There are a lot of reasons why you might want to change your career path. Maybe you’re not happy with your current job, or maybe you feel like you’ve plateaued in your career and you’re looking for something new.

Whatever the reason, it can be tough to answer this question in a way that makes you sound enthusiastic and committed to your new career path.

But don’t worry – with a little bit of preparation, you can give the perfect answer that will make the interviewer believe in your commitment to making this change.

Read on for our tips on how to approach this question!

1. Why Hiring Managers Ask This Question

Hiring managers ask this question because it’s a great way to see if you have the genuine motivation behind your career change.

It can sometimes seem like people are just trying to find a job that they enjoy, without actually being committed to the work itself.

By asking why you want to make a career change, the interviewer is looking for an answer that demonstrates genuine passion and enthusiasm.

It can be incredibly tempting to try to give a generic answer to this question, especially if you feel stressed about answering it in the first place.

2. Why You Need to Answer This Question Well

If the hiring manager is impressed by your answer, they could see you as someone who can handle unpredictable situations, has a strong level of self-awareness, and makes smart decisions. They might also be more open to your promotion after making the change, since they’ll know that you’re serious about this new career path.

On the other hand, a poor answer could make them question your commitment and motivation, which means you’ll have to work even harder to demonstrate how serious you are.

3. How to Answer “Why Do You Want to Change Your Career Path Interview Question”

Explain Why You’re Making the Change

There are different reasons for wanting to make a career path change, so it’s important to give some context around your situation.

Are you unhappy in your current job? Do you feel like you’ve hit a wall and want something new? How strong is your motivation to make a change?

This part of the answer is absolutely crucial – you need to demonstrate that you’re investing time and energy into this new path, rather than just looking for a way out.

Talk About Your Past Experiences

This is your chance to sell the hiring manager on the skills and experiences you have that will help you in your new career path.

Think about what qualifications, skills, or achievements would be relevant for this new job – then, use examples of how you’ve used that same skill set in the past.

Talk About How This Change Will Help You Grow

One of the most important parts of this question is how you’ll benefit from making a career path change.

Start by explaining why it’s important for you to keep growing as a person and how your new job could be key in that growth – then, explain what specific benefits it has for you.

Talk About How This Career Path Will Keep You Interested

The best answer to this question is one that demonstrates your commitment to the new path, but also shows that it will still be fun and interesting!

Think about some examples of what you like most about the job – then, explain why those things will keep you engaged as you go forward.

Make a Plan for the Future

Finally, it’s important to end your answer by explaining what your next steps will be – and how that fits into your career path change.

This should include some specific goals that you have – like an end date to a job search or a starting date for a new role – and then, how you’ll achieve those goals.

4. Do’s and Don’t of Answering This Question

Do:

Show your enthusiasm for a career change. It’s important to demonstrate that you’re looking forward to this new path and have done ample research into what it would entail.

Focus on how this career change will benefit you personally – as well as the company as a whole. The hiring manager wants to know that this is a mutually beneficial decision, and that you’re invested in it for the right reasons.

Use specific examples of past experiences and qualifications that will be relevant for this new role. If you can show that your current skills and achievements match up with what the hiring manager needs from their employees, that will go a long way towards selling yourself.

Don’t:

Talk about how unhappy you are at your current job. Don’t let the conversation take this turn – remember, it’s about demonstrating your enthusiasm for the new path and not letting your unhappiness bleed through!

Focus on how this career path change will benefit your co-workers or department. You need to show that you’re thinking about yourself first and foremost, which means it’s not the right time to talk about how much your team needs you.

Assume that you won’t be able to contribute anything to the company with this new change. It’s easy to get nervous about being so far outside of your comfort zone, but thinking positively can go a long way towards making your case!

5. Examples of How to Answer “Why Do You Want to Change Your Career Path”

The best way to answer this question is by using examples from past experiences to demonstrate why this job would be perfect for you now.

Here are some examples of good answers to the question “why do you want to change your career path?”

“I really want to make a move into this new industry. My past experience has given me hands on experience with some of the key areas that I think would be most useful for this job. I’m excited about the idea of working in this area, and I’m confident that I can really hit the ground running here.”

“I’ve been working in my current role for a few years now, and it’s been great. But, I realized there are some experiences I would have at this company that will be useful to me if I want to make a career path change – like developing an HR team. I’m ready to take on more responsibility, and this is a great way to keep growing my skillset.”

“I know that there are some pretty unique skills I bring to the table for this role. For example, I’ve worked with some of your biggest clients, so I know how important it is to be able to handle their individual needs. That kind of experience is really valuable in this industry, and I think it will be a great way to hit the ground running.”

“I’ve been looking for an opportunity to work on some more challenging projects. It sounds like that’s something that would be available for me in this role. It sounds like a great way to keep growing and learning, and I think it’s a natural fit for my skillset.”

“I’ve been in this industry for years now, but I’m ready to take on something new. This role seems like a really good chance to develop some new skills that will help me down the road – plus, it’s an opportunity to work with some great people doing some meaningful work.”

“I know that this industry has a lot of room for me to grow – and I think this role would be a great place to do just that. With the increased responsibility, I’m looking forward to finding new ways to really make an impact here.”

“This company is really well-known for fostering growth and development in their employees, and that’s something I really value. It sounds like this role would be a way for me to develop some new skills and take on more responsibility – plus, it seems like a really good fit with my current experience.”

Conclusion

Changing your career path in the middle of an interview can seem like a daunting task. It can be hard to know where to start and even harder to convince the interviewer that you’re making the right decision. However, if you can frame your change in terms of growth and opportunity, you’ll have a much better chance of impressing them. Not only will this show that you’re proactive and willing to take risks, but it will also demonstrate that you have a clear idea of what you want from your career. So don’t be afraid to switch gears during an interview – just make sure you do it the right way.