Most professionals have aspects of their job they enjoy and others they wish they could change. Hiring managers understand this and want to hear how you talk about both sides. It’s not an invitation to complain. Instead, it’s an opportunity to highlight your personal career goals, demonstrate self-awareness, and explain why you’re ready to move on.
Why Employers Ask About What You Like (and Dislike) in Your Current Job
Interviewers want to know what motivates you, what might frustrate you, and whether the role you’re seeking will be a better fit than your current position. They’re also testing your professionalism: can you address negative topics in a measured, respectful way? A well-thought-out response suggests you’re clear about your goals and able to handle challenging questions without criticism or blame.
Here are a few things hiring managers hope to learn:
- Insight into your preferences: What types of tasks or environments inspire you? What areas do you find draining or unfulfilling?
- Alignment with the new role: Are the things you dislike in your current job solved by what’s offered in this new position?
- Professionalism and attitude: How do you speak about employers or teams, even when they haven’t met your needs? A balanced, constructive approach paints you as someone who handles conflict responsibly.
How to Answer “What Do You Like and Dislike About Your Current Job?”
Plan ahead and be honest
Think carefully about the parts of your current role that you genuinely enjoy and those you find challenging. Make sure your points are relevant to the new position. You might appreciate working with clients in your current job and want more of that in your next role. Or perhaps you want to build on the skills you’ve developed but are limited by a lack of opportunities for advancement. Identifying specific examples helps you deliver a focused and clear response.
Stay positive and emphasize growth
Instead of venting frustrations, frame your dislikes as reasons you’re seeking greater growth or a more suitable environment. For example, if you dislike the lack of creativity in your current job, you could say you’re eager to explore a role that offers more room for innovative thinking. This shows you’re forward-looking and solution-oriented.
Highlight relevant skills
Use this as a chance to point out your strengths. If you like collaborating with teammates, mention how you excel in team environments. If you dislike monotonous tasks, position yourself as someone who thrives when taking initiative or brainstorming new approaches. This strategy keeps the focus on what you bring to the table.
Connect to the new role
Explain why the position you’re interviewing for aligns better with your preferences. For instance, if you’re applying for a role that involves more client interaction, mention how your current job taught you valuable communication skills—yet you’d like to stretch those skills further. Painting a clear picture of how this new role fills gaps in your current situation shows you’re intentional about your career choices.
How Not to Answer
- Don’t badmouth your employer: No matter how unhappy you are, focus on the role and responsibilities, not the people. Criticizing your boss or coworkers can come across as unprofessional and might raise concerns about how you’ll speak of this new organization down the line.
- Avoid overly negative focus: It’s acceptable to mention what you’d like to change, but don’t let that dominate your answer. Keep the conversation balanced. If you’re overly critical, the interviewer might wonder if you’ll ever be satisfied or worry about a negative attitude in the future.
- Skip irrelevant or petty complaints: Being too granular—like complaining about the type of coffee in the break room—detracts from your professionalism. Stick to discussing high-level issues (like limited advancement or misaligned responsibilities) that directly impact your performance and growth.
Sample Answers to “What Do You Like and Dislike About Your Current Job?”
Example #1
“I enjoy the collaborative environment at my current job. Working closely with cross-functional teams has helped me become a better communicator. The downside is that there’s not much room for professional advancement, and I’m ready to take on a position where I can grow as a project leader. That’s what drew me to this role—I believe it will challenge me while still letting me contribute in a team-focused setting.”
Why it works:
This response highlights a positive aspect (collaboration) and an honest drawback (limited growth). The candidate then connects these points to the new role, framing it as the perfect solution.
Example #2
“I’ve loved being in a role that requires independence and self-direction. It’s allowed me to sharpen my decision-making skills. On the flip side, there aren’t many chances to collaborate on bigger projects, and I miss the energy of teamwork. After reading about your department’s emphasis on group initiatives, I’m excited by the idea of mixing independent work with more collective brainstorming.”
Why it works:
Mentioning independence as a valued skill positions the candidate as responsible and proactive. Expressing a desire for additional collaboration shows an eagerness to engage and learn from peers—qualities that often appeal to employers.
Example #3
“I like that my current role involves problem-solving and analytics. Working with large data sets honed my eye for detail. However, the projects rarely extend beyond a single department, and I’d like to have a bigger organizational impact. In reading about how your company handles cross-departmental teams for strategic initiatives, I see an opportunity to apply my analytical strengths on a broader scale.”
Why it works:
The candidate mentions a positive aspect of their current job (problem-solving and analytics) and clearly states their desire for a role with a wider scope. This approach is respectful to their current employer but makes it clear why they’re seeking a new challenge.
Addressing what you like and dislike about your current job offers a snapshot of your professional values, work style, and goals. A thoughtful answer shows you’re self-aware, seeking the right fit, and respectful of your existing role—even if you’re looking for something more. That’s exactly the kind of perspective employers want to see.