Here's how you can skillfully respond to "Why did you leave your previous job.

If an interviewer asks why you left a previous position, or are looking to leave your current one, it's important to be honest. However, make sure your honest answer remains professional. You may have strong feelings about the circumstances of your departure - and those feelings may be completely justified. But you want to be at your best in the interview, and criticising your boss, colleagues, or employer will not make a good first impression. Put your frustrations to one side, and focus positively on your experience and aspirations.

Honesty is paramount, but it's crucial to maintain a professional tone. Rather than dwelling on negative aspects, focus on the facts and what you learned from the experience. If you were let go, briefly explain the situation and highlight how it contributed to your professional growth.

Skillfully responding to "Why did you leave your previous job?" involves honesty, positivity, and a forward-looking perspective. Begin by framing your departure in a positive light, focusing on your career goals and the pursuit of new opportunities that align better with your aspirations. If the departure was due to structural changes, such as layoffs or company restructuring, briefly mention this without dwelling on negative aspects. Emphasize what you learned from your previous role and how those experiences have prepared you for the position you’re interviewing for. Highlight your enthusiasm for growth and the specific reasons the new role excites you, ensuring the interviewer sees you as motivated and proactive.

While answering with honesty, it is important to be respectful and pay attention to the selection of words. For example, if the reason to leave the job was a poor boss, begin with a statement like; "While I greatly respected my direct manager's expertise, however our working styles and communication approaches differed in ways that made it difficult for me to feel fully engaged and empowered at times." Then end with statement that shows your gratitude for your previous organization like; “I'm grateful for the opportunities and lessons learned in that role.” And mention how the new organization aligns with your values.

When asked about why you left your previous job, maintaining a positive attitude is key to leaving a lasting impression on your interviewer. Regardless of the circumstances, maintain a positive demeanor. Talk about the valuable insights, skills, or experiences you gained from your previous role. Emphasize how these have prepared you for the next stage in your career journey.

When discussing why you left your previous job in an interview, focus on the future. Articulate your career aspirations and how they align with the new role or organization. Highlight your eagerness to contribute to the company's success by leveraging your skills and experiences to achieve its objectives. Emphasize your enthusiasm for professional growth within the new environment, showcasing your willingness to learn, take on challenges, and expand your skill set. By conveying alignment between your goals and the opportunities presented by the prospective employer, you demonstrate a proactive mindset and commitment to making a meaningful impact.

As a Recruiter, I cringe when I ask this question and receive a negative response from a job candidate because it can often raise red flags for the hiring manager. The best approach is to focus on positive reasons for pursuing a new opportunity that include how previous experiences have prepared you well and how you are looking for the next step in your professional growth/career. Recruiters appreciate candidates that can demonstrate optimism.

When leaving a company "for professional growth", always reflect on what you have learnt while working there, and what you want to learn that would not be possible if you stay. Align your professional goals with the role you are applying for and ensure you are committed to that role before accepting it. Hiring managers look for a candidate who can offer the company as much as the company can offer them.

There are ways to talk about a negative (even horrific) job experience without sounding sour. You can discuss what you learnt, how you would want to see future roles and how your values align with the company and role you are interviewing for. If you had a colleague who was dishonest you can say 'It helped me recognise how much I value honesty and how much trust I place in my team members'. If you are prone to be negative, just say it wasn't a good fit.

Job changes are such a personal thing and we have all had them. Keep that in mind and demonstrate what you have learned about yourself and your career in each role. For instance, "In my current job, I have had the opportunity to expand my knowledge of data, reporting and analytics. What I learned about myself is that I am more interested in using those insights to tell stories, share information and disseminate in a way that makes an impact, which is why I am targeting roles where I can do more of that in my search."

Be accountable for your own choices to leave a place of employment. For whatever reason you have, make sure that you don't speak negatively about the company or your past employers. Those same people may be asked for a reference on your work so never "burn your bridges".

You're running towards something, not running away. This is what hiring managers are listening for. I get that previous employers do messed up stuff or there's been messed up situations but during the interview isn't the time for a candidate to share that. I'm not saying don't ever talk about it, I'm asking you to think about what you expect to happen by bringing that up during an interview and making a decision. Talk about why you're excited for this new role Talk about how it fits into your career journey Don't put a previous employer down Don't put a previous job down Don't give the interviewer the opportunity to classify you as a complainer Keep it positive. You're running towards the right opportunity. Focus on the future.

There's always an interesting story to be told, find it and own in with a positive focus that highlights what you learned, how you grew and what you're looking for next.