Every time you face a hiring manager in a job interview, you should be prepared to answer questions about why you’re leaving your current job. The ‘trick’ of the question lies behind the hiring managers’ expectations: as often, they do not want to hear about your personal reasons for leaving your team or your lack of agreement with your direct boss. Rather than sharing about your problems and any negative experiences, you should build your answer around discussing the opportunities which this new position is going to open for you.

While the specifics of your answer will depend on whether you are leaving your current company voluntarily or were asked to leave, it’s very important to answer in a way that will work in your favor.

For example, you should never say that your boss is a tyrant or that your colleagues are not nice people. Even if all this is somewhat true, there is no sense or use in pointing this out in a job interview.

Instead of crafting a negative answer, simply highlight the reasons why you’re seeking the new position. For example, “I’m really looking forward to working in a collaborative environment. I do my best work as a team player.” That’s a much better and more positive response.

Your interviewers are not only interested to know about the reasons why you are looking for a new job; they also want to know why you are applying for this particular position in their company. They will also make mental notes when they hear how you speak of your current employer as a gauge to how you would speak to another employer about them. These are very important factors in the hiring decision, so it is critical that you answer this question appropriately.

There are a few mistakes that you should avoid during your interview.

1) Do not try to skip past this question with a vague answer.

2) Try not to show disdain for your duties or your current company.

3) Even if you have personal reasons closely tied to why you are leaving, do not lead with them.

4) Do not try to appear overly saddened to be planning to leave your current position; this can be a bit confusing and come off as deceitful.

The last thing you want to do is leave any doubt in the interviewer’s mind that you have fully thought through your decision to leave your current position.