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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To need some good reasons for telling a potential employer why I want to leave current job?

19 replies

Havenamechangedforthisthread · 23/01/2018 21:29

I decided I needed a new challenge just over a year ago, so I applied for and got a new job. I was recruited to deliver a couple of specific projects, which I did, extremely successfully, much more so than even I envisaged. However, I’ve never been happy there and have an interview lined up for somewhere else which sounds a much better fit.

My issue is what to say when asked why I’m leaving the current job so soon. Obviously, I need good references, but I need to move for my stress levels. What can I say about why I’m leaving a good place of employment for a not quite so good one?

Sorry for the lack of detail, it would be very outing to mentithe job role.

OP posts:

PoorYorick · 23/01/2018 21:31

You don't need to give any reasons, you just need to give notice. Just say something along the lines of, "Please accept this as my written notice to resign my post of XXX. Thank you for the opportunities I have had here and I wish you all the best in the future."

Anyway, a year in a job isn't that short a time. Plenty of time to work out if it's right for you or not.

Fluffyears · 23/01/2018 21:31

No room to progress and it’s time to move to allow you to develop as you have taken current tile as far as you can.

Fluffyears · 23/01/2018 21:32

@poor I think shemrBdat interview to the potential employer who may ask ‘why do you want to leave your current role?’ I’ve been asked in every single interview.

FuzzyCustard · 23/01/2018 21:35

Something along the lines of "career progression isn't what I had hoped", or one I have used "I don't especially, until I saw this opportunity come up"

BikeRunSki · 23/01/2018 21:36

PoorYorick it’s readins to givebyhr new employer about why she wants to move.

I’d tell them what you said in your first paragraph OP. You wanted a new challenge, you delivered some specific projects, and now you’ve seen this role and it feels like a really good long term fit.

PaperdollCartoon · 23/01/2018 21:37

Why do you think the new job is a better fit? (I’m a headhunter, I ask people why they want to leave their current job literally every day)

Sunshinegirl82 · 23/01/2018 21:37

You were taken on to complete a couple of specific projects which you've now successfully finished. I'd say that's pretty much your reason there. Projects completed do time to move on. i reckon that sounds pretty convincing and has the added bonus of being true!

After that I'd focus on the reasons you want the new job as much as possible. Good luck.

DropZoneOne · 23/01/2018 21:37

Say what you've said here, more or less. You felt you needed a new challenge so you made the move to X company. Whilst the new projects you successfully delivered offered the challenge you were seeking, you have found that the company culture doesn't suit you personally and you want to work for a company where you know you will be motivated on a day-to-day basis. You believe that Y company will be right for you because of a, b, c reasons.

I had something similar years ago. Made a move from a small company to a big company to gain experience. Knew within months that it wasn't for me. Stuck it out for a year so the experience didn't look too awful on my CV. In interview, explained that the big company environment didn't suit me, I preferred being in a smaller environment where I could get stuck in with lots of different things, where my rle wasn't limited to what was on the job description.

Tipsntoes · 23/01/2018 21:38

At my last one, when I hadn't been in my existing job long, I said something about how I hadn't expected to leave so soon, but that their job was so exciting I couldn't let the opportunity go. I got the job!

Original poster

Havenamechangedforthisthread · 23/01/2018 21:40

I don't especially, until I saw this opportunity come up"

you delivered some specific projects, and now you’ve seen this role and it feels like a really good long term fit.

I really like both of these! I can’t use career progression, it’s a sideways move, hence why I think they’ll want to investigate my reasons for leaving.

OP posts:

PoorYorick · 23/01/2018 21:42

Oh yeah, I misread it. Sorry.

FluffyWuffy100 · 23/01/2018 21:44

Exit interviews are confidential tho. They don’t impact your references. So if you have a proper exit interview just be honest and professional.

Allthewaves · 23/01/2018 21:51

reevaluating work/life balance?

Original poster

Havenamechangedforthisthread · 23/01/2018 21:56

Why do you think the new job is a better fit? (I’m a headhunter, I ask people why they want to leave their current job literally every day)

Brutally, I hate the management. They like to take credit for everything that happens, so the crazy amount of hours/work I put in over the last year has never been acknowledged. I don’t want a medal, but a nod in my direction would do. It’s a very staid boring environment in which to work. I don’t want to waste time socialising whilst at work, but equally I don’t want to feel like I can’t speak to other people. There’s a definite ‘if your face fits’ feel. Mine doesn’t.

OP posts:

Original poster

Havenamechangedforthisthread · 23/01/2018 22:02

Whilst the new projects you successfully delivered offered the challenge you were seeking, you have found that the company culture doesn't suit you personally and you want to work for a company where you know you will be motivated on a day-to-day basis. You believe that Y company will be right for you because of a, b, c reasons.

See, I love this, but I’m not sure the new place will want to hear that the culture doesn’t suit me. Won’t that make me sound like I’m an awkward cow? I really am not, but it might come across that way!

I said something about how I hadn't expected to leave so soon, but that their job was so exciting I couldn't let the opportunity go. I got the job!

This is true! They’re in the same position my current company was when I arrived, so what I have done here has obviously appealed. I can deliver similar success, hopefully.

I really appreciate you all taking the time to help out with this question. :)

OP posts:

user1471426142 · 23/01/2018 22:47

Just be a bit careful about the ‘i didn’t until I saw this job’ response. I think it might be a bit marmite as I’d hate that as an interviewer unless it was clearly an amazing company/promotion or if the job was special or unique. I’d rather have an answer that was reflective about career progression, organisational culture etc and why the new place would be different.

jay55 · 23/01/2018 22:49

Just be positive, you’re coming to the end of some projects and are ready for a fresh challenge.

Angie169 · 23/01/2018 23:04

I am in the process of interviewing people for two different jobs , it annoys me when people say things like I was bored, hated so and so , not enough pay / holidays.
Try to be positive , I am good at . . . . . . . . and think this aspect of my training / expearance could be put to use in your company by doing . . . . . . .

Above all do your research into the company you want to work for , google is fine to start with but try digging a bit deeper , do you agree with their ethics? make sure your fact are correct, I had one guy a few weeks ago listing all the practice and time served on building sites, I was recruiting for I.T company with a similar name it was a waste of both of our times

PandaPieForTea · 23/01/2018 23:33

If you consider the motivation of the interviewers in asking this question it can help to tailor your answer.

When I’ve interviewed people I would ask this:

If you’ve jumped about a lot or stayed only a short length of time your last role - I’d be concerned that you wouldn’t stay long in my team because you weren’t someone who sticks at things. I’d also be concerned that there is something missing from your current role and unless I could offer that to you then it wouldn’t make much sense to employ you.

If you’ve been there forever - I’d be curious about why you were moving now and would be aware that I might have to sell a bit harder to get you to make the jump.

In your case I’d feel reassured that you stuck through the projects you started to the end and that you are looking for a long term fit. If you have stayed in other roles for longer then I’d be more relaxed than if you’re a serial quitter.

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