When you are asked reason for leaving, what do you write?

[deeej]

I'm filling in a job application and this is one of the questions, which I expected.

I'm unsure how best to answer this.

It's not career progression as I'd actually be taking a pay cut in the new role.

It's really just that I don't enjoy my current job and feel that I need a change. Is writing that I need a new challenge too much of a cliche? This new new role is one where I'd actually feel I was helping people, unlike the role I'm in now.

It's a long time since I applied for another role, so any advice is appreciated.

Write something along the lines of wanting to develop your front-line skills/being able to see how your work is helping people/getting more variety in your work. Remember also that a sideways step like this may not be direct progression, but may well lay the groundwork for future promotion.

You could say something about the reasons the new job aligns more with your sense of purpose and personal values.

Maybe something like, 'job satisfaction?'

I was in a similar position, and taking a big pay cut. I wrote a covering letter explaining my decision. Apparently that covering letter convinced them to interview me. I don't think they would have otherwise. I spoke about why I was driven to something with a purpose rather than just the bottom line, and once I joined I realised quite a few others had also made the same jump, so understood it.

Good luck!

Normally I see this question in relation to previous job moves, rather than about leaving your current job, and I think by and large they want to understand whether you were sacked, made redundant or left for another role of your own volition. I’ve never been asked to give chapter and verse on my thinking behind a move. I normally just say career progression- and progression doesn’t just mean being paid more, it can cover sideways moves too.

Though if you are being asked about more detail behind the reason you want to leave your current role just say something truthful about wanting to do something more frontline / aligned to your values / more personally rewarding - all decent answers.

Just write 'Seeking new opportunities'.

I'd go for something vague like 'career development'

Thank you! Good point re this question being asked in regard to previous roles, not my current one.

Great pointers, about values, reward, etc though, and I will use those in my personal statement instead.

The application requires that I put in my last two employers as references.

I'm unable to do this as I've worked at my current employers for 16 years and the one before that is no longer trading.

So I've added current manger, but can only provide a mobile number for my last line manager who also worked at my current organisation, but he is retired. The form insists on a work email.

Help!