“Reason for leaving”

[ArdoCycle]

Real reason - my boss is difficult to work with, my request for flexible working has technically been approved, but it has been made clear it won’t be honoured in reality, I am being (drastically) underpaid, and my request for a pay review has been denied due to “the pandemic”.

Application reason? How do people answer this honestly, but in a way that doesn’t make you seem like you’re the problem?

I am desperate for a new job.

"Looking to develop my ... skills" insert thing new company does better.

Seeking progression
Job closer to home
Doesn't matter really as long as its a growth/positive rather than a negative.

Career progression, new challenge.

You can turn the negatives about your current position into positives about your new one, without directly criticising your current team. You are excited to work with [new employer] and are particularly keen on their working relationships model. You are moving for an enhanced package that competitively reflects the role you will be undertaking. And your personal situation has evolved and the new employer has a track record of whatever flexible working pattern you want, that meets your needs.

None of that is disparaging your current employer, but it does give the HR team the tools they need to recruit and retain good staff, by reflecting the reality of what staff are looking for. If they choose to they can draw their own conclusion that these things are not on offer to you if you stay, and if they choose to they can do something about that for the person who follows you. But you are being carefully honest without burning any bridges for yourself.

I would just emphasis the positives in the new role - 'I'm looking for a job/company that offers more [things new role offers]'.

Will you be staying in the same industry? Are you looking for an identical role or one that is a slight step up?

Any answer you give should be about wanting to progress your career or in relation to the positives of the new role, not anything bad about the current one.

I sympathise with you OP - I was made redundant last year after 10 years with a company and it ended very sourly, it took a lot of strength and self-control to stop what had happened seeping through into interviews etc. I had to make sure to be very careful about what I said so that I didn’t come across as holding a grudge, even though I definitely was!

There's not need to give any elaborate justification for looking for a new job. Provided you aren't leaving because of gross misconduct any other reason is your own business. I've honestly never been asked why I'm leaving my current employer, not that I've made that many job moves, but anyway.

They are far more interested in why you want their vacancy, so prepare a strong justification for that and keep it brief. Focus on why your skills are a perfect match to the new role.

They are far more interested in why you want their vacancy, so prepare a strong justification for that and keep it brief. Focus on why your skills are a perfect match to the new role.

Excellent advice to concentrate on the future and the positives and to gloss over any negatives in your current post.

When I was 16 and had my first interview (civil service) I asked my grandmother for advice. She replied that they would be bound to ask me what sports I enjoyed. I confessed to hating sport, but she warned me not to say that. They wanted to know I was competitive but could also work in a team. There were other competitions in school that I did enjoy, such as music and drama. On her advice I told them what sports I played, and then quickly related how much I enjoyed all the competitions and was proud to represent my house. You can "talk around" a subject such that you tell no overt lies but do not reveal anything that is to your detriment.