What should I give as reason for wanting to move? 7

[TigerDivision]

Hello all!

I had lately applied for a post of network administrator with a private company as I am currently not happy with the company I've been working for these past 11 years. The reasons being that I am not respected and poorly paid.

However, I do not wish to give such reasons if asked during the interview why I wish to leave my current post. The company I work for seems to have a good name with certain people and is currently expanding but unfortunately there is a very bad culture within the company brought on by the directors.

I am stuck as to what type of reason/s I should give if asked during the interview because it is never wise to give as reasons for leaving; unhappiness and/or poor salary. Any ideas anyone?

Thank you all for your help!

 

[LFCfan]

That after 11 years, you don't feel you can grow any more at the current company? That you need a new challenge? A bit cliche, but it's what I've always used- and it has been the actual reason, for the most part.

Good luck!

_~LFCfan

 

[LadySlinger]

Do you really need to give them a reason? What happens if you don't?

I would just stay as generic as possible: "I'm moving on to a new company". If they pester you for a reason why it's mainly the BS game because someone is feeling insecure and wants to play the "I'm better than you" so that they have to "inside" scoop as to why you're leaving.
I worked one place that was like that when I handed in my resignation: "Why are you leaving?" "You mean you can't give me a reason?" "Why won't you tell me?"

 

[TigerDivision]

Hello LadySlinger

Thanks for your post. As I wrote in my original posting it is during the interview that I might be asked such a question and not if I were to resign from my current post. I could sure tell them why i.e. my current employers, if they were to ask me ;-)

 

[DTSMAN]

Great thread to start. I have been doing what I do for 12 years and now I feel pigeoned-holed. I am finding it hard to get a second interview anywhere because I work with such proprietary stuff. My excuse for that question is that I have hit a ceiling and I am not learning anything new and because of this I have developed an interest in learning other aspects of IT and that ther are no other areas that my current employer can utilize me. Does this sound OK, or should I reconsider it.?
I get that question in every interview, and the biggy I also always get is, "Where do you see yourself in the next X years?" My real answer is "I dunno". What should I say?
The next big question I always get is "What are you looking to do?" Again, "I dunno, what do have for me to do? I want to do anything but what I do now." How do I explain that professionally??
Unhappy and poor salary are my motives also. I guess what I am saying is that I need the same advice as TigerDivision.

Bo

Remember,
If the women don't find you handsome,
they should at least find you handy.
(Red Green)

http://www.redgreen.com

 

[aardvark92]

Last year I left a company where I had worked for 10 years. My answer to the "Why?" question was that I had gone as far as I could at that company and needed new opportunities for growth. Depending on the position I was interviewing for, I also said my job responsibilities were too general, and I wanted to be able to focus my skills and become more of an expert at one thing rather than knowing a little bit about a lot of things.

In answer to the "Where do you see yourself?" question, I prefaced it with, "In IT it's hard to predict, since things change so fast," then gave vague answers about continuing to learn, to keep up with technologies and languages, etc.

There may be better answers than these. I had my share of difficulties with interviewing.

 

[flapeyre]

The worst thing you can do is say anything negative about your current employer. It will come back to bite you. Say to your prospective employer that you are just looking for new challenges. If your commute to work is long, and the prospect is closer to home, throw that in for good measure. There are times when silence is golden, and this is one of them.

And, should you find a better job, when you give notice, don't throw darts on the way out. Be consistant, and give the same reasons for leaving. Be on good terms with your old bosses. It will pay you in the long run.

Tibi gratias agimus quod nihil fumas.

 

[Welshbird]

Tiger, I haven't been asked recently why I want to leave a current position, but the last time that I was asked, I explained that I didn't desperately want to leave my current position, but I appreciated the new challenge and opportunities I would hope to find in the new place, and that these things would more than make up for moving jobs. I guess I was trying to turn what might have been a negative comment into a positive one.

Fee

The question should be [red]Is it worth trying to do?[/red] not [blue] Can it be done?[/blue]

 

[JCreamerII]

Tigerdivsion,

Just be positive about why you want to leave. Don't go negative about your old job or employer. Either you are looking for opportunity, mgt position, better training?? Whatever, just make it a positive about you and not a negative about your job or company. You don't have to explain to anybody why you want to leave, other than the prospective employer. There are good jobs out there, though most probably aren't. Be carefull and GL.

Jim C.

 

[Crowley16]

I've always told the truth, including both positive and negative comments about the old job, it seems to work for me...

--------------------
Procrastinate Now!

 

[LadySlinger]

Sorry TigerDivision!
*places paper bag over head*

 

[JCreamerII]

Tigerdivision,

Getting negative about any former employer is generally going to come out as a negative for you. There may be a situation where it may have a purpose, but most people on the other side of the table will take it as sour grapes and hold it against you. It looks like your leaving because you can't play nice with your friends. Just be careful about what & how you broach any negative topics from your old employers. Being truthful is a good thing in the abstract, but in an interview it comes down to, how will they interpret your comments.

Jim C.

 

[AndrewTait]

I have just recently been for an interview, and had this very question. My answer: I am not actively looking to move, but this position was pointed out to me, and the prospect of working for {insert co. name here} and working with {Insert technology here} seemed too good an oppurtunity to miss out on.

Shows your prospective employer, that you are not just jumping ship, and that you are not necessarily unhappy. (Remember, if you are currently unhappy in your work, it can take a bit of time to become more focused, prospective employers dont always like that!)

It also shows that you are interested in the company who are interviewing you, particularly if you throw in some comments on why it would be good work for them, and also shows that you have taken an interest in the technology they are using.

=======================================
You may think if it isn't broke, don't fix it. Engineers think that if it isn't broke, it doesn't have enough features yet!
======================================

 

[tfg13]

Excellent comments, AndrewTait!

 

[stubnski]

AndrewTait is right. I've started a new job this week and I used the same responses that AndrewTait gave when asked the tough questions in my interview. Remember enthusiasm about a job or technology goes a long way with interviewers.


Stubnski

 

[MeGustaXL]

Star for AndrewTait! I also have a long commute, so if the prospective company is closer to home, I'd play the "Better work/life balance" card.

It won't hurt to research the prospective company so that you can throw in a reference to their latest product or project, along with how your unique talent can help them achieve their goal(s)

Chris

Don't count the days, make the days count

Muhammad Ali

 

[regcw]

How about

"It's simply time to move on"...

and if they start to pester you...

Try "NOYFB

 

[LARiot]

If you can't say something nice, say something vague.

It's time to move on.

If they want more details, which they usually won't...

I've been there 11 years and I've learned all I can.
I need to grow.

Just the fact that you've been with one company for that long is impressive enough.

If they really, really want to know exactly why. Then tell them you feel you're worth more.

We live in a free market society. Some buyers, who have a greater need for our services, can and are willing to pay more for it.

-Neema

 

[KornGeek]

How should you respond to the question if you were fired from your last job?

 

[stubnski]

KornGeek -
Was the reason you were fired a really bad reason ie. not showing up on time, sleeping on the job, beat up your boss .
Getting fired is never a good thing but telling the truth is usually the best way to go. If you don't want to go that way say you had family trouble that interfered with your work life.

Stubnski