How to answer common interview questions: 'Why do you want to leave your current role?'

Welcome to another installment of our blog series on how to answer common interview questions. Let’s jump right back in. 

‘Why do you want to leave your current role?’

This is another question that aims to understand your motivation for being at this interview. On the surface, they may just want to know your reasons, but underneath they might want to know what, if anything, went wrong. 

This question is arguably more important than you may think, so your answer is all the more crucial. The hiring manager ultimately wants to know that you’re serious about this role, and the way you answer can help to demonstrate that you’re a strong candidate.

Tactfulness

Whatever your reason for leaving, it’s valid. Lying is never advisable and honesty goes a long way, so long as it’s used tactfully. Yes, you can say you feel underappreciated, overworked, and underpaid, but bad-mouthing a workplace doesn’t usually go down well. 

A more respectable way to phrase this is to highlight a misalignment. You can also tie your answer back to why you’re applying to this role. 

A few examples:

‘I am currently in a narrow role and I’m looking for broader exposure, and unfortunately, there are no opportunities like this at my current firm’

‘I’m ready for a step up and even though I’ve spoken to my manager, there is no available position for me to move up to at the moment’

‘I’m looking for more international exposure to further my career and develop my skills, so I’d be really excited to move to this firm as my current firm doesn’t offer this’

Be positive 

Include in your answer what you value in your current or previous role, namely, opportunities and experiences which led to professional development. This allows you to showcase skills and experience the interviewer may not have known about otherwise. You can connect them back to this role and how the growth it offers will benefit your career long term. In doing so, you’re showing an optimistic and aspirational outlook, something widely welcomed by hiring managers. 

This question gives you every chance to link back to the job you’re interviewing for. You can highlight the differences you value compared to your current situation. Now is also the time to demonstrate any research you’ve done on the company. For example, you could express your excitement at the prospect of joining a company that values green initiatives or that runs charity fundraisers for a cause you connect with.

Honesty is the best policy

The interview panel is probably looking to understand whether you are leaving voluntarily or not. Things happen, redundancy is something a lot of people face, and it’s okay to say that. Equally, if you were fired, they will want to know. Being forthright with your reasons will display a genuineness that a lot of hiring managers will appreciate. Meanwhile, lying is more likely to come back to haunt you later during referencing.

If you have been fired due to performance reasons, the interviewer will want to understand that you have done some reflection to understand where you fell short. You’ll need to demonstrate that you’re taking action to remedy these issues.

Circling back to the element of tactfulness, this comes into play regarding salary. Wanting an uplift in salary can be a motivating factor for changing jobs, but should not be the first point made when answering this question. Hopefully, it’s not the only factor for applying to this job, so make that known. Instead, mention that you’re ready for a new challenge and want to develop skills not required or developed in your current role. Demonstrate your ambition and drive, not your interest in pound signs.

Ultimately, the interviewer will be hoping to hear an honest answer to their question, and you can definitely tailor it to show off your strengths as a candidate and the value you can add to the firm. See this question as a chance to leave a 5-star review for your previous company whilst looking forward to the future, hopefully within theirs. 

If you'd like more help preparing to interview for law firm risk and compliance roles, give us a call on 0207 117 2542, see our latest jobs, or read more career advice.

Get all the latest law firm risk and compliance news in your inbox with our free monthly newsletter or join our network on LinkedIn. We're here to keep you in the loop!