Why are you looking for a new job?

Focus on your skills

In the example, the candidate opens their answer by mentioning skills and abilities. This can be a good opportunity to talk about what differentiates you from other candidates. This includes any extra work you’ve done, projects you’re proud of or even extra education you’ve completed that shows the value you’ll bring to their team:
“I’ve been refining my project management skills with volunteer opportunities and side projects with other teams, and I received my PMP last quarter."

Give a positive answer

In the example, the candidate connects their skills into a direct answer to the question. This is a more positive way of saying that their current company’s mission might not resonate with them or that they might not be finding opportunities to do the work they want to. Whatever your reason for looking for a job, apply the same principle by positioning your response into a positive and opportunity-driven statement:
“I’m looking for an opportunity where I can put those abilities to work for a mission I’m passionate about.”

Connect your answer to the job

The candidate then moves on to explain why the position they’re interviewing for is the right fit for their next career move:
“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.”
This is where researching the job description and company can help you craft an answer that your interviewers will appreciate. Recalling specifics about the job description or company from your research provides an opening for you to address how your skills and background make you the right person for the job. Think about the question, “What are you looking for in a job?” Then find the overlap in what the employer is looking for in a candidate, and bridge that gap with your answer.