The first step to avoiding pitfalls, including interview pitfalls, is to be aware that they exist. ~ www.jaywren.com

Interview Pitfalls: Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?

Interview Pitfalls: If you are unemployed, the reason you left your last job may be important to the hiring company. The interview pitfalls are creating impressions that you have done something wrong.

Your answers can help the interviewer learn several important things about you. Therefore, create your answers based on what you believe the interviewer wants to know. Here are some examples.

  1. Know what type of job you are seeking
  2. Help the interviewer evaluate your employment stability
  3. Give the interviewer information on your integrity
  4. May simply give the interviewer see how well you deal with difficult questions
  5. Help the interviewer understand more about your judgement in making big decisions

Reasons People Leave a Job

Remember that there are valid reasons for people leaving a job. Creating presentations on how your company conditions and changes adversely affect your career and life will help the interview understand your situation.

  • Safety issues can make jobs undesirable.
  • Commute costs or commute distance are sometimes overwhelming.
  • Job stress can create the necessity for finding a different job.
  • A change in a person’s home life can force a person to find a new job.
  • A challenging work relationship with your supervisor or co-workers can make you want to find a new place to work.
  • Companies run into difficulty.
  • Automation is reducing career opportunities.
  • Companies move offices, retail locations, or manufacturing facilities to less desirable locations.

Avoiding the Interview Pitfall

The main issue is that you have a presentation that shows that your leaving your job in no way makes you less a great hire for their company.  Your accomplishments alone may allow the interviewer to move past the issue. A good response can make the pitfall disappear. Write out a solid, brief answer. The items above may help you prepare for a powerful, effective response.

Test Your Presentation for Feedback

To test how well your answer will avoid interview pitfalls, try giving your response to different people. Their feedback will help you evaluate the effectiveness of your response. Additionally, different people will have different views on how to answer the question. You may find that these people help you with additional information about your response. Their questions may help you think more deeply in creating a credible response.

Interview Pitfalls

In the end, you will need to select an answer that works best for you. Thoroughly rehearse your answer. And don’t worry. How you answer the question may be more important than your reason for leaving your last company. Don’t let this interview pitfall cost you a career opportunity.

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