Jordan shifted uncomfortably in the conference room chair as the hiring manager leaned forward with a knowing smile. “So Jordan, why do you want to leave your current company?” The question hung in the air like a test—one wrong word could undo everything.
As someone who’s conducted thousands of interviews and coached job-seekers through this exact moment, I’ll walk you through exactly how to handle this make-or-break question with confidence and strategy.
Why employers ask “Why do you want to leave your current company”?
Employers pose this question to assess your motivations, professionalism, and potential red flags. They want to understand whether you’re running away from problems or running toward opportunities. Hiring managers are specifically evaluating your ability to discuss challenges diplomatically, your long-term career thinking, and whether you might become a flight risk if similar issues arise in their organization.
According to recent hiring data, approximately 78% of interviewers ask some variation of this departure question during the interview process. The response often becomes a deciding factor in whether candidates advance to final rounds, making your preparation crucial for interview success.
Variations of “Why do you want to leave your current company?”
Interviewers often phrase this fundamental question in different ways to catch candidates off guard.
- What’s motivating you to explore new opportunities?
- What prompted you to start looking for a new position?
- Tell me about your decision to leave your current role
- What’s driving your job search right now?
- What would make you want to leave a company?
- What’s not working for you in your current position?
- What are you hoping to find that you’re not getting now?
- What’s pushing you to make a career change?
- Why are you ready to move on from your current employer?
- What’s missing from your current role that you’re seeking elsewhere?
- Walk me through what led to your job search
- What would need to change for you to stay where you are?
How to answer “Why do you want to leave your current company”?
Step 1: Lead with growth and opportunity Frame your answer around what you’re seeking rather than what you’re escaping. Focus on career advancement, skill development, or new challenges that align with the prospective role. This immediately positions you as forward-thinking rather than reactive.
Step 2: Keep it professional and factual Avoid emotional language or personal grievances. Stick to objective reasons like company restructuring, limited advancement paths, or industry changes. Never badmouth your current employer, colleagues, or management—this reflects poorly on your professionalism.
Step 3: Connect to the new opportunity Explicitly link your reasons for leaving to what excites you about the potential role. This demonstrates genuine interest and shows you’ve done your homework about the position and company culture.
Step 4: Be honest but strategic Address legitimate concerns without dwelling on negatives. If you’re leaving due to layoffs or company instability, state it matter-of-factly and pivot quickly to your enthusiasm for new possibilities.
Step 5: Practice your delivery Rehearse your response until it feels natural and confident. Your tone should be optimistic and professional, not defensive or bitter. Time yourself to keep the answer concise—aim for 60-90 seconds maximum.
Step 6: Prepare follow-up responses Anticipate probing questions about your current situation and have diplomatic responses ready. Interviewers might ask for specifics or test your consistency with follow-up inquiries.
Here’s an example response that follows this framework:
“I’ve really valued my three years at TechStart Solutions, where I’ve grown from a junior analyst to leading a team of five. However, I’ve reached a point where I’m ready for broader strategic responsibilities that aren’t available in my current company’s structure. I’m particularly drawn to this role because it combines my analytics background with the strategic planning opportunities I’m seeking. Your company’s expansion into international markets aligns perfectly with my goal to develop global business expertise, and I’m excited about contributing to that growth while advancing my own career in a larger, more established organization.”
This response accomplishes several key objectives: it acknowledges positive aspects of the current role, explains departure reasons without negativity, connects to the new opportunity, and demonstrates genuine interest in the company’s direction. The candidate sounds motivated by growth rather than dissatisfaction, positioning them as an ambitious professional making strategic career moves.