Reasons for leaving: be prepared

Written by Dominic Moore

‘Why are you looking for a new opportunity?’ is a question you will probably get asked a lot during your working life. 

In my world, and I reckon in the world of anyone looking to hire, this is a question you need to know your answer to before the question is asked.  So below are the standard responses we hear, together with the typical associated probing questions once a reason is given.

Why is it important to frame your response correctly I hear you ask?  The simple truth is, if you get it wrong and create doubt then the person you are dealing with may well move onto the next applicant and that career-defining opportunity might just slip through your fingers...

Situation: Made Redundant. 

Probing questions: Why did they single you out?  How many of you were let go? Were you in the first wave?

Example answer: I was one of 20 people let go as part of the merger integration of two companies. I was happy to take the opportunity to take some time out at home before embarking on my next challenge, which I am now focused on finding.

Situation: Change of Location. 

Probing questions: Why are you moving to the new location?  Have you visited the location? When will you be in the new location? Do you have the right to work in the location?

Answers: My partner has secured a new role in Melbourne, we arrive there on July the 1st. I will be a defacto visa holder so am able to work without restriction.

Situation: More money. 

Probing questions: Why is your current salary not right?  Have you asked for a pay rise in your current setting? What mix of remuneration are you looking for?  Will you load your next package with more ‘at risk’ next time?

Answers: My current salary has been linked to CPI for 3 years now so has not moved much. Given I have taken on more tasks, and delivered some significant value-creation projects, I want to take a step up opportunity with a salary that matches. I am looking for $200k + Super as a minimum.

Situation: I want equity. 

Probing questions: Why does having skin in the game change things for you?  How much are you looking for and how much will you trade this off versus guaranteed salary?  Why not launch your own business?

 Answers: I want to demonstrate the value I bring to a company and align these with the success of that business - I see equity as the best way to do this. I am entrepreneurial and driven to succeed but not an entrepreneur. I am currently on $200k + Super and would drop to $150k + Super if equity is available.

Situation: Better balance. 

Probing questions: What is wrong with your current work-life balance?  What does balance look like to you? Do you travel too much? Don’t you want to work hard anymore?  

Answers:  I travel every week for work and this is too much given I have done this now for 5 years. When you add this on top of the 50+ hours a week at work this is no longer sustainable. I am happy, of course, to put in the hours and travel necessary to be successful in a role but not at the current level.

Situation: People/Culture. 

Probing questions: What is wrong with your current culture?  What sort of people are you looking to work with next? Why are these people not present in your current setting?  How will you know what the right culture looks like? Are you a change agent, or do you expect others to change things?

 Answers: I find my current setting a bit frustrating as I am used to working with passionate and driven individuals. I would love to find a setting where everyone is on the same page and heading in the same direction, aligned by a common goal to be a market leader.

Situation: Want to change sector. 

Probing questions: Why do you want to change sectors?  What experience do you have of the new sector? What transferable skills do you have that will make you rapidly successful in the new sector?  Why are you moving away from a sector you know well?

 Answers: I want to move to a growing sector as my current industry is challenged given market dynamics. My B2C experience gained in my current setting means the gap is not that big and, having worked on multiple industries whilst in consulting, I have proven the ability to be successful in different settings previously.

 Situation: Better role/title. 

Probing questions: What is it you are looking for in your new role that is not present in your current role?  What title are you after and what does this represent to you? Why is title important to being successful in a role?

Answers: I want to step up to a GM level role as this pulls together all of my skills gained to date across people and subject matter leadership. My current company is not large enough to have a role like this so I need to move elsewhere to find this role.

Situation: Looking for a fast-growing company. 

Probing questions: What opportunities do you think fast-growth presents?  What are the downsides to a fast growing setting?

Answers: I want to work for an organisation that is dealing with complex problems on a regular basis - my current company does deal with problems but these are becoming predictable and are less material than I would like. I see the best scenario for this being a fast-growing company, where no two days will be the same and my ability to focus on key priorities will be key strengths.