How to answer "why are you looking for new opportunities"

Question

Justin Parker · Accepted Answer

To answer, "why are you looking for new opportunities", you need to be honest and transparent, touch on your career goals, and project positivity. Here are some details on these strategies that can help you answer this question:

Be honest and transparent

Be honest and transparent

Remember, it is perfectly okay for you to express that you are seeking new opportunities because you want to develop or hone new skills, challenge yourself with new tasks or responsibilities, or take on the pursuit of a job that lines up with your core interests or passions. It is important to use honesty and transparency when answering this question.

Touch on your career goals

Another component you need to include in your answer to this question is to highlight your career goals and emphasize that you are seeking an opportunity that will help you achieve these objectives. Some common career goals might include things like taking on a leadership position, obtaining new skills and knowledge, or gaining new work experience.

Project positivity

It is important not to bad mouth your previous or current employer when answering this question, you should be projecting positivity because that is something nearly all potential employers like to hear from their job candidates. To be positive try and focus on the enthusiasm and excitement you have for this new possible opportunity.

Sample answer

Here is a sample answer that you can make your own:

I've learned a great deal in my current role at [Company Name]. However, I am excited and ready for a new career challenge to grow my current skills and hone existing ones. I am very enthusiastic about this potential opportunity because it lines up perfectly with my career goals and I am certain that I would be a valuable member of the [Prospective Company] team.