How to tell the hiring manager why you want a new job

Employers want to know why you are looking for a job with them because it will give them insight into what motivates and drives you.

Hiring managers will question gaps in employment, why your previous position didn’t work out and why you want to leave your current job. They want to be sure that you will be engaged in your role, are intentional about your goals, and want to work for them for the right reasons. Therefore, it is important to be able to explain your reasons for being on the job hunt and reassure the hiring manager why you’re the right fit for them.

Here are some of our tips to help you secure your next big role.

Don’t complain

People want to leave their jobs for many different reasons. If your previous position didn’t allow you the ability to flourish, or you had issues with your boss, you want to ensure that you are not dissing the company or bad-mouthing them in any way.

Refrain from complaining about how lazy or inconsiderate your previous employer was, or how boring your last role was. Speak about your experience constructively and explain your reason for job change as a result of desiring a faster-paced environment or that you want to develop your critical thinking skills. This shows your potential employer that you are eager to learn and require growth and progression within in your role.

Express your ambitions

If you want to explore a new career pathway or achieve bigger career goals don’t be afraid to let your prospective employer know. Explain how the role they are offering is more suited to your skillset and experience, or that it is more aligned with your career values. This prescribes a valid reason for being on the job hunt and shows that you will be more committed in this position!

GoSkills, an online learning company that helps employees and businesses reach their personal and professional goals explains that expressing your career ambitions can help take you closer to your goals. Remember that no one can read your mind and therefore won’t know that you want to progress further unless you express this.

For example, a career statement may look like “I would like to develop and refine my skills as a qualified graphic designer and execute more advanced tasks that contribute to the company’s overall performance”. This statement is specific and effective in illustrating to the employer exactly what you are looking for and why you believe they can provide this for you.

Express your career goals and show the hiring manager the direction you want to take with this job change. This demonstrates your transparency and aspirations, as well as commitment to your goals which employers look for in a candidate.

Show your interest in becoming a leader

Many employers value employees who have the ambition to become leaders. It implies that the person has the desire to grow and develop, which is a sign that they will be highly engaged in their role. If you have a drive for initiative and an interest in becoming a leader, make this clear to your prospective employer.

Prove that you possess the qualities and attributes to be successful in this role, by explaining how this new job will allow you to exercise these stills. Or, express your interest in the leadership training and development opportunities they’ve promoted in their job ad. These are all valid reasons for looking for a new job and will be a sure-fire way of making yourself standout against your competition.

Lay out the benefits you’re after

You may have been overwhelmed by your workload, experienced long hours, realised you require more flexibility or you want the benefits you’ve seen outlined in the job ad. Explain to the hiring manager why you want these benefits they’re offering and how it will help you be more engaged or effective in your role.

For example, you might be someone who is more productive in the morning and would like to start work earlier and finish earlier so you can get more work done. Explaining this in your interview demonstrates that you are self-aware and that you have the best interest of the company in mind as well as your own.

Setting down the benefits you are after and why demonstrates your values and beliefs clearly, allowing the employer and yourself to see whether you will be a good fit within the organisation.

Express your interest in a stronger cultural fit

Employees, their values, and the overall workplace culture prescribes the foundation of the organisation.

To ensure compatibility and higher job satisfaction, it is important for you to assess your cultural fit with the prospective organisation and determine whether your values align with theirs. These people are who you will spend most of your days with, and the processes are what you will spend most of your time adhering to. There is little point in working under an organisational culture you do not identify with or are indifferent to.

Being true to your values and ideals also demonstrates where your passions lie, reflecting your authenticity. This allows the employer to understand what you are looking for and whether they can provide that for you.

Therefore, if you have researched this prospective employer’s organisational culture and believe your qualities can benefit the company and they can also positively impact you, communicate this to the hiring manager.

Remember that employers are assessing whether you will be a good fit for their workplace, and how you answer their question of why you are looking for a job with them will play a factor in determining that.

For further insight increasing your employability and justifying your reasons for looking for a new job, fill out the form on our page and one of our consultants will get in touch!