reason for leaving current employment?

Nic_Noc_Noo

Hi all

We all had a meeting a week ago at work explaining that the company would be undergoing a restructure and through this there would be a number of redundancies. At the moment my job is "at risk of redundancy" (although it's going from 6 positions to one so I'm not holding my breath!) so I have been looking around for alternative employment before D-day.

I'm just wondering when applying for other jobs, in the "reason for leaving current employment" bit do I actually say that I am at risk of redundancy? and if I do, do you think this is likely to jeoporadise my application??

Never been in this situation with job applications before, just the usual reasons so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

makeyourdaddyproud

Tell it how it is: your company has submitted notice of redundancies and you are currently considering another post in light of your employer's current predicament?

You are in better shape than the long term unemployed or those returning to employment from sickness etc.

LittleVoice

You only need to give a reason for wanting to leave your current employer if asked specifically - on an application form or in an interview. Do not put it on your CV or in a covering letter.

However, your decision to seek other work only when being faced with redundancy shows loyalty to your current employer. I guess this is a positive - it says you are not a job-hopper but you are prepared to proactively get up and go".

Remember that you also need a positive reason to want to work for the new company, not just the negative of needing to leave the current one.

Nic_Noc_Noo

Thanks both - didn't get much time to give a proper response earlier other than the Thanks button.

LittleVoice - the two applications I have filled out so far don't ask for it, but just wondered what to say if it did in the future, or like you say at interview.

thanks again

szam_

Tell it like it is. I had to do the same earlier this year, didn't get to job because they felt I lived too far away, strangely enough I now work with that company in a better role after they heard I moved closer, unfortunately a few months after redundancy, but hey.

aitpaustralia

Simply say that you want to switch to a new job just because you want to enhance your skills and learn something new or looking for a better career and growth opportunity ahead. dats it!

browneyedbazzi

aitpaustralia wrote: »

Simply say that you want to switch to a new job just because you want to enhance your skills and learn something new or looking for a better career and growth opportunity ahead. dats it!

'dat' is also a lie in OP's circumstances and depending on the job they are leaving and what they are applying to may even be a very bad lie indeed - if for example OP applies for a job that would be less challenging or a rung down on the ladder because the security is what's important to them rather than the career potential.

Why would you lie when the truth is a perfectly acceptable answer that won't damage your chances? It's generally a very bad idea to lie on job applications.

Prothet_of_Doom

When I was made redundant it was going to be 2 of 5 going, and all 5 of Us knew which 2 it would be, due to 3 having a completely different skill set from the other 2, and in the short term the company could get by without our skills.
To recruitment agencies I explained, my pessimism, explained that if I could get a bite, I'd put my name forward for a volentary package which would be double, but still £0.
I didn't get an interview until a few days after I'd been given the boot, but had I, I would have stated clearly, "If you make me an offer before .....Date.....I will be able to volanteer for redundancy, and I'm sure it will be accepted"
At Interview I would state : This is the Catalyst that forced me to reassess my career, and I have had a growing realisation that what I what to be doing in the future is more of......

bugslet

If someone came to an interview and if asked why they were leaving their current employment, and they said that the company were going to be making redundancies, I'd not think anything bad of it, jsut that it made sense to look around.

Jordo

Always be open and honest when looking for work. Absolutely no problem looking around under the threat of redundancy, but make sure you have a clear availability date in mind to tell your recruiter/future employer, saying things like "well I might be available in 6-8 weeks depending on how things go" won't be attractive to them.