How to overcome the ,so why do you want to leave (current employer) question?

[singingpinkmonkey]

I'm currently interviewing for new jobs as I really am not enjoying my current company and I need full time hours. I've only been with my current company since March and it's a 12 month contract. I was made redundant from a job I loved prior to that and I took my current role in a panic, with hindsight.

I'm finding it tricky to answer 'so why are you wanting to leave' without sounding negative and just wondered if anyone had any suggestions?

I've tried sticking it out but I really don't like working with my manager and have been suffering with anxiety!

If you're on a 12 month contract, can't you start seriously looking around the Sept / Oct timeframe with a view to starting a new job in the new year, when you can be honest that your current contract is due to end.

What's your notice period? Presume your current employers know that an employee on a finite contract is always going to be on the lookout for a longer term rol, so they won't be surprised if you hand in your notice slightly earlier.

You're on a fixed term contract!! That shouldn't be a hard question to answer!

With any interview question, the first thing to think about is what you want them to know.

'Well, I've learned a lot from this 12-month contract, and it's really confirmed for me that the strand of work I enjoy most and do best at is [whatever the new job involves]. It's been really energising having to get the job going from scratch in a contract, but I do value a team where I can take a longer view and see results from my work over a longer period. For example, two months ago i launched project x which involved getting buy-in from seniors a, b and c and running a budget of £z, but I won't get to see the results of that. If I were appointed to this job I'd really value he chance to work on Y and to see it through... ' etc.

What Annadale said is perfect.

Use it as an opportunity to talk about why the new job (you're applying for) is a better fit and you have more enthusiasm for that than the 12month role you tried, although you're industrious enough to do your best whatever the role. Shows that you're open-minded & flexible about what you do, have also learnt skills you'll transfer back to your preferred role.

Thanks so much for the replies. There is some great advice there. It's given me a bit more confidence for my interviews this week.

I do feel bad about leaving the contract early. I just need more money and full time hours. In hindsight I shouldn't have taken this role as it was a pay cut. I just panicked about being made redundant and my confidence was low.

We live and learn!

I do feel bad about leaving the contract early.

That's why I preempted your worry by saying they'll expect you to leave, possibly sooner than the end of the 12 month contract, to get longer term work. So save your concern, it'll be fine.

"It was a good opportunity at the time but I'd really like more hours and better pay" is pretty reasonable explanation. They may pointedly ask if you'll move on as quickly from the vacancy they are offering, I suppose, be prepared with good answer for that.

I have just got a new role and they asked me at the interview why I had left. I just said that I saw the new job and liked the sound of it so much that I applied. They were fine about it.

Yes along the lines of Lovely's post you could say something like I saw the job description and it could have been written with me in mind because of a b and c which I really love the sound of and fit my skillset because of d e and f.