Why are you looking for a job change?

" Why are you looking for a job change? " – if you are a job seeker, this would be one of the most familiar Interview question asked from first round to the final round, in Interviews.

And there is a non-harmful response from most of the candidates – " looking for career growth. "

I remember, when I was taking interviews, I got the above response from a candidate, who just mentioned excellent job responsibility in their current role. Obviously my next question is – then what career growth are you looking for?

There they are caught!

Before you answer this question in a job interview, I would urge you to ask this to yourself.

Sit and ponder a while on

‘Why’ do you need a job change?

Is it because

1.?????? I want to improve my finance

2.?????? I want a different domain

3.?????? I want to grow to next job roles

4.?????? Work environment

5.?????? Work load and work pressure

6.?????? All my friends changed job, so I want it too

7.?????? Its not good to stick on to a company more than 2 years

You have your own reason for your thought to change job. But, if you are in mid-career stage (where your experience is above 7-8 yrs), think well, before you take your decision to change.

When professionals connect with me for Career Development Coaching, for this question I get responses like, " I want to earn maximum money now and retire in few years. "

Well, that’s a good idea to plan your future. But, until that ‘few years’ are you gonna waste your life, working on something you don't like, just for the money?

How much ever increase you get in the next job switch, do you think you can survive just in terms of money, in the job?

This is a very profound question to ask yourself. Because, once you make a move just focusing on finance, and take up a role you don't like to perform from heart, within days you start to feel the pain. You cant hop companies within days of joining. May be it will work once, but not always. That, is not the solution.

The answer lies in You.

Even if your finance is a pain on neck now, ask this question in first place - What is Your interest?

Then decide the expected package.

I personally have experience where I switched job for financial growth. But, then I carefully look at the roles and responsibilities in the job description, before apply. You can try challenging roles, but only if you are ready to Do it With Interest.

And, try to be authentic as much possible in interviews.

You can mention the real reason for change. If it is some issues in the workplace, you can explain the specific scenario and the actions you took, to try solving it. This increases your credibility and proves your problem solving skills. You can also mention the possibilities of getting that resolved, why it did not happen and your thoughts on the same.

Do not always go with ‘Interview question answers' you searched in net. Try to add your personal touch while answering these kind of questions specifically, that makes an impression in the interviewer. Impressions results in outcome!

Plan your ‘Why’ and be ‘Authentic’ !