Your answer to “Why did you leave your last job?” might be derailing an otherwise strong interview.

Because when an answer carries too much emotion, interviewers may question your readiness and objectivity.

And for many job seekers, this question is loaded.

Toxic workplaces. Difficult managers. Layoffs that came out of nowhere.

Those experiences are real. But this isn’t the time to unpack them.

When candidates start justifying, venting, or replaying what happened, the conversation stalls. And it pulls focus away from what actually matters: what you bring and what you want next.

Your answer to why you left your last job generally boils down to one of 5 reasons

1️⃣ Management change

2️⃣ Career progression

3️⃣ Personal/family change

4️⃣ Career or purpose clarity

5️⃣Reduction in force

Your job is to choose the category that fits and deliver a brief, grounded response.

Keep it:

Then pivot: why this role makes sense for where you’re headed.

(It’s always better to end your answer on a positive note!)

I often remind job seekers that their answer is about what they are running towards, not what they are running away from. (I heard someone else say this, so I can’t take credit)

Practice your answer until it feels calm and natural. Not defensive. Not rehearsed. Just clear.

Because the goal of this question isn’t to relive the past.

It’s to move the conversation forward so you can talk about your strengths, your value, and your interest in the role.

Should You Message A Hiring Manager on LinkedIn After Applying? - Jessica Hernandez

“67 percent of job seekers who landed in less than 6 months reached out to the contact person at the company to inquire about the position.” - Career Advisory Board, Devry University. 

This and other data strongly suggests that those who directly contact an employer are more likely to get hired. Plus additional tips on how to use warm instead of cold outreach! 

Before the Layoff: What Smart Leaders Do First - Gina Riley

Your job search doesn’t start with a resume! The steps are clearly outlined in this article (though many job seekers will skip them). Gina also includes a link to a presentation she gave about how and why to build your unique value proposition and craft a strategic plan for your job search.

Is my message one I would respond to? - Greg Roche

Before you reach out to anyone, ask yourself this question “is my message one I would respond to?” Too often, we feel the need to get our message out without considering how it will be received. Always put the interests of your audience first!  

The biggest networking mistake senior leaders make on LinkedIn - David Hannon

Can you guess? This is about the difference between warm and cold outreach. David includes how to convert cold contacts into warm ones. This partners well with the post above (and Greg refers to David’s post). 

The High-Performing LinkedIn “Open to Work” Post Formula - Sarah Johnston

If you are openly searching for a new job (your employer knows), then you should consider making an announcement like this on LinkedIn. AND then save it to your “Featured” section so it remains visible.

Indeed’s 2026 US Jobs & Hiring Trends Report: How to Find Stability in Uncertainty - Indeed Hiring Lab

A best-guess at what 2026 holds: “job openings are poised to stabilize, but may not grow much; unemployment is likely to rise, but not alarmingly so; and GDP growth looks to remain positive, but somewhat anemic.” Here’s what else you’ll find:

Is AI Really to Blame for All These Layoffs? - The Job Hopper

Well, maybe a small number of layoffs, but the real reasons are more complicated. 

We can’t fix this. What you can do is take proactive steps to uncover hiring that is happening on a smaller scale, in certain industries, and by certain employers. 

Something Big Is Happening - Matt Shumer

This article explores how to prepare for career survival and rapid adaptation due to AI. The traditional advice of "learn a stable trade" is being upended and happening faster than the general public realizes. You can’t sit back. Dive in! “You must build ‘adaptability muscle.’ The specific tool matters less than your ability to learn new workflows quickly.”

You Don't Need Motivation. You Need to Kill What's Blocking You - Jan Tegze

Job seekers often talk about not feeling motivated. This long article addresses the three reasons we procrastinate: 1. Activation Energy Resistance 2. Psychological Reactance 3. Uncertainty Paralysis. Now that you understand the root cause, you’ll be able to put this plan into action: 

Do you have a personal marketing plan or networking document? It guides your job search and helps others know what information will be helpful to you! Read how to create one here.

4 Ways to Update Your LinkedIn Status

Your Network Meeting Agenda

How To Answer “Tell Me About Yourself” In An Interview

10 Best AI Resume Builders 2026

The folks at Huntr.co analyzed over 40 resume-building tools and created this report. Remember, they conducted this analysis so their may be some bias, but the information is still useful. 

I realize that not everyone can afford to have their resume professionally written. If you do need a new resume or need to update it, consider trying the free trials of these tools. Choose the tool that will deliver the help you need. Do you need help formatting, customizing your resume for different jobs, or optimizing it based on the job posting?

And always remember, AI has a bad habit of making stuff up (hallucinating) so ALWAYS triple-check your work.