Reasons Engineers Change Jobs: Effective Interview Communication with 10 Examples

When considering a career change as an engineer, one of the most critical interview questions concerns your reasons for changing jobs. Even if dissatisfaction with your current position is the honest reason, expressing it directly can create a negative impression.

This article, based on public data from IPA (Information-technology Promotion Agency, Japan), the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, clarifies why engineers change jobs and provides effective strategies with example responses to help you succeed in interviews.

1. Understanding Why Engineers Change Jobs: Analysis Based on Public Data

Let’s examine the reasons engineers change jobs through objective data rather than intuition. This section analyzes reliable statistics from public institutions including IPA, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Engineers’ Motivations According to IPA’s “DX White Paper 2023”

According to IPA’s “DX White Paper 2023” approximately one in three IT professionals is considering changing jobs.

Among “proactive transformation” professionals enthusiastic about DX promotion, “unable to do the work I want to do” ranks high as a reason for changing jobs.

This reveals that engineers with high technical growth ambition are especially sensitive to job content and growth opportunities.

The analysis shows that career-oriented engineers strongly seek environments where they can learn new technologies and participate in projects offering technical challenges.

They prioritize experience in technical areas aligned with their career vision rather than merely completing tasks.

Reference: IPA “DX White Paper 2023”

IT Personnel Shortage and Current Job Market: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Survey

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications’ “White Paper on Information and Communications” Japan faces a serious IT personnel shortage both quantitatively and qualitatively.

Personnel engaged in information processing and communications increased by approximately 200,000 from 2015 to 2020, yet supply still cannot meet demand.

Against this backdrop, engineers continue to experience a seller’s market with increased possibilities for improved compensation and career advancement through job changes.

Reference: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications “White Paper on Information and Communications”

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s “Employment Trend Survey”

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s “Employment Trend Survey” publishes statistics on reasons for changing jobs across all occupations.

For IT and technical positions, unsatisfactory working conditions including long hours and few holidays rank high. Low income, concerns about company future, and inability to utilize abilities and qualifications are also major factors.

These findings align with private sector surveys, supporting motivations specific to engineers.

Reference: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare “Employment Trend Survey”

Additional Insights from Private Sector Research

Private surveys specializing in the IT industry provide valuable supplementary information. Levtech Inc.’s survey found that 42.4% cited increasing income, 22.4% expressed concerns about company or industry future, and 14.7% felt they could not develop technical skills adequately.

doda’s survey, covering all occupations including IT, revealed that low salary with no prospect of pay increase ranked first for four consecutive years at 33.6%, while dissatisfaction with working hours rose dramatically to 4th place at 20.3%.

Top 5 Reasons Engineers Change Jobs: Integrated Analysis

Comprehensive analysis of public and private data reveals the main reasons engineers change jobs.

First: Seeking Skill Development and Learning New Technologies

In the IT industry, technology trends change rapidly. When there are no opportunities to work with the latest technologies or when occupied with maintaining legacy systems, engineers naturally worry about declining market value.

IPA’s “DX White Paper 2023” identifies this as the main motivation of proactive professionals, while the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s data confirms many “could not utilize abilities and qualifications”

Second: Improving Salary and Benefits

Engineers who understand their skill level and market value seek more appropriate evaluation when current salary levels fall below industry standards.

With demand for IT personnel greatly exceeding supply, the high possibility of improved compensation through job changes drives salary-based career moves.

Third: Achieving Work-Life Balance

Long working hours often occur before project deadlines, and many engineers are exhausted by chronic overtime and holiday work. Remote work environment development and flextime system availability have become important criteria when choosing employers.

Fourth: Career Change and Taking on Upstream Processes

As careers progress, many engineers wish to step beyond coding into upstream processes like requirements definition and design, or into management. When current workplaces cannot provide such career paths, engineers seek environments offering broader experience.

Fifth: Concerns About Company Prospects and Business Direction

Engineers consider changing to companies with higher stability and growth potential due to concerns about management condition, industry growth potential, or business direction.

■Related Reading

For comprehensive insights into navigating Japan’s IT industry landscape, including market trends and career strategies that influence job change decisions, explore our detailed analysis.

2. Basic Framework for Effectively Communicating Reasons Engineers Change Jobs in Interviews

Understanding what interviewers evaluate and how to construct convincing reasons is essential. This section explains evaluation points and presents a structured 3-step approach.

Three Points Interviewers Evaluate in Reasons for Changing Jobs

Consistency and Logic

Interviewers assess whether your reasons for changing jobs align with your motivation for applying.

If you want to change jobs to learn new technologies but select the employer only for higher salary, your story lacks consistency. Create a logical flow from reason for changing jobs, through career vision, to why you chose this particular company.

Forward-Looking Attitude and Growth Ambition

Even if dissatisfaction triggered your decision, express it as a forward-looking choice for growth rather than escape.

Instead of blaming the current workplace environment, show self-growth awareness by expressing your desire to challenge higher-level technologies or develop your skills further.

Potential to Contribute to the Company

Interviewers want to know what benefits hiring you brings. Show a specific contribution image by explaining how your particular experience applies to their projects or initiatives. This demonstrates serious research and clear thinking about your fit.

How to Communicate Reasons Engineers Change Jobs That Are Evaluated: 3-Step Structure

Convincing reasons for changing jobs consist of three essential steps.

Step 1: Current Situation Recognition (Objective Facts)

Objectively explain your current job situation without emotional criticism.

For example: “At my current job, I mainly maintain legacy systems using specific technologies”

This establishes the factual baseline without blame.

Step 2: Problem Awareness and Ambition for Improvement (Forward-Looking Motivation)

Explain your problem awareness and what you want to achieve, clearly showing self-growth ambition.

For instance: “To increase my market value as an engineer, I need to acquire cloud technologies and modern development methods. I decided to change jobs to work on projects utilizing the latest technologies”

This frames motivation as proactive growth rather than reactive dissatisfaction.

Step 3: Realization at the Prospective Employer (Specific Contribution)

Show why you’re applying to this company and how you can contribute, based on company research.

You might say: “Your company develops services utilizing cutting-edge technologies in specific areas. I’d like to contribute to product development while leveraging my current experience and learning new technologies”

This demonstrates both interest and potential value.

■Need Expert Support for Your Job Change?

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3. How to Communicate Reasons Engineers Change Jobs: 10 Evaluated Example Responses by Situation

This section provides specific example responses that make good impressions in interviews, organized by different reasons engineers change jobs.

Example 1: Skill Development and Learning New Technologies

Key Communication Points

Demonstrate learning motivation and technology interest. Rather than simply wanting to learn, explain specifically which technology areas interest you and why they’re important.

Convert current job limitations from “can’t learn” to “want to challenge more advanced technologies”

Specific Example Response

“At my current job, I mainly develop business systems using a particular language, but when considering my future career, I strongly feel the need to acquire cutting-edge technologies like cloud-native development methods and microservices architecture.

Your company has a modern development environment utilizing AWS, and I applied because I want to grow further as an engineer by challenging new technologies while leveraging my development experience.”

How to Communicate to Interviewers

Mention industry trends and future required skills to demonstrate foresight. Citing certifications obtained through self-study or weekend personal projects significantly increases persuasiveness and shows you’re already taking initiative.

Example 2: Seeking Improved Salary and Benefits

Key Communication Points

Express financial reasons appropriately. Avoid direct expressions like “salary is low” and use forward-looking phrases such as “seeking evaluation commensurate with market value.” Present objective grounds by citing industry average income or market value of equivalent skills.

Specific Example Response

“At my current job, I’ve achieved certain results, but the salary increase system is based on seniority, making skills-based evaluation difficult. I decided to change jobs to work in an environment where my skills and achievements as an engineer are appropriately evaluated.

Your company has implemented a merit-based evaluation system, and I’d like to make the most of my skills and contribute while receiving appropriate evaluation”

Points to Note

• Avoid specifying exact salary amounts
• Use expressions like “appropriate evaluation” or “compensation according to achievements”
• Show you’re seeking evaluation commensurate with your contribution

Example 3: Achieving Work-Life Balance

Key Communication Points

Connect with productivity rather than simply disliking overtime.

Explain from the perspective of improving productivity through efficient work methods. Speak positively about your desired work style rather than criticizing the current environment.

Specific Example Response

“At my current job, I work significant overtime monthly and am fully committed, but I believe appropriate work-life balance is important to maintain high performance long-term.

Your company has established flextime and remote work systems, and I’d like to make long-term contributions in an environment where I can work efficiently while securing time for self-improvement”

How to Provide Supplementary Explanations

State you want to use private time for reading technical books and studying for certifications to show growth ambition rather than wanting things easier.

Add that you want to make long-term contributions through sustainable work styles for a positive impression.

Example 4: Gaining Upstream Process and Management Experience

Key Communication Points

Clarify your career vision. Rather than simply wanting to do management, explain why you aim for that career path. Describe specific achievements in team leadership from current experience to show aptitude.

Specific Example Response

“At my current job, I’ve been mainly involved in implementation work as a development engineer for several years. Through projects, I became interested not only in solving technical issues but also in improving team efficiency and nurturing junior engineers.

I want to be involved in more upstream processes and contribute to improving overall product quality by participating from requirements definition and design stages.

Your company has career paths for technical leaders, and I applied because I want to polish management skills while leveraging my experience”

Example 5: Working on Product Development at Operating Companies (From SIer)

Key Communication Points

View SIer experience positively. Show you’re seeking new challenges while valuing knowledge and skills gained there. Speak about operating company advantages like directly contributing to in-house product growth and engaging in long-term development.

Specific Example Response

“At my current SIer job, I was involved in system development for clients in various industries and acquired broad knowledge and problem-solving abilities.

However, because projects switch in short periods, continuously engaging in service growth was difficult. I want to settle into one product and gain experience improving and growing services while directly hearing users’ voices.

Your company’s service has received high market evaluation, and I’d like to contribute to product growth while leveraging the broad technical knowledge cultivated at SIers”

How to Leverage SIer Experience

Emphasize contributing to product development from multiple perspectives due to multi-industry experience. Explain that experience solving various client issues applies to in-house product feature development to appeal readiness for immediate contribution.

Example 6: Working in a Modern Development Environment

Key Communication Points

Show interest in latest development methods and tools with enthusiasm to acquire them. Rather than simply wanting to use new technologies, demonstrate technical understanding depth by discussing contributions to development efficiency and quality improvement.

Specific Example Response

“At my current job, I mainly use waterfall-type development methods and learned solid system development basics.

However, my desire to experience agile development and continuous improvement cycles utilizing CI/CD, which have become mainstream recently, has grown stronger.

Your company’s development team adopts Scrum with a modern development environment. I want to polish development skills in rapid feedback cycles and grow as an engineer who can efficiently provide high-quality products.”

Example 7: Challenging In-House Service Development

Key Communication Points

Speak about the continuous improvement process appeal specific to in-house services that doesn’t end with building. Emphasize developing at close distance to end users and show product attachment and ownership awareness.

Specific Example Response

“Until now, I’ve been building systems responding to client requests in contract development, but I could not continuously engage in operation and growth phases after service release.

I want to gain experience continuously improving and growing products while receiving direct user feedback through in-house service development.

Your company’s service addresses specific social issues, and I feel great appeal in contributing to this business from a technical perspective”

Example 8: Seeking Remote Work-Capable Environment

Key Communication Points

Emphasize seeking an environment where you can work with concentration through remote work and connect clearly with productivity improvement. Speak from the perspective of achieving efficient work methods rather than simply not wanting to commute.

Specific Example Response

“At my current job, full-time attendance five days weekly is required, and commuting takes considerable round-trip time.

With remote work possible, I could use this time for technology acquisition and concentration-requiring development work, approaching work with higher productivity.

Your company allows full remote work, and I’d like to contribute through work methods that commit to results while maintaining thorough self-management”

Example 9: Attracted to Company Growth Potential and Prospects

Key Communication Points

Specifically mention the prospective employer’s business content, growth strategy, and market position to show company research depth.

Use forward-looking expressions about challenging in higher growth potential environments rather than saying the current job is bad.

Specific Example Response

“My current job is a stable company, but the entire industry is entering a mature phase with limited new business investment. As an engineer, I want to gain experience creating new value in areas with higher growth potential.

Your company develops business in a growth market with unique strengths. I’d like to participate in this growth phase as an engineer and contribute to business expansion from a technical perspective”

Example 10: Deepening Expertise or Focusing on Specific Areas

Key Communication Points

Explain that your past experience and the specialized area you want to deepen are connected, showing career consistency. Clearly state reasons for aiming to become a specialist in a specific area rather than a generalist.

Specific Example Response

“At my current job, I’ve handled a wide range of duties and acquired comprehensive skills, but I want to deepen my expertise specializing in the security field.

The importance of information security is increasing year by year, and my desire to build a career as a specialist in this field has grown stronger. Your company focuses on security measures and has established a specialized team.

I’d like to contribute to improving your service safety while increasing my expertise as a security engineer”

■Related Reading

Understanding overtime culture is crucial when discussing work-life balance in interviews. Learn about your legal rights and practical strategies for managing overtime expectations in Japan’s tech sector.

4. NG Ways to Communicate: What to Avoid When Explaining Reasons Engineers Change Jobs

Understanding what not to do is as important as knowing the right approach. This section explains expressions that lower interview evaluation and how to improve them.

Criticizing or Listing Complaints About Current or Previous Job

Harsh criticism of your current or previous job raises concerns about whether you’ll similarly speak badly about the company after joining or whether cooperativeness issues exist.

It also suggests blaming problems on others, raising doubts about problem-solving ability.

NG Example

“My current boss doesn’t understand technology and keeps making unreasonable demands. The entire company has an old-fashioned culture with no signs of improvement”

Improvement Example

“At my current job, there’s a particular challenge, and I’ve made improvement proposals, but changes are difficult due to organizational policy. I’d like to leverage my skills in an environment where I can take on more technical challenges”

Vague and Abstract Reasons for Changing Jobs

Abstract reasons like somehow feeling like changing jobs or simply wanting to grow more suggest lack of seriousness and inadequate preparation. Interviewers wonder what you really want to do at their company.

How to Add Specificity

• Include specific events, such as project experiences that made you strongly want to learn certain technologies
• Cite specific technology names like Python, AWS, or microservices rather than speaking in generalities

Passive Attitude and Other-Blaming Reasons for Changing Jobs

Other-blaming expressions like “the company won’t develop me” or “they won’t give me chances” show lack of initiative.

This language suggests expecting opportunities to be handed to you rather than creating them.

Shifting to Expressions Showing Initiative

Compare “at my current job, I was not given opportunities to learn new technologies” with “parallel to my current duties, I’ve been self-studying specific technologies.

I want to further polish skills in an environment where I can utilize this technology in practical work” The second demonstrates proactivity and self-motivation, which are highly valued.

Listing Multiple Reasons Without Consistency

Simply listing multiple reasons like low salary, bad relationships, company future worries, and long commute makes priorities unclear and fails to convey what you really want. This scattered approach suggests shallow thinking about career goals.

How to Improve

Narrow down to one or two most important reasons and explain centered on them. Even with multiple reasons, structure like “the biggest reason is X, and additionally I considered Y” makes it logical and shows clear thinking about career priorities.

■Transform Your Interview Performance

Avoiding common mistakes is just the first step. BLOOMTECH Career for Global offers comprehensive interview preparation services that help you articulate your career motivations with confidence and cultural awareness. Our experienced advisors understand both technical requirements and Japanese business culture, ensuring you present yourself as the ideal candidate.

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5. Situation-Specific Advice: How Engineers Should Communicate Reasons for Changing Jobs

Different career stages require different approaches to explaining reasons engineers change jobs. This section provides targeted advice for career changers, engineers in their 20s, and those in their 30s.

Career Changers: Making the Transition to Engineering from Another Field

For career changers, learning motivation and potential matter more than skills or achievements. Show specifically why you want to become an engineer and what preparations you’ve made to demonstrate commitment.

Concise Example Response

“I worked as a salesperson for several years, but after acquiring Excel VBA through self-study for work efficiency, I became fascinated by programming. After that, I studied at a programming school and developed a web application as a personal project.

My desire to contribute to society through technology as an engineer has grown stronger, and though inexperienced, I’d like to grow with your company while leveraging communication skills cultivated through sales experience”

Content to Convey as Supplementary Information

Present GitHub repositories or personal development projects to increase persuasiveness. Speak about specific episodes triggering your decision to become an engineer to demonstrate this is a well-considered career change rather than an impulsive decision.

Engineers in Their 20s: Communicating Growth-Focused Motivations

Engineers in their 20s are exploring career direction, emphasizing growth environment, technology acquisition, and career path diversity. Since people in their 20s have strong potential hiring elements, put forward desire to learn and hunger for growth.

Show specific career visions like wanting to learn particular technologies and eventually become a specialist in certain areas. Honestly admit current skill deficiencies while discussing efforts to compensate and future prospects to show high growth ambition.

Employers value enthusiasm and learning capacity over extensive experience for engineers in their 20s.

Engineers in Their 30s: Emphasizing Experience and Immediate Value

People in their 30s face stronger ready workforce hiring expectations, so clearly show how you can contribute by leveraging experience. Also clarify career direction, whether deepening expertise or transitioning to management.

Speak about specific achievements and contribution potential together, such as explaining how you led particular projects and achieved measurable results, then connecting this to how you’d leverage experience in the prospective employer’s business to contribute as ready workforce.

For engineers in their 30s, number of job changes and tenure length also attract attention, so construct a consistent career story showing thoughtful progression rather than aimless job-hopping.

■Related Reading

Strategic career advancement requires understanding clear progression pathways. Discover the complete roadmap from entry-level to executive positions in Japan’s software engineering field.

6. Related Interview Questions: What to Prepare Alongside Reasons Engineers Change Jobs

Your reasons for changing jobs don’t exist in isolation. This section explains preparation methods for interview questions closely related to reasons engineers change jobs.

Maintaining Consistency with “Why Do You Want to Apply to Our Company?”

Reasons for changing jobs and motivation for applying are two sides of the same coin. Maintain consistency in the flow from reason for changing jobs, through career vision, to why you chose this particular company.

When these three elements connect smoothly, you create a compelling story.

How to Construct Consistent Responses

• Start with your reason for changing jobs, explaining what cannot be achieved at your current position
• Articulate what you want to achieve in your broader career vision
• Conclude by explaining why you can achieve it at that specific company

Incorporate specific information based on thorough company research to show seriousness and demonstrate genuine understanding of their business and how you can contribute.

Responding to “Didn’t You Think to Try Solving It at Your Previous Job?”

This question confirms problem-solving ability and perseverance. Interviewers want to know you don’t simply abandon challenges when they become difficult. Show it was a decision made after improvement efforts at your current job rather than an easy escape.

Appropriate Response Method

Show evidence of efforts made. For example, explain that at your current job, you made specific improvement proposals for certain issues, and improvements were seen in some areas.

However, due to organizational policy and budget constraints, fundamental solutions weren’t reached, leading you to seek an environment where you could better utilize skills.

This demonstrates both initiative in trying to improve your situation and realistic assessment of when efforts have reached limits.

Objectively explain structural problems that couldn’t be solved by individual effort alone, such as company policy or industry characteristics.

However, keep explanations fact-based so they don’t become company criticism. Show mature judgment about when it’s time to move on, not blame.

■Related Reading

Master the complete interview process with proven strategies tailored for foreign engineers. From preparation to cultural navigation, get comprehensive guidance for succeeding in Japanese tech interviews.

7. Long-Term Career Strategy: Thinking About Reasons Engineers Change Jobs with Future Vision

Understanding the broader context of IT personnel demand and positioning your job change within long-term career strategy demonstrates strategic thinking to potential employers.

IT Personnel Demand Toward 2030 and Strategic Career Planning

According to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s “Survey on IT Personnel Supply and Demand” the IT personnel shortage will become even more serious toward 2030.

Demand for DX promotion personnel, AI and data science areas, cloud technology, and security specialists is rapidly increasing.

Position the current job change not as mere compensation improvement but as a strategic career step to acquire skills for which demand will increase.

By selecting job change destinations with an eye toward skills required five or ten years from now, you can achieve long-term career stability and increased market value.

Positioning Job Changes in Medium to Long-Term Career Strategy

Job changes are important steps to realize your career vision five or ten years from now. View it as a job change to get closer to the person you want to become rather than escape from current dissatisfaction. This makes your motivations more compelling to prospective employers.

Grasp technology trends and identify areas where demand will increase. By selecting companies where you can gain that experience, you build your career while increasing market value.

Consciously acquire versatile skills applicable across the industry rather than skills only for specific companies to broaden long-term career options and maintain flexibility as technology evolves.

■Related Reading

When planning your strategic job change for salary growth, understanding negotiation tactics and market positioning is essential. Learn proven strategies for maximizing your compensation in Japan’s competitive IT market.

■Ready to Make Your Strategic Career Move?

Your job change is more than just finding a new position—it’s a strategic step toward your long-term career goals. BLOOMTECH Career for Global connects foreign IT engineers with companies that value international expertise and offer genuine growth opportunities. From visa support to salary negotiation, we provide end-to-end assistance to ensure your career transition is smooth and successful.

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8. The Keys to Successfully Communicating Reasons Engineers Change Jobs

To effectively communicate reasons engineers change jobs in interviews, understand general motivations backed by public data, then express your own reasons positively and specifically.

Transform dissatisfaction into forward-looking language about growth ambition or career vision. Clearly communicate how you can contribute at the prospective employer.

Remember the key principles: consistency between reasons for leaving and joining, initiative rather than passivity, and specific examples rather than vague generalizations.

Position job changes as strategic moves in long-term career development to construct convincing reasons that resonate with interviewers.