Question 8 - Why Did You Leave Your Previous Employment?

Depending on each individual situation, this could bepersonal situation - you have to focus on the
a very short or a little longer discussion point. Ifbusiness reasons and present a strong and
the company you worked for went out ofconvincing case that you have made a sound
business and was closed then it is what it is. Ifbusiness decision when you left your previous job.
you, however, decided to change ship, then an2. With this question the recruiter is also probing
examination of your reasons can be a furtherfor possible signs that you are an opportunity
source of useful information for the hiringminded individual. This can be a very good thing
manager. There can be all kinds of personal andfor some positions and not so good for others. If
business aspects of your decision and this againyou consistently took every career opportunity,
can be an opportunity for the candidate tothis may be a good sign that you will continue to
strengthen her case.do so in the future. So if the company has the
OK - now here is what the interviewer is reallypractice to promote its top-performers - then this
trying to learn about you, when asking thiscould be an ideal prospect for both sides. If
question:however the opposite is true, than this would be
1. The hiring manager would want to know howa red flag for the recruiter.
long you plan to stay if you are hired. If every3. The hiring manager is also looking for signs that
one of the last three jobs on your resume wasmight indicate the candidate was fired, or
less than two years then this can be a red flagsomehow let go under unfavorable circumstances.
and the recruiter has the right to examine theAny discrepancy in the story, when answering
situation. Perhaps you are applying for the perfectthis question, can harm more than anything else.
position, and want to stay there till retirement. StillSo be ready to give good business reasons why
you have to convince the company that theseyou decided to change your career by leaving
are your intentions. So regardless of youryour last job.