Job interview skills

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3 Tips On How To Answer “Why Are You Leaving Your Job?”

A prepared job seeker will have thought about the questions that will be asked in their job interview. One of them may be: "Why are you leaving your job?" As you think about a response to this question, also consider how the interviewer may interpret that response.

It's important to take caution with how you answer questions in a job interview because when they're not framed properly, they can be interpreted negatively and cost you the job opportunity.

There can be many reasons why you want to leave your job. For example:

You hate your boss
You're bored at work
You want more money
You want more challenges
You don't want to work in this particular field or industry
Or an assortment of other reasons

Whatever your reason is, it's not always appropriate to tell it like it is to the potential employer. Think of a response that will impress the employer that still comes off as an honest reason.

Here are some tips to help:

Give A Positive Response To The Question

Communication in a job interview should always come off as positive. To start, you may talk about the great opportunities you've been given and how much you've learned through your current employer before giving your reason for leaving your job. Employers like to hear things like this because you come off as professional and respectful of your existing employer even though you have made the decision to move on.

Regardless of your true feelings about the situation at work, never bad mouth the company or your co-workers.

Don't Dwell On What Your Current Employer Isn't Offering You

Man answers a question during a job interview

There may be multiple reasons why you want to leave your current job, but you don't need to include information about what you're not being offered. The reason for this is that potential employers can interpret it as an action you may take against them if hired.

For example, instead of saying, "I don't feel challenged at work anymore," reframe the message to say, "I'm looking for new challenges in the area of X, Y, and Z, which I can see this job offers," and then go into the experience and skills you have to offer to further impress the interviewer. Reframing your response this way makes it less likely that the employer will take the information and interpret it negatively.

Focus On The Future

Talk about what you're heading towardsâwhat you want to experience and achieve to continue growing professionally. It works best when you can also tie in how the potential employer could offer that to you. When you answer in this manner, it informs the employer that you are an individual who seeks self-improvement and that you have a real interest in the company because of what they specifically offer. It tells the employer you are someone with great potential for hire who will be dedicated to employment with them for a reasonable amount of time.

"Why are you leaving your job?" is only one out of many questions you will be asked in a job interview. Knowing how to respond positively and framing it in a way that informs the employer why you're a great fit ensures you stay in the running for the job and helps move you on to the next stage of the interview process.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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3 Tips On How To Answer “Why …

5 Things To Do Before Your Next Job Interview

Congrats! You landed a job interview. Now, how are you going to ace it and move on in the hiring process?

There are a few things that are absolutely CRITICAL to interview success. If you want to get a job offer, you've got to do these things before an interview.

Research The Company

Before you go into an interview, whether it's a phone screen, in-person, group, panel, or virtual interview, you MUST do your homework on the company. You want to understand the companies to which you're applying BEFORE the interview. That way, when they ask, "So, what do you know about us?" you'll have a solid answer and won't be flustered. (P.S. The last thing you want to say is, "Oh, not much. I was hoping you'd tell me!")

Understand What Salary Range Is Competitive

Always, always, always understand what's the going rate for your position in your industry. The hard truth is you might not make the same salary as your last job. You need to understand what's a competitive salary BEFORE you apply for a job (and especially before you get into the interview process). Otherwise, you risk pricing yourself out of the job right off the bat, or worse, selling yourself short.

Know What You Bring To The Table

Young job candidate talking about what he can bring to the company during a job interview.

Know exactly what you bring to the table in terms of value. Why are you going to be an asset to this company? What problem are you going to solve and how will you solve it better than the 'other guy'? You need to understand this inside and out. Otherwise, you're going to have a hard time selling yourself to the interviewer.

Prepare Some Examples Of Your Wins

Man writes down his answers to interview questions

Examples help you back up your claims. They're proof that you've been there, done that, and did it well. Prepare some relevant, quantifiable accomplishments that you can bring up during the interview to reinforce your skill sets.

Practice Your Delivery

Young woman practicing her delivery with two co-workers before her next job interview.

Practice makes perfect! The more you practice, the more comfortable you'll be when you're in the interview. You'll look calm, focused, and confident. Consider doing a mock interview with a friend or a career coach beforehand to get you warmed up for the real thing!

By doing these key things, you'll be one step closer to acing your next job interview and getting an offer. Good luck!

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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5 Things To Do Before Your Next …

The 4Â Amazing Benefits Of A Mock Interview

Job interviews can be intimidating, especially if you're not prepared. There are a number of ways to prepare for a big job interview, but one of the best ways to simulate the actual interview process is by doing a mock interview.

Mock interviews provide candidates with an opportunity to test out their job interview skills with someone who isn't evaluating them for an actual job.

If you're a college student, mock interviews may be offered through career services for students or recent alumni. If you're already in the professional world, a mock interview could be done with a trusted colleague, professional connection, or friend. Never do a mock interview with a family member.

Here are some of the major benefits of a mock interview.

They Help Reduce Stress And Anxiety About Interviewing

If you're not sure how to answer typical job interview questions, mock interviews provide a great opportunity for you to "test drive" your answers. The person conducting the mock job interview can give you feedback on whether or not your responses are suitable.

They Help Boost Your Confidence

Whoever is conducting the mock job interview can point out your strengths and weaknesses as the interview process goes along, which gives you time to address the weaknesses and build on your strengths. By having confidence in your skills, you will perform better during the actual job interview.

They Provide Constructive Feedback In A Low-Stress Environment

One colleague help another during a mock job interview.

No one is the perfect candidate, so mock interviews help you clarify responses to certain questions and help you work on areas where you may have weaknesses. In an actual job interview, you don't usually get feedback about your interviewing abilities, so a mock interview is a perfect opportunity to find out why you may be having some difficulty in landing your dream job.

They Can Help You Prepare For Behavioral-Based Interview Questions

Women shake hands after a mock interview

Many companies use behavioral-based interview questions. If you're not familiar with this type of interviewing, it may be advantageous to give it a practice run in a mock interview.

Practice makes perfect! Even the best athletes struggle without practice, so you should never assume that you could just wing a job interview unprepared.

Take advantage of mock interviewing opportunities even if you think you're skills are at a very high level. There are things that we can all improve upon when it comes to making a great impression on a prospective employer.

While mock interviews are an important part of preparing for an actual job interview, there are many other ways to practice when you're alone. This includes writing down and answering as many potential interview questions as you can think of and practicing over and over again. When practicing alone, it also helps to visualize as much of the interview process as possible.

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This post was originally published at an earlier date.

Acquiring Job Advance Your Career Career Changing Careers and Employment Education Internship

The 4Â Amazing Benefits Of A Mock Interview

3 Most Important Things To Do In A Job Interview

A job interview can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially when you have been removed from the job market for an extended period of time. It is one thing to sell on paper with the resume and another thing to sell in person at the interview.

Regardless of whether you have been out of a job for an extended period of time, are looking to change careers, or are still employed and seeking a better opportunity, the key to conducting a job interview successfully is a result of a number of factors, and being aware of these factor plays a major role in how to prepare for an interview.

One of the more defining factors is the relationship you establish. People hire people they like. Even if one candidate is more qualified and experienced than another, without a good relationship there is a minimal chance of securing the job.

The same goes for referrals. When you are referred by an existing employee, your chances are much stronger than a candidate who applied simply as a result of finding the opportunity through a job posting.

So the question becomes this: how do you develop a strong enough relationship from a job interview to strengthen and lock in your chances at a job offer? Here are some things to keep in mind as you prepare for your job interview, and eventually go through with it.

Use Appropriate Body Language

What you don't say matters just as much as what you do say. Your body language and facial expressions inform an employer how engaged you are in the conversation and how interested you are in the opportunity. Smile, exhibit confidence, and listen carefully so you respond appropriately and build on the conversation.

Seek More Information

Woman researches the company before her job interview

Asking questions expresses to an employer that you are engaged in the conversation. Try to ask questions to probe for additional information. Research the company in your interview preparation and make a list of potential questions that you may want to ask.

In addition, while you're in the interview, instead of simply addressing what's asked of you, respond and follow up with a question of your own and turn the interview into a conversation. This expresses to the employer that you're interested in learning more.

Demonstrate You Are Up For The Challenge

Man shakes hands with the hiring manager after a job interview

There are challenges with every job. What is important to an employer is that you are up for the challenge and that you have the ability to succeed. Once again, research information as you're preparing for the interview by reviewing the company's website and social media. You will have a better understanding of what challenges or changes the company has recently been through, and how they may impact the position you are interested in.

Ask related questions during the interview to find out more. This informs an employer that you have come well-prepared for the interview. You can also take the opportunity to relay how you have experienced similar situations in past jobs and explain how you dealt with them.

The more confident and comfortable you are with yourself in the interview, the easier it will be for the employer to develop a strong rapport and relationship with you. This is not to say you sit back and relax as though you are sitting in your own living room. Instead, the point is to be open to conversation and for it to be developed with ease.

Consider a candidate sitting stiff, head down, and who is brief in response to conversation and questions asked. It makes it difficult for them as well as the employer to try to establish good rapport and a relationship. Don't let that be you!

We know how difficult it can be to feel confident in a job interview. If you're struggling to perform well in job interviews, we can help.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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