Four anyone actively job hunting or for those that made it out, how did you answer the question, "why do you want to leave Wells Fargo?" I'm struggling with being honest but want to have a good response so I don't sound negative.
Thoughts?
19 replies (most recent on top)
I went with a version of “I’ve outgrown my current role and WF doesn’t have a lot of openings right now”
I don't, but if your company will compensate me for my services/skills, I could be enticed to do so.
Reverse the question to the interviewer. "Why would I not want to leave, it's Wells Fargo?"
I’ve said that the culture has had a big shift with the change in executive leadership, coupled with location strategy (lack of remote) and career progression as reasons. Recruiters and hiring managers all understand these.
To be honest, if you need someone else on a random website to answer that for you, you're going to need a lot of help in an interview.
The job has changed over time. Most of my effort is now consumed by addressing compliance and risk mandates and less on the core functions that made the job engaging when I joined the bank. While the compliance and risk mandates are there for good and valid reasons in the grand scheme of things, I am looking for a role that lets me use my skills and experience in ways that will engage me.
I said, “Have you seen the news lately?” We all had a good laugh. I got an offer the following week.
"Thank you for asking. While my experience with WF is excellent, at this point in my career I'm looking to explore new opportunities. Let's talk more about what you'd like to accomplish with this interview. What's the biggest challenge you face finding talent to fill this position?"
Turn around their question. In today's workplace if you're not looking for new opportunities then you are falling behind. The original question is like asking someone about previous relationships -- there is nothing you can say better than nothing.
Just say "Well, for the same reasons men and women leave abusive relationships, do you not have any clue?!"
I owe NO ANSWER to any fuggin employer or recruiter as to why I make the decisions I do to leave a workplace.
Don't you find that to be a ridiculous question when you sign an offer letter that its at will employment and you can leave for any reason, but a a nee employer thinks you owe them an explanation for why you would want to leave that Schitthole?!?! I do.
I left months ago, I said "you probably know Wells has been going through some things"...
And left it at that. No one asked a follow up.
If they did I'd tell them the truth, after years of layoffs and cutbacks there doesn't seem to be any improvement coming anytime soon.
Most hiring managers get it, good people don't want to be the last ones in the burning building.
@ses+1dxMqalg not at all the same. Not even close.
"The company has been very transparent about its need to reduce headcount to be competitive with its peers. This means that there are limits to career growth." Then talk about how the company you're interviewing with is awesome, growing, best in their industry, etc and how this job opportunity is so interesting blah blah blah. Say nothing of WF's culture, management, pay, compliance problems, public image, etc. The less negative or questionable you say about your current employer, the less chance you have of being perceived as a troll or dark cloud.
A now former coworker mentioned RTO being backwards to the way the majority of businesses are moving and cited the continued ability to work from home as the reason why he left.
@wch +100
"I have worked with the company for X years and in that period of time, I have been afforded the opportunity to grow significantly in my skills as well as to better understand where I want to specialize. This opportunity [that I'm applying for] provides an opportunity for me to continue to learn with another company while leveraging the skills and discipline I've acquired at Wells Fargo."
Other options:
"The company has changed significantly over the last XX years and we are no longer the best match."
"There is limited opportunity for growth in my area of interest, market area, etc. which is driving me to explore other opportunities."
"My leadership structure has changed significantly. While the new leadership is excellent, it seems like this is a good time for me to explore the market and see what other opportunities may exist."
I could provide other options, but a lot of it depends on you and your work history.
By the way, it doesn't have to be all sunshine and roses. There's nothing wrong with a negative as long as you don't sound like a jerk. Saying, "they screwed me on my last bonus" or "they're all crooks" is sounding like a jerk. Saying instead, "the compensation is no longer as competitive for someone with my skills and experience" or "the attention the company has gotten in the media the last several years has eroded my happiness in working for Wells Fargo, and I'd like to try to find another match where I feel more invested in my company's mission statement and objectives" is a non-jerk way to express the same thought.
Good luck.
I'm looking for opportunities to grow and advance my career.
“Wells Fargo is in the midst of a large downsizing and cost- cutting effort. I want to work for a company where I feel like my work means something.”
My reason would be completely different from your reason.
Considering that when I leave, I'm likely making a full career change, that will be my stated reason. I will back it up for my reasons to change careers, which are all highly personal and will be selectively chosen for the individual role.
This is kind of like asking people how their resume is written.