The question “Why did you leave your previous job?” is one of the most common yet challenging questions you may face in a interview for a job. In Greece in 2025, where the job market remains competitive, handling this question effectively can determine your success. According to EURES (2023), average gross earnings in Greece reached €1,961, 18.1% higher than in 2018, but still below the EU average (€3,417). This suggests that many workers want to leave their job seeking better opportunities. In this article, we’ll guide you on how to answer this question in a way that highlights your qualifications, avoiding a negative response to a job offer or the impression that you might leave the new role soon.

Understanding the Purpose of the Question

Employers want to understand your motivations, your attitude toward work, and how you handle professional challenges. When they ask why you left your previous job, they’re not just looking for the reason for your departure but also how you present your experience. A 2022 study from Psychologies.com found that one of the main reasons employees in Europe, including Greece, choose to leave their jobs is the lack of career advancement opportunities. This insight can help you frame your response to show ambition rather than dissatisfaction.

How to Answer Without Saying the “Wrong” Things

1. Stay Positive and Focus on the Future

Regardless of whether you left your previous job due to a low salary, poor conditions, or lack of prospects, avoid speaking negatively about your former employer. Instead, focus on your ambition for growth. For example: “My previous role provided valuable experiences, but I’m seeking an opportunity where I can leverage my skills in a more dynamic position.” This response shows you’re oriented toward new challenges, not that you want to leave your job due to issues.

2. Connect Your Departure to Your Career Goals

Employers value candidates with a clear career vision. You could say: “I decided to leave my previous role because I wanted to grow in a field that better aligns with my skills and long-term goals, like the position you’re offering.” This approach ties your resume to the new opportunity, showing that your departure was a strategic decision.

3. Highlight Your Adaptability

If you might leave a job due to restructuring or other external factors, explain it honestly without blaming. For example: “The company underwent a reorganization, and my role was affected. This gave me the chance to seek new challenges that align with my skills.” This response shows you’re adaptable and ready to move forward.

4. Avoid the Trap of Over-Sharing

Even if you want to leave your job due to issues like low salary or poor management, don’t mention it directly. Instead, say: “I felt I had exhausted the growth opportunities in my previous role and wanted to explore new possibilities that better match my ambitions.” This phrasing keeps the focus on your positive attitude.

How to Prepare for the Question

Preparation is key to delivering a convincing response in a interview for a job. Here are some tips:

- Analyze Your Resume: Review your work history and think about how you can present each departure positively. For example, if when you leave a job you did so to pursue further education, highlight it as an investment in yourself.

- Tailor Your Response: Study the job description and the company to connect your answer to their needs. If the new role offers opportunities that were lacking in your previous job, mention it.

- Watch Your Tone: Even if your experience was challenging, maintain a professional and positive tone. Employers value maturity and diplomacy.

What to Avoid

- Don’t Blame Your Previous Employer: Even if you left due to poor treatment or unfairness, avoid mentioning it. Employers may see this as a sign you’ll speak negatively about them in the future.

- Don’t Focus Solely on Money: While salary is important, focusing only on it can suggest you’re not interested in the job itself. If you must mention it, say: “My departure gave me the chance to seek roles that offer a better balance of responsibilities and rewards.”

- Avoid Vague Answers: Steer clear of generalities like “I just wanted a change.” Provide specific, professional reasons that show strategic thinking.
 

Example Response

Here’s an example:

“In my previous role, I gained valuable project management skills, but I felt the opportunities for professional growth were limited. I decided to seek a position that allows me to apply my skills at a more strategic level, like the one you’re offering here.”
This response is positive, shows ambition, and connects to the new opportunity without giving a negative response to a job offer.

Statistical Insights on the Greek Job Market

According to EURES, Greece’s GDP per capita in 2022 was €19,500, 44.9% below the EU average (€35,400), though it increased by 17% since 2018. This indicates that the Greek job market is improving, but workers often want to leave their job to find better opportunities, whether due to salary, lack of prospects, or other factors. A 2022 Psychologies.com study highlights that the lack of career advancement is a primary reason for job departure across Europe, including Greece. These statistics underscore the importance of framing your departure as a move toward professional growth.

Conclusion

The question “Why did you leave your previous job?” is an opportunity to showcase your ambition, adaptability, and commitment to the new role. With careful preparation and a positive tone, you can turn this question into an advantage, avoiding the impression that you might leave the new job soon. Focus on the lessons learned from your past experience and how they prepare you for the new opportunity.

Finally, we leave you with an idea:

“Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.”

Bobby Unser