I always struggled to give a convincing answer to this question, tbh I just want a change in environment, better pay, and opportunities to solve difficult problems with cool technologies.
Avoid the “better pay” part (they should think you are already well compensated to lure you with generous package) and elaborate on the rest.
What if they know you’re not as well compensated? I don’t like the idea of them thinking they can give you just a bit more than what you’re making at your current job and make you feel grateful.
Well, recruiters are trained to negotiate, and this is one data point you don’t want them to know. And “they” doesn’t always include tour hiring manager. If your recruiter isn’t great it doesn’t define the company or the team you are being hired for.
“One million dollars”! Why don’t we stop wearing masks?: Everyone is in this shit for the money. But to the interviewer, you switch to the parrot mode: “I am looking for more challenges in a meritocratic environment to prove myself and learn from others. — I want to be surrounded by intelligent and motivated people… yadda yadda…” Come on! Would you like to be surrounded by intelligent and motivated geniuses at 70% of your current comp?! No? Okay. Would you change your job to work with intelligent whizkids, where you get fun and challanges at 103% of your current comp? It is higher, you know; and you get to work with the big brain boovs to create fun stuff. No, again? Of course no. You are not living in a smurf village afterall. Everything has a price. That includes changing the comfort of your job too.
Bigger challenges, more scope, more interesting work. The pay stuff is assumed.
looking for applying tools I just learned!!!
A lot of employers mark better pay as a red flag for whatever reason, I answered this as growth opportunities which essentially meant the same plus learning opportunities...
Easy...a more challenging role or more room for growth.
You want a role with more scope for growth, demonstrate leadership, and pursue innovation....current role is limiting etc
No oncall (staying up at nights), professionally competent manager, not so micro managing skip level, rational work, no late night/ weekend meetings
Big money, no whammies.
... then that's your answer. Nothing wrong with that. 1) introspect and know thyself. 2) give an honest answer, which shows you've actually thought about it