Can You Ask Someone Their Reason for Leaving an Employer?
If you are responsible for interviewing job applicants, you must adhere to labor laws that dictate the kinds of questions you can and cannot ask a prospective employee. A candidate's reason for leaving a prior job is a topic that is typically discussed in an interview, and the answer an applicant provides to this question will help a manager hire a responsible and qualified candidate.
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Is it OK?
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Asking a candidate why he left his last job or why he is considering leaving his current employer is legally permissible and is routine. An employer will want to glean this information to find out if there are explanations for gaps in time in a resume and to determine under what circumstances the applicant left a previous employer.
Explanation
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If an employee has a spotty employment record, asking him about gaps in his resume will help you to uncover them. Job applicants should be able account for times they were unemployed and be able to demonstrate that the time off was spent in a productive manner--such as caring for a family member or pursuing a degree. Inability to provide a reasonable explanation regarding gaps in employment could serve as a red flag with respect to a job applicant's reliability.
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Learning From Mistakes
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In the event the applicant was let go for poor performance, he should be able to explain what he learned from the experience. For example, if a candidate was fired due to excessive tardiness, an employer would want to know that he has made improvements in the area of time management.
Considerations
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If the applicant says he left his last job simply because he needed a change, it could be a red flag that he is just looking for something on a short-term basis. A motivated applicant is more likely to provide reasons such as seeking advancement opportunities or looking for a chance to utilize all of his skills.
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References
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