I'm in training for my new HR Coordinator position, and I am shadowing the current coordinator while she conducts interviews. I've been asked before in my own interviews why I am leaving my current position, but I have never heard the coordinator ask an interviewee that. I was just wondering if that was the social norm, or if it's a major faux pas to ask that in an interview.
2007-09-19 16:31:13 · 11 answers · asked by smnoble13 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment ➔ Other - Careers & Employment
"Reason for leaving" is just one of those questions that gets asked, either on an app or during an interview, but to be honest there's not a whole lot of weight given to it -- unless the answer is just a huge red flag.
But unless they left a job because they had to move across the country or the company itself folded, most people stick with bland answers right out of the job interview books like "I'm seeking a position better suited to my strengths", or "Looking for advancement potential". If they really left because of something like sleeping with the boss or teetering on the edge of getting fired for absenteeism, you'll never hear about it.
So it's a pretty meaningless question unless somebody is thick-headed enough to actually give a truthful but loopy answer.
2007-09-19 17:00:07 · answer #1 · answered by Lee S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is largely up to the person conducting the interview. One can tell a lot about a person based on the answers they give during an interview. It's just based on the preferrences of the one conducting the interview. So, I've asked that question of perspectives and had that question asked of me. It's a matter of seeing if a person is going to use a professional term or go into an elaborate explanation that give far too many details. It can be used by some who may have already spoke with the previous employer. By law, no former employor is allowed to reveal the details of a person's past employment. You can ask, but you can't say is pretty much the rule. "Yes, So and so worked here from April of 87 to december of 92." It's good to ask your training guide, the finer points of protocol or if the company has established protocol for such things. Every employer has something a little diferent but overall, it's the same everywhere.
You could ask your coordinator who's training you, what kinds of answers she's looking for and how it relates to the job openning in question? A good coordinator will share some great insights from the years of experience that is under their belt. Be sure to write everything down.
I do hope you will have a great experience in the field of HR.
2007-09-19 16:50:59 · answer #2 · answered by Carol T 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not really a "norm" and it's not really a bad thing. Employers are welcome to ask just about any questions that does not violate a persons rights. What I have learned from HR at my company, is that each HR employee has general guidelines...but may take the interview wherever they would like.
The Body Shop, Corporate HQ in the UK for example wont ask hardly any questions about your previous experience. Instead they ask only questions about what you like, and you lifestyle. Where do you shop? What are your hobbies? etc. In fact...they didn't hire a highly qualified manager because his hobby was "hunting" and The Body Shop has many concerns with environmental issues and animal conservation.
2007-09-19 16:41:06 · answer #3 · answered by timbobelmo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a common question but not necessarily a useful one. There is little point asking questions that people are going to reluctant to answer. Everyone says the same rubbish about seeking new experience blah blah blah...asking that question involves wasting 5 mintues of your life.
Anyway you can ask better questions such as why are you seeking this particular job opportunity and so on.
Job interviews are not exactly reliable or scientific.
2007-09-19 17:37:47 · answer #4 · answered by flingebunt 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is a little easier to ask why they are seeking new employment, so they won't get as defensive. Ask what they are looking for from company and a boss. But do ask... it's quite revealing of their character, relationship with authority, etc. It will let you know if they are realistic, or never happy and have a hard time with authority
2007-09-19 16:38:52 · answer #5 · answered by Dulos 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is absolutely proper to ask a prospective employee why they want to leave their current place of employment. You could learn something that may help you in deciding whether or not you want this individual on your team.
2007-09-19 16:52:15 · answer #6 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure if it's considered "proper" but I've had several perspective bosses ask me this and it's even been a question on some applications.
2007-09-19 16:39:57 · answer #7 · answered by Janna 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Certainly!!
That question appears on many applications. Very fair question. I think some weight on hiring decisions should be based on how interviewees respond to it.
2007-09-19 16:36:34 · answer #8 · answered by SoulDawg 4 UGA 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I ask it when ever I interview a person. You want to hear what it is that they do not like that is causing them to leave. There is nothing improper or illegal about it.
2007-09-20 12:59:26 · answer #9 · answered by hr4me 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i've been asked that in many interviews, and it's a valid question in my opinion.
2007-09-19 16:37:13 · answer #10 · answered by Josh D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋