🌍 Job Interview Training. Q4: “Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?”

May 13

Hello again, Anglo Passers! 👋 Welcome back to our job interview series for English learners. So far, we’ve looked at how to answer:

• “Tell me about yourself”

• “What are your strengths?”

• “What is your biggest weakness?”

  
  

Today, let’s explore another common, and sometimes awkward, question:

💬 “Why did you leave your last job?”

This can feel uncomfortable, especially if you didn’t leave on the best terms. But don’t worry, with the right strategy, you can answer clearly, professionally, and positively.

🎯 What Are Interviewers Really Asking?

When they ask this question, employers want to understand:

• Are you leaving for a good reason?

• Are you professional when discussing past employers?

• Are you looking for something better aligned with your goals?

  
  

They are not trying to catch you out — they just want to hear a calm, honest explanation.

✅ How to Structure Your Answer

Use this safe and simple 3-part structure:

1. Be positive and brief

“I enjoyed my time at [company], and I learned a lot.”

2. Give a clear reason for leaving

“I’m now looking for a new challenge / a role that offers more responsibility / a position with more international focus.”

3. Show how it connects to this job

“That’s why I’m really interested in this opportunity — it matches what I’m looking for.”

💡 Top Tips

• Stay calm and polite — never criticise your old boss or team

• Focus on your growth, not what was wrong with your last job

• Tailor your reason to the new role (e.g. more learning, better fit, growth potential)

• If you were made redundant, just be honest — it’s very common and not shameful

  
  

📝 Useful Phrases

Here are some natural ways to answer this question:

“I’m grateful for the experience I gained at [company].”

“I’m looking for a new challenge and the chance to develop new skills.”

“My previous role was very valuable, but I’m ready for something more aligned with my long-term goals.”

“Unfortunately, the company restructured and my position was made redundant.”

“I’m interested in roles that offer more international collaboration / project ownership / growth.”

“That’s why this opportunity really caught my eye.”

✏️ Your Task

Take a few minutes to write a short, positive answer using the structure above:

1. Say something polite about your last job

2. Give a brief and clear reason for leaving

3. Link it to why you want this new role

🎧 Then practise saying it aloud with a calm, natural tone.

📖 Case Study – 👤 Meet Beatriz Ramos

Beatriz is a 29-year-old customer service lead from Lisbon. She’s applying for a global support team role at an international software company.

Interviewer: Can you tell me why you left your last role?

Beatriz: Sure. I really enjoyed my time at NexaTel. I was there for almost four years, and I learned a lot about team leadership and customer satisfaction. But over time, I realised I wanted to work in a more international environment and be part of a company with global clients. That’s something my previous role didn’t really offer.

That’s why I’m so interested in this position: it matches my experience, but also gives me the chance to grow and work with a more diverse customer base.

✅ What’s Next?

Now it’s your turn!

• Think of a short, honest reason why you left (or want to leave) your last job

• Keep it positive, even if the experience wasn’t perfect

• Practise linking your past to your future goals

  
  

In the next post, we’ll look at a behavioural question:👉 “Tell me about a difficult situation at work” — and how to answer it using the STAR method.

Keep going — each step is preparing you for real success. 💪