reason-for-leaving-a-job-interview/445665/20 "2008-04-18T03:04:37Z")
[QUOTE=Broomstick] I started work two minutes after the end of the interview. [/QUOTE] Dude - you ROCK! Congratulations! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-reason-for-leaving-a-job-interview/445665.md?page=2)