text: i'm asked on a employment application a reason for living present employer. examples of how to answer this.   if you are still working there, it's best to say that you are looking for a more challenging / fullfilling position.  that would be true...right?  if you've already left, some version of the truth works best.  it's good to say that "my skills and the needs of the company were not a good match".  be prepared to give a few examples.  if you were fired for some serious performance issue, you should at least try to negotiate a "neutral" reference from your prior employer (name, dates of employment and rate of pay).    most previous employers don't want the potential hassle of giving a bad reference that may backfire on them.  if you want to find out what they're saying, try having someone you know and trust who owns a business call and ask for a reference on you.   you may be surprised by what you hear.