Human Answer
TRAPS:
Never badmouth your previous industry, company, board, boss, staff, employees or customers. This rule is inviolable: never be negative. Any mud you hurl will only soil your suit.
Especially avoid words like “personality clash”, “didn’t get along”, or others which cast a shadow on your competence, integrity, or temperament.
BEST ANSWER:
(If you have a job presently) If you’re not yet 100% committed to leaving your present post, don’t be afraid to say so. Since you have a job, you are in a stronger position than someone who does not. But don’t be coy either.
State honestly what you’d be hoping to find in a new spot. Of course, as stated often before, you answer will all the stronger if you have already uncovered what this position is all about and you match your desires to it. (If you do not presently have a job.)
Never lie about having been fired. It’s unethical – and too easily checked. But do try to deflect the reason from you personally. If your firing was the result of a takeover, merger, division wide layoff, etc., so much the better.
But you should also do something totally unnatural that will demonstrate consummate professionalism. Even if it hurts , describe your own firing – candidly, succinctly and without a trace of bitterness – from the company’s point-of-view, indicating that you could understand why it happened and you might have made the same decision yourself.
Your stature will rise immensely and, most important of all, you will show you are healed from the wounds inflicted by the firing. You will enhance your image as first-class management material and stand head and shoulders above the legions of firing victims who, at the slightest provocation, zip open their shirts to expose their battle scars and decry the unfairness of it all.
For all prior positions:
Make sure you’ve prepared a brief reason for leaving. Best reasons: more money, opportunity, responsibility or growth.
ChatGPT Answer
When answering the question "Why are you leaving (or did you leave) this position?" in an interview,
it's important to approach your answer with honesty and professionalism. The interviewer is trying to understand your motivations for leaving your current or past job, and how that relates to the position you are applying for.
Here are a few examples of how to answer:
- "I am leaving my current position because I am looking for new challenges and opportunities for growth. I have learned a lot in my current role and I feel that I have reached a point where I am ready to take on new responsibilities and expand my skillset. I am excited about the opportunity to bring my experience and knowledge to the position at your company and make a positive impact."
- "I have decided to leave my current position to relocate to a new city. My partner has accepted a job offer in the area and we will be moving in the next few months. I am excited about this new opportunity and I am confident that my skills and experience will be an asset to the team at your company."
- "I left my last job because the company was going through a period of restructuring, and my position was eliminated. I was disappointed to leave, but I understand that these things happen in business. I am now looking for new opportunities where I can use my skills and experience to make a positive impact."
It's important to be honest and professional, don't bad mouth your previous employer or blame others for your decision to leave, it's better to focus on your motivations and goals and how they align with the position you're interviewing for.