What to say as reason for leaving

[Rosewood86]

I've only been in my current job 6 months. However, since I was taken on, the company has lost out on some major contracts that they were relying on. As a result they are barely making any money at present. It's a small business and the owners update regularly that cashflow is extremely tight.

They haven't said (yet) that anyone is at threat of redundancy, but as the "last one in" I feel extremely vulnerable.

I have started applying for other jobs, but I'm not sure what to say when they ask my reasons for leaving my current role. The fact my current employer is in a bad financial position is surely confidential and not to be shared outside the business?

There are also some other issues relating to culture fit, plus the main reason I took the role was that they promised loads of training and funding for qualifications that would really help my career, however they now don't have any budget for that so it's not going to happen any time soon, even if my job stays.

What should I give as my reason for leaving? Be honest that I'm nervous about possible redundancy? Or say it's due to culture fit? (I'm a bit reluctant to say that as it could be taken as a fault with me).

Frame it as why you want to go to the new place, not what you don’t like about the old place. So “looking for opportunities to train and widen my skill set” rather than “they didn’t offer me the training I needed”.

Career development, says it all really. After all you've no career without a job

Agree with PP about making it a positive about why the new job caught your eye, career progression, more varied opportunities, how much more it could offer you in training and development etc etc.
Don't mention negatives about current job

And when handing in your notice you don’t need to give a reason.

Just that you’re leaving in x date

just more challenges required

Definitely this. Isn't a lie but a representation of the truth in a different light! Far easier to discuss in interview when things are true.

Thank you that's all good advice. To be honest though, I've ended up doing plenty of challenging stuff in the current role that's been really good experience that I'm wanting to take forward into any new role.
This is another issue with the current job as the job title and pay are far more junior than what I'm actually doing. The employer is aware of this but due to their cashflow issues, they've said they can't afford to give me a pay rise, and they don't want to change my job title until they are in a position to raise my pay as well.
But I will have a think as to how I can word it in a positive way :)