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!

I love the work I do but after 5 years I'm looking to take my experience to an employer who will value me and all I can bring to the role.

Next question! Good luck.

Same. I work in adult social care and can't recall being asked in a formal interview why I'm looking to leave a previous role, it's always been about what skills and experience you can bring to the role they are offering and testing your knowledge of the role.

It's more likely you will be asked to give an example of times you have managed x / y / z situation and checking you understand safeguarding / mental capacity act etc.

I can imagine private care homes do ask the kind of question you are worrying about to try and get an inkling of if you are leaving under a cloud or to get gossip about the practises of their competitors - but it's unlikely for a council role as the questions are usually picked from a preset template provided by HR

I feel I’ve learned as much as I will in current role and that a new ribbing would expose me to different challenges and give me more opportunities to progress?

I used to carry out interviews (£25k a year jobs) relatively often and we could often smell bullshit and scripted answers to this question a mile off. We much preferred at least some element of honesty. The I am after a new challenge shite was said again and again and it was painful to hear.

So do not be afraid to reference the better pay as one of the reasons at this level of work and how for a better standard of living you need to be earning more; but obviously list some other reasons too. Perhaps great company reviews online, a lovely building and environment or whatever.

For more senior positions it is never the done thing to mention the salary.