How to Answer ‘Why Did You Leave Your Previous Employer’?

“Change is not a threat, it’s an opportunity. Survival is not the goal,  transformative success is.” — Seth Godin 

I was asked the question how do I respond when asked “why did I leave my previous employer.” I decided to share the response through this scenario.

John’s longtime supervisor transferred to another region, leaving him under new management. Unfortunately, the transition wasn’t smooth—his new supervisor was inexperienced, and their working styles didn’t align. Before long, John was placed on a performance plan with reasons that weren’t clearly defined.

As the situation unfolded, John was given the option to either continue under the plan or move on. After thoughtful consideration and advice from trusted mentors, he chose to resign.

While the experience was challenging, John views it as a turning point. It clarified the kind of environment in which he does his best work—one with clear expectations, collaborative leadership, and mutual respect.

Why did you leave your previous employer?

In interviews, the inevitable “Why did you leave?” question can be answered truthfully yet professionally. In John’s case, he felt overwhelmed and contacted his coach to identify how to appropriately respond. The focus should be on what he learned and how he’s now positioned to contribute more effectively in a role that aligns with his strengths.

Stay Truthful Without Oversharing

How someone frames their exit can make a huge difference in how a future employer perceives them. If an employee was asked to resign, the goal is to stay truthful without oversharing, keep it professional, and pivot the conversation back to strengths and fit.

Here are some ways they can respond depending on the situation:

1. Frame It as a Mutual Decision

• “The role turned out not to be the best fit for my strengths and career goals. After discussions with leadership, we mutually agreed it would be best for me to move on.”
  This works well if they don’t want to sound negative or defensive.

2. Emphasize Reorganization / Role Misalignment

• “The company was restructuring, and my role was impacted. While I gained valuable experience, it was the right time to look for opportunities better aligned with my skills.”
  Neutralizes blame and shows adaptability.

3. Focus on Growth & Future

• “I realized that the position wasn’t the right long-term fit. I decided to transition out so I could pursue opportunities where I can contribute at a higher level.”
  Reframes the resignation as intentional rather than forced.

4. Highlight Lessons Learned

• “That experience taught me a lot about [communication, leadership, project management, etc.]. I’m now looking forward to applying those lessons in a new environment where I can thrive.”
  Shows maturity, resilience, and a forward-looking attitude.

5. Keep It Brief & Positive

If pressed further:

• “I’d prefer to focus on the value I can bring to this role. I’m confident the skills I developed will be an asset here.”
  Avoids being dragged into negativity or long explanations.

Avoid:

• Speaking negatively about the past employer.
• Using words like “fired,” “forced,” or “terminated” unless directly asked (then explain calmly and factually).
• Sounding evasive—short, honest, positive answers work best.

If you are in this situation, we hope this helps as a brief guide on how to handle the situation as you transition into new role.

On the other hand, have you ever experienced a case like this? How did you handle this rather sensitive career journey? Do share, we would love to hear.