SUBTEXTdo, don't try the "I don't know much, but I'd like to learn" approach
It won't get you brownie points. Dig into your research beforehand
and if that fails try to find someone who works for the company
who'll talk to you about it.Why do you want to leave your present job? This presumes that
you are still working when you are interviewed. The best answer
is that there was no place you could go in the company. Upward
mobility is limited, or the work isn't challenging. Perhaps you
want a more dynamic company. Another answer might be your
salary isn't good enough, and you're after more demanding work
with better opportunities.
A good answer here could be that you are after a line job
instead of a staff job. Line is sales, marketing, production. Every-
thing else is staff. Line jobs affect profits directly; staff jobs contrib-
ute to profits indirectly. They are company overhead and are usually
the first area where layoffs occur.
Why did you leave your last job? This question is almost a must
for interviews. If possible, try to give a group answer. Some exam-
ples: "Our entire division was let go." "After the buyout our territory
was cut." "The major suppliers left town."
Defend yourself without being too defensive. A good answer is
"I planned for the time to look for a new position and I've put
away enough to tide me over."
If you were fired, unless it was for insubordination, nonperfor-
mance, or embezzlement, it's not something to be ashamed of,
nor is it something that will be held against you. Most people
get fired because of a clash in personalities, new management
who bring their own people with them, or a cutback that eliminates
their job. Whatever the reason, don't be negative about your last