Commentary:
• The interviewer wants to understand if you are jumping or being pushed. How quickly will you jump from the interviewer’s company? How likely is it that they will have to ‘push’ you?
• It is also a chance for the interviewer to see how you deal with negative subjects. Although a ‘simple’ question it has often been said that understanding why people leave is the single most insightful piece of information you can find out about a potential employee.
Example bad answer:
• "The executive management in my organisation is terrible and there's a huge amount of disagreement about where the company is going. I've also been sidelined onto a ‘special project’ type role which doesn't interest me."
Example good answer:
• "I have enjoyed my job and believe I have achieved a great deal. I also feel that I am ready to move upwards, but that it not possible in my current company because..."