How do you answer the interview question: “Why are you looking to leave your current job?”

Know you’re not supposed to be transparent here, but ad world is more casual than the business world.

likehelpful
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I answer this with a light dose of real reason and a heavy dose of what sounds good:
“We has a good run and solved some really interesting problems, but leadership has changed and the place is a little different than it was. So, now I’m looking for a better fit where I can help people solve new problems.”

Something to that effect. You can acknowledge challenges without bitching about them or badmouthing.

likehelpful

Different challenge. Looking to keep learning. Expand your portfolio of types of accounts. Looking to move cities. Because you've heard that their agency is one of the best. Because you liked a certain campaign they worked on.

likehelpful

My last two job opportunities reached out to me when I wasn’t really looking to leave my gig at the time, so I was pretty transparent and used that to my advantage. “I’m not quite sure I want to leave where i am, for XYZ reasons, but there are some opportunities I’d be foolish to pass up.” And then talk more about the role in question and weigh the pros and cons. Set me up pretty nicely for salary negotiations, too

likehelpful

I don’t think it’s bad to say things were uncertain and you jumped. Everyone’s been there before.

Go ahead and explain the things that make current shop mediocre but give them a positive spin. “There’s more strategic opportunity on xyz type of brand” or “I’m looking for a higher caliber strategy department that has xyz”.

Oh and knock ‘em dead!

likehelpful

Rave about their creative department and how much you'd love to make work there instead of ragging on your current one for being creatively mediocre

likehelpful

That’s helpful. Thanks, everyone. I think specific might help.

My situation: I went from a top creative shop to my current job at a mediocre shop because I was scared of being laid off (several account losses) so I made a premature move. I’m interviewing at another top creative shop and if I get it, I’d be leaving my current job at mediocre shop after 9 months. Would this be weird to say?

“Creative excellence.

I love the culture of my current agency and I have found some strategically interesting projects. However, to be frank, I’m not thrilled with the creative output. I think I’m writing better briefs now than my job prior - more experience - but the creative result is not as good. I want to make work that excites me and resonates with people - that’s why I work in advertising..."

like

Avoid the negatives, people sometimes assume you were part of the problem if you existed in a bad work atmosphere. Just tell them their company looks more interesting, and explain why you like their projects and work.

helpful

Say that you’re being valued much higher at other places, and you’re ready for a change

smart

Don’t go negative on your current job. Tie it to your own growth, and speak to the limitations where you currently are, and how much further you feel you can help move the ball in the right team

like

I'd say the most important thing is having a sensible and plausible story that doesn't raise red flags. In general, you'd want to frame it as following opportunities at the new company as opposed to fleeing something negative about the old company.

You guys are all right - thank you. In truth, I wasn’t actively looking to leave but my recruiter reached out to me with this opportunity and it’s hard to pass up a place with such a good strategy department and creative output.

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