What to say in an interview on why you’re looking elsewhere?

[WhoSaidWhat123]

Hi, I have an interview on Tuesday for an role that is pretty identical to the one I’m in now BUT I know the new place pays way better, what do I say if / when they ask why I want to leave my current job?

It’s working nights in a care home, but the local council owns the home so it pays well, pays fair to be honest considering the work! So it pays £2.50 extra per hour, AND they pay sick pay (current place doesn’t which is a joke! Especially when you should keep away when sick!). And the pension is decent too.

What would you say was your reason for leaving? Obviously don’t want to say it’s because of the money! And you don’t want to slate somewhere otherwise it looks bad on my character! But I just know they’re going to ask and I need to make it sound good!

Are the role titles exactly the same? Can you say you are ready for a more senior/challenging role?

Opportunity for more progression

Time to move on

Personal development opportunity

bar the money is there any other reason why you want to move? What’s the opportunity on offer?

Yes exactly the same 😬 it’s not an easy one is it! I think this will be the question that makes it or breaks it for me, because I have the experience and the qualifications, but I don’t want to sound like an awful person leaving somewhere just for the extra money!

Prefer a not for profit employer

Just because it's care work, it doesn't mean you have to do it entirely for altruistic reasons! It's perfectly ok to say that you're looking to move to a better paid role

Looking to move to the public sector for better working conditions

I like @RandomMess answer.
Also you can say you’ve heard that both the progression and the way both residents and staff are treated is better in council run nursing homes and that this is important to you. Because that’s why you are in this kind of role in the first place.

I agree with @R41nb0wR0se and this is exactly what I would say if asked this question. No harm in being honest

Need a new challenge

Personal development

you would like to stay in a position long term so the pension is very attractive amd shows yhe company is invested in their employers

I want to leave where I am now because the night staff are treated quite poorly there considering our work load. Only 2 of us on shift, caring for 18 residents. Meant to be residential home but there is a lot of residents with dementia so we’re pretty much running around up 3 flights of stairs on and off through the night trying to juggle everyone. And we only get 40p extra per hour compared to day staff, and there’s usually 7 of them on shift.

Otherwise I like the staff there, get on with everyone, even get on so well with the residents. I’ve been there for 5 years. BUT I just think it’s not on that our workload is so heavy, and no supervisor or manager on shift to deal with any complications so it’s all on us, for so little pay compared to the day staff. And the fact they don’t pay sick pay is a joke. I don’t often go off sick, even when working somewhere that paid, but if we’re ill we have to stay away, but don’t get paid for it!

But I can’t use this can I! I will have to find a reason of why I want to work in the new place. Maybe say I’ve heard so many good things about the home from staff and resident’s families? But if they ask me who, I don’t actually know anyone!

Great ideas everyone, thanks!

My Grandmother was cared for by the home care team of the Council so I could also try and bring this in? But that I choose night work (rather than trying for a support job), because it works well for my family.

Classic response would be "I'm looking for a fresh challenge". after 5 years it would seem perfectly acceptable

You can talk about how you have heard they have a good reputation for how they treat their staff and residents for instance?

It's not unreasonable to cite the better pay too.

And don't worry, people know there can be all kinds of reasons for leaving jobs that you aren't going to go into at interview

This

I would keep your response as brief and high level as possible, and only if they ask the question. "I'm seeking new opportunities and experience" then leave it at that. They only really care insofar as you're available to fill their vacancy. Anything else is pure noseyness on their part (and a bit of an interview 'red flag')

Anyone interviewing someone for their vacancy will know that the candidate isn't leaving their current job if they're happy with the pay, conditions and work content. So if they ask why you're leaving they're asking a question that is quite exposing and puts the candidate in an awkward position where they somehow have to dance around the fact they don't like where they are. Nowadays that's quite a clueless thing to do.

they may not even ask it!

This, you enjoy the role and want to continue but the move would help you plan for your future better. It’s easy and quick. Concentrate on what you are good at.

You want a new challenge, a new environment, experience working with different people.

I'm not in care work but I do work for a council and have worked for other councils, and this question would not be allowed. Questions must reflect the person spec and this doesn't.

Prefer the security and stability of a local authority employer

Mention you started considering the move after your grandma received great care from a council-run home and you wanted to see if this could act as a great development experience for you. Then be honest and add what sealed it was you seeing that they also offer better employee conditions which enable you to support your family.

Question - are you going to come up against a lot of competition? Are there loads of people wanting to work nights?

Also just to add, my experience has shown that if you seem like the right person they are looking for, they don’t care why you want the job. I got my current job because i was being made redundant, not because i actively wanted to work for that new company or that role. They still gave it to me because i aced my task and interview.

I read that the way to answer this is really to focus on something the employer would want. So if you said something like "I would like to work for a public sector employer as I hope to be in this career long term and think my values would align really well. I am looking for long term job security as I want to be able to commit to an organisation."

I would talk about respecting the ethos of this service and the dignity shown to patients which is very important to you.

• want to work for a non-profit as it better fits your values
• want more opportunity for progression and somewhere where you can have a long term career.