The Best Answers to “Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?”

Whether you’re looking for a part-time, full-time, permanent, or temporary role in a factory or warehouse, you will likely have to go through an interview process of some kind. Many employers and staffing agencies want to know why you’re looking for a new job and why you left your previous one. This can be a difficult question to answer honestly, especially if you left your last position on negative terms. In this blog post, we share the best answers to “Why did you leave your last job” and show you how to turn a negative experience into a positive one that will land you a new job.

Why your previous employment matters

You may be wondering why a factory or warehouse company will want to know why a candidate is no longer working at their old job. Often, employers and staffing agencies ask this question to get to know more about the character of the candidate. They want to know whether the candidate is polite, loyal, and dedicated. They may also be trying to fish for any red flags the candidate may show. For example, if the candidate says he left his last job because he got into many arguments with his co-workers, the new company may not want to hire him because of how poorly he gets along with others.

Often, people leave their old jobs because they no longer serve their needs or their goals. This is a perfectly good reason to leave and no new employer will fault them for that. However, if you’ve left your job for a negative reason, such as being fired, then how you phrase your answer to the new company is important. You want to be honest while still being tactful and respectful.

The best answers to “Why did you leave your last job?”

Here are a few common scenarios with specific answers you can use in your next job interview.

• If you have a lack of advancement opportunities: I felt that I had learned everything I could from that position, and there were no further advancement opportunities left at the company. I am ready to take my career to the next level.

• If you had to leave because of family responsibilities: I greatly enjoyed my time at my previous job and I felt that I contributed a lot to my role. However, I wanted to give my full focus to my family for a few years. Now I am ready to jump back into the workforce and use my skillset.

• If you didn’t get along with the people at the company: I didn’t find the work environment was productive, and I felt that I could not succeed there. I am looking for a new job where I can better utilize my skills.

• If you were fired: Unfortunately, I was let go. The job and the company weren’t the right for me, and my manager and I both agreed it was time for me to move on. I am excited about my next challenge.

• If you were laid off: My position was eliminated and so I lost my job. I am grateful for my time at the company but I am ready for the next role.

• If you had trouble commuting to the job: The last company I worked at was located quite far from my home and commuting there was a challenge. I am hoping to find a job closer to home so that I can spend more time working rather than sitting in traffic.

• If you weren’t making enough money: I have a lot of financial responsibilities and am looking for a role that can help me earn at the level I aspire to be. My last position no longer met my financial needs.

Tips for answering tough questions about your previous employment

Whether it’s the question about why you left or something else to do with your last job, follow these strategies to give the type of answers your interviewer is looking for:

• Never lie. It can be tempting to fudge the truth a little bit, especially about a negative situation. However, it’s likely the lie will catch up to you, especially if the new employer speaks with someone at the old company. Always be truthful in your responses.

• Don’t get too detailed. All you have to do is stick to the facts. You don’t need to get into a lot of detail in the answer because that can lead to additional questions you may not want to talk about. Just keep it surface level and provide a basic response to the difficult questions. If the interviewer needs more information, they will follow up.

• Add a positive spin. Never talk about your previous employer in a negative light because your new employer may think you would do the same to them. Speak with a positive attitude and focus on what you’re excited about for your next role.

• Show confidence. It’s normal for people to leave jobs for better ones, so you’re not alone. No matter why you’re no longer at your previous employer, speak with confidence and be proud of your decision to take on a new challenge.

Let Noble Human Resources help you land the role you want

Does interviewing for a new factory or warehouse job stress you out? Whether you don’t want to answer difficult questions about why you’re no longer at your last job or you have anxiety around interviewing, we can help you find the job you need. Noble Human Resources Solutions works with may employers in the Mississauga and GTA area and can place you in part-time, full-time, permanent, or temporary roles. Just get in touch with us by filling out this short Job Seeker Form, and we’ll have a quick and informal chat about your career goals. No scary questions, and no pressure. Then once we know what kind of job you’re looking for, we’ll partner you with the right employer.