What to Write on an Application About Quitting a Job
When it comes to filling out job applications, it can be challenging to know what reason to give for leaving your previous position. Even the most amicable and reasonable of splits can come across sounding negative if worded improperly. Give careful consideration to what to write on a job application if you quit your last job so that potential employers still give you a chance regardless of your reason for leaving.
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Be Honest
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It is important to be honest about why you quit, particularly since many potential employers check references. While human resources references can generally just speak to whether or not you worked at the company and for how long, supervisory references can also say whether or not they would hire you back and why or why not, and the way in which you quit may play a role in that answer. You wouldn't want a prospective employer to find out that you were dishonest in how you left your last position, as this can ruin your chances of being hired.
Acceptable Reasons To Include
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There are some reasons you can include on your application that are perfectly acceptable excuses for quitting a job. They include relocation, seeking additional opportunities for professional growth, company merger, laid off, contract ended or career change. However, no matter what reason you list on your application, be prepared to explain it during an interview.
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Unacceptable Reasons
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Just as there are reasons for quitting that are generally acceptable to a prospective employer, there are also reasons that raise huge red flags. These reasons might include not getting along with management, fired, personal problems, long hours, incarceration, failure to get along with co-workers, didn't receive desired raise amount or promotion, conflict of personality or working style with co-workers or injured while on the job. These reasons all speak to a general incompetence on your part and should be reworded to one of the aforementioned acceptable reasons. For example, injured on the job might be best worded as "seeking opportunities for professional growth."
Preparation Is Key
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What you list on your job application simply gets your foot in the door for an interview. Believe that if you listed that you quit a previous position, you will be questioned about it in the interview. Don't dwell on the answer and definitely don't say anything negative about your employer in the interview. Simply reiterate your reason for quitting and be professional and poised. You might even say something like "I enjoyed the experience working for XYZ Company and I learned a lot, but simply felt like it was time to move on to other opportunities that can afford me greater potential for growth." That answers the question definitively, so you can focus on the skills you bring to the table.
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