Why This Company, Why Leave
Beginner · 10 min read · Behavioral Interviews Decoded, The Questions Everyone Gets
Motivation questions answered honestly and specifically, without badmouthing anyone.
"Why do you want to work here?" and "Why are you leaving your current job?" sound like small talk, but they're scored. The interviewer wants to know whether you'll be engaged (you want this job for real reasons), stable (you won't leave in six months) and professional (you don't trash your employer).
Why this company?
A strong answer connects three things: something specific about them, something true about you, and what you'd contribute.
Why are you leaving?
Answer toward something, not away from something. Give one honest reason, framed around what you want next, then stop.
Other motivation questions
Further reading
Key takeaways
- Motivation answers are scored: they test engagement, stability and professionalism.
- Why this company = something specific about them, something true about you, and what you'd add.
- Why leaving = toward something, one honest reason, no negativity.
- Research the product, the engineering blog and the role so your answer couldn't be about any other company.
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