There are many reasons why you may have left your last job. Perhaps you had the worst boss in the world, you were laid off, or you simply did not like how your co-workers treated you. Whatever the reason may be, the key to answering this question is a positive attitude.
The dreaded question “Why did you leave your last job?” is asked frequently in an interview because the interviewer wants to see:
The Employee – Your answer should support why you are a good employee and what value you would bring to their company. Are you the type of employee that needs micromanaging or a leader?
The Co-worker – Attitude is important in a workplace. Whether good or bad, a person’s attitude toward the workplace and co-workers contributes to a company’s success or failure.
The Motive –The interviewer wants to know if you are a good fit for their company—what drives you, and what can make you lose interest in the job.
How to Construct the Answer
In answering this question, what an applicant needs to remember is that the interview is about you. Stop talking about how bad your previous job was, and start talking about how your previous job has prepared you for bigger challenges and what value you would bring to their company.
The reason most applicants fail to ace an interview like this is bad-mouthing. Even if most employees hate this question, it is important to note that it is not that difficult to answer. The secret lies in being a professional. In the world of business, employers value professionalism. Being a professional means that as much as you might have hated your previous job, you do the right thing—and that is to be positive.
