5 Tips for Explaining Why Youre Looking for a New Job

5 Tips for Explaining Why You’re Looking for a New Job 5 Tips for Explaining Why You’re Looking for a New Job 0Job interviews can be awkward enough, but having  to explain why you’re looking for a new job  when you’re still employed can take it to a whole other level. After all, you don’t want to bad-mouth your boss or make any disparaging comments about your current position as a reason why you want to leave (even if it’s true). Of course you should always be honest during a job interview, but sitting there complaining about your boss or coworkers the whole time will not paint a great picture of who you are. Instead, you should focus on one or more of the followingso long as theyre real reasons! Here are five tips for explaining why youre looking for a new job while youre employed, without sounding like a whiner: 1. Explain that you’ve outgrown the position. In today’s day and age where people are rarely reaching retirement having worked at one company for over 30 years, it’s highly probable that the job you started off with is going to get old and stale after awhile. And unless the company you currently work for has made an effort for the position to grow and change with you, there’s a good chance that you’re going to get bored and look for something more challenging as time goes on. So it’s perfectly acceptable to state that while you’ve loved working for the company and have learned so much in your job, you feel that you’ve learned everything that you can and are looking for a job with new challenges where you can better utilize your skills and experience. 2. Discuss your desire or  need for flexible working options. Let’s say that the company you’re interviewing with has an open flexible work policy. Heck, they might be 100 percent remote and not even have a brick-and-mortar headquarters. And to be totally honest, that’s one of the main reasons why you’re attracted to working for them. But no matter what the reason is why you need workplace flexibility (e.g., you have small children, you’re a caregiver, you’re disabled and need to work remotely, you’re a military spouse, you hate commuting, etc.), it’s never a good idea to explain why you’re looking for a new job by stating that you need flex- now. Sure, it might be a given that virtually every worker wants flexible work options, but in a job interview scenario, it shouldn’t be the main reason you tout as why you want to work for the company. Instead, mention all the reasons why you would like to work for the company, and if you’re asked about the company’s flexible work policy, then you can mention how the flex can be a fit for your life without making it too personal. 3. Discuss how you  feel this new job is a better fit. Here’s the thing about job interviews- it’s not about you. Ultimately, every job is a company’s problem that needs a solution, and you, job seeker, are that answer. During your job interview with a new company, it’s a good idea to point out potential pain points that the organization might be facing, and then explain how you plan to solve them with your fresh ideas, experience, and knowledge. Then you can focus the interview on why this new job aligns better with your career goals and where you want your career path headed in the future. 4. Say you’re looking to change careersand give a good reason why. One of the easiest ways to explain why you want to leave your current position in favor of a new job is that you’ve simply changed career interests, if thats actually the case. Being a career changer isn’t necessarily a red flag to a potential employer but rather a sign that you know what works for you and what isn’t- literally. So if you are applying for a new job that is different from your former field, let your interviewer know that you are changing career paths and that working for this company would be in line with your current career goals. Then explain all of your transferable skills and experience to show that you are qualified for the job. 5.  Tell them this is your dream job or company! Employers aren’t just looking for seat warmers to fill open job positions. They want job seekers who ardently want to work for their organizations. During your job interview, make it less about the company you’re leaving and more about why the company you’re interviewing with is the perfect fit for you. Explain how you believe in their mission statement, support their humanitarian efforts, and love their company culture. All of these factors can show a potential employer that you’ve not only done your research about the company pre-interview (which is always a smart move), but that you will fit in well with the company and not leave after six months or so. Explaining why you’re looking for a new job when you already have one can trip up even the most seasoned job seeker. Be sure to focus your answers on what you can offer the company and you’ll hopefully be offered the position.