Every time I prepare a candidate for an interview I tell him that his upcoming interview may “live or die” on how he answers this question. I then complicate matters by telling the candidate that no matter how the question is asked, the interviewer is really asking two questions, and that he needs to answer them both, and answer them well.
An interviewer may ask “Why are you considering leaving your current firm?” Alternatively, an interviewer may ask “Why are you interested in working here?” Regardless of how the interviewer poses the question, you must indicate why you are leaving your current firm and why – specifically – you are interested in the interviewer’s firm.
By stating these “facts” (and I realize that they may not be 100% true), you are demonstrating three important traits of a coveted employee. First, you are establishing that you are loyal; you will not denigrate your current employer. Two, you are grateful to your current employer. You do not view the world through the prism of what you have not been given; rather you appreciate what you have been given. Third, you are a team player who makes an effort to get along with his co-workers. You do not seek to divide; you strive to build coalitions and work cooperatively.
Having established this solid and positive foundation, you can then launch into the reason why you are looking to find a new position, and it is critical – if at all possible – to link your reason for leaving to your interest in the interviewer’s firm. For example, you may handle a wide variety of corporate matters at your current firm, but the target firm has a premiere M&A practice. Here you can discuss your desire to focus more on M&A. This approach calls attention to the differences between your firm and the target firm in a way that is not critical but provides a clear reason as to why you wish to make the move.
Alternatively, if there is not a huge difference between your firm and the target firm, then you may want to call attention to the differences between what you are doing at your current firm and what you envision doing at the target firm. For example, you could explain that while your current firm is terrific, partners are great, etc., you find yourself working for the same partner again and again (who incidentally does the same types of deals again and again for his clients), and that you are interested in having a more diverse practice. Here your “problem” – i.e. being asked to work for the same partner repeatedly – is actually a positive because it demonstrates that you are an associate who does excellent work and is sought after by partners.
Another example might involve invoking the job description. In the last couple months I have worked with not one, not two, but three patent associates who found themselves doing more and more patent prosecution at their current firms. The problem for each of these three candidates is that they preferred patent litigation. Each applied for patent litigation positions and focused upon the fact that while they were currently doing a lot of patent prosecution, they had significant patent litigation experience, and much preferred the latter.
In conclusion, it is imperative in an interview when asked “Why are you leaving your current firm?” or “Why are you interested in our firm?” to be positive about your current firm while providing a plausible reason for leaving, and connect this reason to your interest in the target firm. Interviews truly do “live or die” on your response, so be prepared!
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