How to Answer: “Why are you leaving your current job?”
A complete guide to answering this common interview question — including what interviewers are really looking for, practical tips, and a worked example answer.
What interviewers are really asking
Be honest but professional. Never speak negatively about your current employer — even if it's warranted. Frame your answer around what you're moving towards (growth, challenge, impact) rather than what you're running away from.
Tips
- Never criticise your current employer — even privately.
- Frame your answer around what you're seeking, not escaping.
- Be specific — vague answers raise suspicion.
- Keep it brief — one or two reasons is enough.
- Show that you've thought about this move carefully.
Example answer
Sample response
“I've had a great three years at my current company and learned a lot. But the team has stabilised and the scope of my role has narrowed. I'm at a point where I want to work on more complex, ambiguous problems and have greater ownership over outcomes. This role offers both — a broader remit and a product that is still evolving rapidly. That's the kind of environment where I do my best work.”
Adapt this to your own experience — never use any example answer verbatim.
Use the STAR method
Structure your answer as: Situation (brief context), Task (your specific responsibility), Action (what you personally did), Result (the quantified outcome). Most strong interview answers follow this pattern.
Full STAR method guide