General hr manager interview questions

8. Why are you leaving your current job?

There are many acceptable reasons for leaving a job. Prepare a thoughtful answer that will give your interviewer confidence that you’re being deliberate about this job change. Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of your current or previous role, focus on the future and what you hope to gain in your next position. Consider the following when crafting your response:

1. Focus on your skills: "I’ve been refining my project management skills with volunteer opportunities and side projects with other teams, and I received my PMP last quarter..."

2. Keep it positive: "...I’m looking for an opportunity where I can put those abilities to work for a mission I’m passionate about...”

3. Relate it back to the job: “...I was also excited to read in the job description that this role will require regular presentations to key stakeholders—one of my key motivators is the ability to connect with colleagues and communicate my team’s work, so this is an especially exciting part of this opportunity...”

4. Provide a recap: “...Ultimately, I’ve learned a lot in my current role, but I’m looking for the next step where I can continue to grow and use the skills I’ve honed to contribute to a company I love, and this opportunity seems to be the perfect fit.”

Read more: Interview Question: “Why Are You Looking for a Job?”