Are you struggling with giving a reason for a job change in your resume? Here’s how to do it.
We get it. Everyone goes through a job change at some point. It can be a mentally and emotionally draining experience.
Maybe you’re worried about what people will think. Or perhaps you’re wondering how to give a reason for a job change in your resume. After all, recruiters and hiring managers look extra carefully these days.
But it’s also exciting. You’re switching gears and pursuing something that is (hopefully) more interesting or fulfilling.
Whatever your reason for a professional shift, you’ll be asked to explain the career change on your resume. So, get ready to answer some questions. Before we dive into giving a reason for a job change, take a look at these stats.
Career Change Statistics
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median number of years an employee stays with their employer is 4.1 years. That data was taken from 2020. This is almost incomparable to 2018, which was 4.1 years.
Their study also showed that the median employee tenure for men was 4.3 years. For women, the median tenure was slightly lower at 3.9 years.
Employee tenure was also measured by occupation:
- Management (5.8 years)
- Legal (5.8 years)
- Architecture and Engineering (5.1 years)
- Educational, Training, and Library (5.0 years)
- Service Occupations (2.9 years)
- Food Service (1.9 years)
These career change statistics are incredibly fascinating because they reveal a commonality. Changing careers is something that everyone does, at least once or twice.
Giving Reasons for a Job Change In Your Resume
So, how do you answer that question, “Why did you leave your job?” You don’t have to go in-depth and give an entire bullet-point story. But you do want to give a solid reason to make the interviewer feel confident about hiring you.
Laid Off
Sometimes, career changes are outside of your control. Think back to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thousands of companies had to close or minimize their teams, which led to intense layoffs. If you were laid off, for whatever reason, there is no reason to lie about it.
In fact, it can be an easier conversation to have because layoffs don’t point back to you as a person. It points to an external factor. So, be honest and show that the discharge didn’t affect your work ethic.
Better Opportunity for Growth
Another good reason for a career change in your resume is a desire for professional growth. Honestly, leaving an organization is often the best way to advance your professional life.
This happens a lot to top performers and ambitious minds. If you’ve had a recent job pivot due to better offers, then good.
Elaborate on how you gave the offer careful thought before accepting. You might also be able to leverage experience from your past position to the one you are seeking.
Include that last point in your answer, and the interviewer will definitely be impressed.
Personal Reasons
Another understandable reason to give is family, health, or personal issues. This can be a sensitive topic to talk about, especially if the situation is fresh. It is ok to take time to care for a family member or look after your own health.
If you were dealing with frequent healthcare appointments, mental health issues, or abuse, you are safe to share that information. Hiring managers tend to be very compassionate about these topics.
Keep your answer short, sweet, and honest. Don’t treat your answer like a therapy session and unload emotional baggage.
Change in Values
Let’s be honest. As you age and become more experienced, your values and beliefs change as well. And not every organization is the right fit for their employees forever. The company itself might be doing fantastic, but their behind-the-scenes culture isn’t so wonderful.
Maybe your reason for a career change in your resume hits a moral cord. Your answer could sound something like this, “I decided it was time to seek out a company culture that better aligns with my values and beliefs.”
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