

6 Awesome Ways To Answer, "Why Are You Leaving Your Job?"
“Why are you leaving your job?”
This is a question that I have heard countless of times in interviews, and as a hiring manager, I am guilty of asking that question too. Hiring managers like myself are naturally curious people so we want the tea on why you are leaving so that we can make the best hiring decision on our end. If your answer gives us the signal that you are leaving on a negative note, then that will definitely be something we consider when deciding upon hiring you - remember, no one wants to hire a Negative Nancy.
When you are asked this question, I know you would rather respond by saying things such as:
“My pay is crappy and I need more money.”
“I can’t stand my boss and my hand is itching to slap her every day.”
“I’m bored at work and Snapchat isn’t that much fun anymore.”
However, responses like that in an interview will get you nowhere. Even more, responding like that will get you an unexpected end to your interview and probably not even a courtesy, automated rejection email.
When I left my last job, I left because of a scheduling conflict. I had dreams of going back to school and the hours that I worked wouldn't allow me to pursue my dream. Instead of saying that I couldn't work the hours or I didn't like the schedule, I said this in my interviews,
"Recently I have decided to further my education in graduate school to earn my MBA. This MBA will be valuable to my professional development and for any organization that I am apart of. With my current employer, I work on the weekends, which prevents me from attending classes on Saturday. For this reason, I am looking for a new company with flexible a more flexible weekend schedule."
In interviews when the hiring manager asks you this question, instead of being brutally honest, use my examples below for a more softer and respectful answer. As my mom has always told me, “It’s not about what you say, it’s about how you say it.”
You can’t stand your boss and wouldn’t flinch if she burned in hell
I’ve been in a position where I hated my boss. Honestly, I’m not sure if "hate" is even the best word to describe how I genuinely felt. If you dislike your boss and think that he or she is the worst, I’m sure you are itching to get away from them.
Nonetheless, walking into an interview and bad-mouthing your boss will not get you the job. If this is your reason for leaving, try saying this:
“Recently, I realized that the energy and goals with the leadership team is different from my own goals and values. I am looking for a company that can better match my own values and interests. Taking the direction to leave my job is a hard decision because I love the mission of my company, but I think it is only right that I do what is best for me and my professional development.”
You are tired of getting low pay and want more money
It is nothing more insulting than to work hard for someone and not see the monetary benefits. While you are spending most of your time and energy at work, you want to be properly compensated for it. The average American feels as if he or she gets paid less for what they do. If you feel the same way and want to leave your job, communicate this to the hiring manager by saying:
“While at my company, I have learned “X” amount of skills and have developed a substantial amount of knowledge in “X” areas. While I have learned a great deal, I am looking to join a company that can bring more value to my newly developed skill set and yearning to excel in my job."
Your job doesn’t want to promote you so are looking for a company that will
It is the worst to feel stagnant in your career and like you are going no where. Normally when you have increased your skill set and have become better in your area of expertise, you want to be promoted. Yes, you want more money, but you also want more responsibilities and want to be recognized for what you know. If this is your reason for leaving, try telling the hiring manager,
“Although I love the people that I have worked with and my company, I have grown tremendously and I am ready for the next challenge in my career. Instead of being complacent, I am looking for a job that will challenge me and will continue to develop me.”
Your coworkers are messy and you cannot work with them
Petty Betty and Messy Ann are people that you don’t want in your life, but sadly in some way or another they become your coworkers. Working with people that love to gossip and bring drama can really take a toll on your work and energy. Instead of saying that your coworkers annoy you and that you are tired of the drama, try saying this:
“I am looking for a place where my values and work goals are mutual. While I love the mission of my company, I feel that I am in a different place with the team that I work with. As a result, I am looking for a company culture that better suits me.”
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You work a ton of hours and want more time to have fun and hang with friends
With all of the hours that you put in at work, it is hard to turn up on a Tuesday or have a little Sunday Funday loaded with mimosas. You are tired of being overworked and not having a real work and life balance. Being able to spend time with family and friends is very important for your well-being and you understand this. In order to communicate this effectively to the hiring manager, say something like this:
“For me, having work and life balance is very important. In my current position, I am not able to achieve the balance that I desire and I would like to find a position where I can achieve, focus on work, and spend much needed time with my loved ones.”
Your job isn’t teaching you the skills that you want and your are bored at work
I’ve had a job where I literally just scrolled on Facebook and pinned cute outfits and yummy recipes because I was bored at work. When you are working at a company that isn’t developing you, you become bored, and one thing leads to another and you are Snapchatting at work. If this is you, communicate this to the hiring manager by saying:
“While I enjoy working at my company, I am looking to develop as an “X” professional and I think I can get this from your company after reading more about your company. Outside of work, I have done research on how to become a better person in my career field, but I know if I found a company where I could do the work on a daily basis, I would benefit tremendously (and so would the company)."
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If you didn’t notice by now, all of the responses above have one thing in common: positivity is key. No matter what the reason is on why you are leaving your current job, remain positive and demonstrate this in your response and tone.
If you have any additional advice on answering the aforementioned questions, drop a comment below and let us know!
Get more career tips and tricks by visiting our xo Business section!
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Brittani Hunter is a proud PVAMU alumni and the founder of The Mogul Millennial, a business and career platform for Black Millennials. Meet Brittani on Twitter and on the Gram at @BrittaniLHunter and @mogulmillennial.
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.
Is Once Ever Enough To See Beyoncé's "Renaissance World Tour?"
Many have wondered if one time is ever enough to see Queen Bey. Some argue yes. However, many of us on the opposite end of the spectrum, including myself, would disagree. Beyoncé's "Renaissance World Tour" is a universal yet varying experience for everyone who attends. In the words of Oprah Winfrey, the concert is "transcendent." For millennials, we have over two decades of her catalog that has served as the soundtrack for many of our lives and painted a personal portrait of our most coveted thoughts. Her music provides mental clarity and self-expression by serving as a universal language that has united fans from all walks of life through community, fashion, self-acceptance, and healing.
With a multi-layered approach to her artistry, just as she did on that winter day in December 2013 with the infamous digital drop of her self-titled album, she changed the game again on February 1, 2023, when she announced her world tour in support of Renaissance, her seventh studio album. Her cultural impact set the internet ablaze, with everyone trying to gather their coins, barter for presale codes, and figure out which cities to attend. The group chats were lit, and the Beyhive was stressed trying to get their hands on tickets.
Photo courtesy of Dontaira Terrell
Unfortunately, I was in that number. As the concert dates passed by and the one in my city drawing near all roads led to disappointment. With time ticking on the day of the Miami show and less than two hours to spare, my wallet bit the bullet, and I purchased three last-minute tickets, costing roughly $700.00 a piece (including fees) for me, my 9-year-old and 16-year-old nieces in Section 121 at the Hard Rock Stadium. With 10 minutes before showtime, we eagerly awaited the Queen to take the stage. A sea of metallic fringes, cowboy hats, disco fans, and western boots were in full effect and filled the entire stadium.
As the lights dimmed, a flood of emotions instantly overtook my body. It continued with each note she belted, along with nearly 50,000 roaring fans. The reverberating sound of the music through the stadium transported me from one era of my life to the next. As a teen girl in her bedroom daydreaming about her first love to blossoming into an unapologetic Black woman who is still on a road of self-discovery while learning to lean into the power anthem of "You won't break my soul." For over two hours, and with each set, I felt joy, love, peace, and a commanderie with fellow concertgoers. It was therapeutic as I danced like no one was watching and sang as if I were alone in my bathroom mirror.
There were no bars held, and I realized at that moment, "Nobody can judge me but me." The "Renaissance World Tour" proved to be so vast, and my Black girl joy was re-invigorated. It was magnetic and liberating, and I had to attend again, but this time, I needed to be up close and personal; I needed to be on the floor. In the days that passed, I watched more social media clips in different cities and asked myself if I would really splurge again to attend another Renaissance show.
Photo courtesy of Dontaira Terrell
After all, this would be my thirteenth time (maybe more because I lost count) seeing Beyoncé live, whether she was on tour with Destiny's Child, as a solo artist, or doing a live appearance. I contemplated for a while, but it worked itself out on its own. I was gifted two tickets and the next thing I knew, I was off to LA to attend another Renaissance show with floor seats at SoFi Stadium during Beyonce's 42nd birthday weekend! This time, things were different: no kids were allowed. It was adults only this go round.
Although the energy at the Miami and Los Angeles shows was empowering, infectious, and a celebration of life, happiness, and identity, they each provided their own unique experience. However, both concerts were what I needed for my well-being, leaving me with sore feet from dancing the night away, on vocal rest for the next few days from screaming at the top of my lungs, and on an indefinite high on life.
My introduction and love for Beyoncé began in 1996, while my older sister lived in Houston, TX, right before Bey hit the scene in 1998 with "No, No, No" as a budding R&B member. Her evolution twenty-seven years later as an international superstar and into womanhood has been an incredible journey to witness. As Mrs. Carter reminds each of us in the audience every night before the curtain closes, "I want you to remember this moment, where you're standing, who you came with, and take it with you. I hope you feel inspired."
I truly felt inspired, so thank you, Queen Bey. You awakened my inner child, and I will definitely remember these moments and take them with me.
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Feature image by Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood