What is a good answer to why I left my last job? ?

Question

I quit my last job without having a second job lined up because I was frustrated with the politics, double standards, and favoritism that took place. I know it happens at every job but it was just was too much backstabbing and shady stuff going on. To be honest I should have been strong enough to stick it out until I found something. I have an interview tomorrow for a job that seems perfect for me based on the job description. I think the way I answer why I left my last job will make or break the interview. I definetly know that I will get great references from my former employers except my previous employer. I was just going to tell the interviewer that it was a mistake on my part because I failed to do my homework and I just graduated from college and I took the first offer without thinking about it. Now since I left I understand the importance of leaving on a good note regardless of how the employer treats employee. I also learned the importance of asking questions about the management style, work culture, and type of work done before accepting an offer. In the future if I plan on leaving I will give my employer at least 2 weeks notice. What do you think is a good answer?

Answer 1

An easy and typical answer for why you left your job is that you are looking for an opportunity to grow and learn something new.  How long were you at your last job?  If you were there for a while, you can say that you felt you had learned a lot in that position, but are looking for a job where you can learn even more.  You can say that you already quit because you wanted to devote your time to finding job that would be a perfect fit for you and completely research a company before applying and accepting a job with it.  You felt that you would not have the time to devote to the job search with your current job.  And then you can go into why you want to work for this new company.

Answer 2

Tough as it sounds, you need to take this question and turn it around so you aren't coming across as negative -  you need to quickly make it about what they are looking for - and keep it neutral when referring to the previous company or coworkers from the last position.  For example:  "The position was not what I expected.  I am a team player and an innovative problem solver, and a position such as we have been discussing could allow me to use my strengths in those areas."  

This answer tells them you are not dwelling on the past, that you are excited about them and have moved on.  And yet it is truthful - you weren't working as a team before and you weren't being recognized as valued.  But if you were to say that you would sound like a negative whiner and who wants to hire one of them??  You've done some important thinking and know what you need to do to be sure the next job's a better fit.  Congratulations

Answer 3

Just let the new company know that you left because you found out that the company had corrupt business practices, and you didn't want to be part of that.

Answer 4

I would just tell them that you felt like you exceeded your limit with your last job and that you could not progress any further in your department, and felt like you needed more of a challenge. And then say it was careless on your part to leave before having another job lined up. Or just don't mention that part. Don't bring it up if it's not brought up already.  

Answer 5

yours is an excellent answer except one part:

"Now since I left I understand the importance of leaving on a good note regardless of how the employer treats employee"

leave off the part about the employers treatment of employees, instead:

"Now since I left I understand the importance of leaving on a good note and i realize how my actions effected the entire organization."

in this way you have included everything without blaming anyone else. you have taken ownership for what you did and you explain what you learned from the experience. everyone makes mistakes in the way they deal with some situations it is showing what you learn from those mistakes and taking ownership for the mistakes that makes you stand out.