The Inevitable Job Interview Question: “Why Did You Leave (Are Planning To Leave) Your Last Position?” and How to Deal With It.

 by: Carole Martin

This is a question that you can almost count on being asked at your next interview What the interviewer wants to know is, “Why are you available?”

The answer you give could set the tone for the rest of the interview. For instance, if you were to indicate that you were bored or burned out at your last job, the interviewer would quickly become concerned about your performance at this company. The question can be especially tricky if you’ve had less than favorable conditions regarding your departure from a company. Regardless of the circumstances that have caused you to move, or are causing you to think about moving, you should be prepared to answer this question.

Below are examples of possible answers to this critical question. After reading them try to determine which is the strongest answer.

(A) The company had a re-organization, and my department was eliminated. The work had begun to dwindle so it was not a complete surprise. I liked my job and the people I was working with so I had been hoping that it wouldn’t affect us but unfortunately we were all let go. I would like to find a job similar to the one I lost.

(B) I am looking for a new challenge. I have been with my current company for two years now and don’t find the work as interesting as I once did. I am looking for a company where I can take on new challenges and grow. My current job is dead-ended for me.

(C) Since there are no advancement opportunities within the company, I have decided it would be a good time for me to look outside. I have set some career goals for myself that I could not achieve at that company. What I am looking for is a job with a bigger company where I can contribute, but also move on a career path that has more responsibility.

Have you selected the strongest answer? See if you agree with the advice below.

The Strongest Answer

(A) This is the strongest answer, not because of the lay off, but because it has an upbeat tone to it. You liked what you did and were hoping it wouldn’t happen. In other words, if it hadn’t been for something out of your control you would still be there. The answer indicates a good attitude about an unfortunate incident.

The Mediocre Answer

(C) This is an ok answer. It is natural to want to take on more responsibility. It is also acceptable to quit a job. A skilled interviewer would follow up with a question about your career goals and why you think you can achieve them at this company. Would you have an answer prepared for that follow-up question?

The Weakest Answer

(B) This is the weaker answer because it is trite. One of the most common answers to this question is that you are “looking for a challenge.” An interviewer might be concerned that if you were bored at your last job, you might find this job boring as well, or at least not “challenging” enough.

There are no “right” or “wrong” answers to this type of question, but there are ways of saying the same thing in a way that will make a stronger impression. Before you head out to your next interview consider preparing for this and other difficult questions. A little time spent preparing and scripting of your answers before the interview will make a huge difference in the way you answer the question during the interview. (Excerpts taken from “Boost Your Interview IQ” – Carole Martin – McGraw-Hill 2004)

About The Author

Carole Martin is a celebrated author, trainer, and an interview coach. Her books, ‘Interview Fitness Training Workbook’ and ‘Boost Your Interview IQ’ (McGraw Hill) have sold thousands of copies world-wide. Receive Carole’s FREE job interview tips by visiting her web site at: http://www.interviewcoach.com

Source: High Quality Article Database – 365Articles.com

At one time or another, each one of us will suffer from some kind
of adversity. Especially in recent weeks, many of us who have
always felt invincible have seen evidence to the contrary. Many
of us have lost friends of loved ones, and all of us are feeling
the pain of loss and invasion.

Some of us have experienced more adversity in our lives than
others. Many of us have suffered from financial hardship,
physical or mental illness, or other difficulties that never seem
to let up. However, as many Americans have said in recent days,
we cannot let adversity change our way of life or deter us from
living. If we do, the forces of evil and sadness will have found
victory. And we simply cannot let that happen.

Such is the case in any aspect of life. From personal experience
in battling four incurable illnesses, including MS and Lupus, I
cannot even express to each and every one of you how important it
is to look adversity in the face and continue on, chasing your
dreams.

When I was diagnosed with my diseases, I was utterly devastated.
For a time, I thought I’d never achieve my dreams of going to
college, teaching, and being a writer. But with the help of a
supportive husband and children, I started college at age 46,
graduated, and became a published author. I’m now a well-known
writer, teacher, and online businesswoman. In spite of all that
has gone wrong in my life, I have found success and fulfilled my
dreams, and so can you.

Instead of letting life’s obstacles bring you down and destroy
you, use them. Use your adversities to make you stronger and
help you succeed in business, education, or whatever you choose.
Use hardship to toughen you.

Telling your story to your customers and associates will
undoubtedly get you support, respect, and even success. Don’t
embellish your tale or beg for pity, but don’t be afraid to let
people know what you have been through. Being honest about your
life’s history will inspire trust and understanding in others who
may very well have been down the same road.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Throughout life there comes a time when there is a need to
change some aspect of ourselves. Whether it’s our physical
appearance or what we believe in – sometimes those parts of our
lives that no longer serve us need to go. We have to re-invent
ourselves and start from scratch.

Sometimes we have to peel away the old layers to see the new
transformed versions of ourselves. And there are times, too many
actually, where we don’t want to change even though we know that
we must.

It’s hard to part with our old ways – habits and belief systems
that we know we’ve outgrown but have become so familiar with. We
hang on to the past because we feel that if we let it go a part
of us has to go too. But that doesn’t have to be the case. You
can change yourself, re-invent who you are and still keep the
memories, the knowledge of your former self.

We resist change as if by instinct. We’re so stuck in our old
ways and then something changes and we end up fighting it. The
fighting, the resistance makes it harder for us to process the
changes that are inevitable. This is when we need to just go
with the flow and let it happen.

Sometimes what we fight the most is the best for us. Whether
it’s trying to lose weight or studying for a better position at
your job, there comes a time where you know you have to make a
change in your life. Yet even when we are aware of the need to
change we still resist it.

In order to make the changes we need to make in our lives we have
to stop the cycle of resisting change. We start making the
positive changes in our lives then resistance creeps up and we
stop, only to start again later down the road.

You know going back to school will help further your career. You
keep putting it off and making excuses. ‘I’ll do it later.’ ‘I
need to be home for my family.’ ‘I don’t have the time right
now.’ Excuses, excuses, excuses.

What’s the real reason you keep putting it off? Are you worried
about how your co-workers might react if you get promoted over
them? Are you worried about if you’ll lose some of your friends
if you change too much? Are you worried about the added
responsibility of a new position?

You keep worrying about all of the ‘what ifs’ – things that
haven’t happened yet and end up staying stuck in the same
position at your job. All the while, complaining about wanting
to move up in your career and wanting a raise.

So how do you get out of this rut, out of this cycle? You want
to change, but you’re afraid to change, so you resist the change,
and you stay stuck.

You have to release your fears before you can move forward,
before you can re-invent yourself. You have to remove the blocks
laying in your path so you can have a clear view of what lies
ahead for you. Acknowledge your need to change and then honor
your past, present and future by taking a step in a new
direction. A step towards a new you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Turning Their Loss Into Your Job Gain

 by: Robert Moment

It isn’t the end of the world, even if it seems like it. Losing your job can be a heart-breaking experience. After all, your security in life and your abilities is now in question. You can feel disillusioned and there is the ever-nagging question of: What do I do now?

Well, you start over. Don’t develop a “victim’s mentality”. When one door closes another door opens for greater opportunities. Everything in your life happens for a reason.

Turn your former employer’s loss into your gain. This minor setback is just what you need to jumpstart a new life. Now, you can revisit your dreams and former desires (things you may have left behind for the sake of a career). When you search for a new job, you can find one that fits your identity perfectly. Starting over can be a positive, a great thing.

Just because you’re unemployed doesn’t mean you’re helpless. You still have all of the desirable qualities that kept you at your old job for so long and, now, you also know the qualities that may have gotten you fired. See it as a learning experience. You have all of your experiences, skills, talents, and ideas. The only thing that has changed is, now, you can put them to better use.

Decide what matters most to you. Do you want a job that allows you to explore your creativity? Or do you want something that delights in your scientific mind? What are your personal convictions and how will they shape this new you? Well, why not find this position? You can—all you have to do is decide what you want and go for it.

Your personality and personal goals can be reached. Yes, you lost a job. It happens; accept it. That’s the first step to finding yourself and the job of your dreams. The second step? Self-awareness. Take time to search yourself. Decide what is important, what is essential, and where you want to go in life. The possibilities are endless.

Once you’ve accepted your job loss and have decided on what you want in life, the only things left to do is go for it. Remember: this will not be easy. You will have to work for what you want, especially since this new life should be an improvement over your last. You want the best and that takes time and determination. But, it is worth it. Your happiness is worth it.

Losing a job can be difficult; however, it can also be the first step to a happier, more fulfilled life.

Copyright 2004

About The Author

Robert Moment, Author, Business Coach,and Success Strategist. Author of best-selling ebook, What Matters Most is Employment and best-selling book, It Only Takes A Moment to Score. Visit his website www.jobsearchrx.com.

robert@jobsearchrx.com

Source: High Quality Article Database – 365Articles.com