When an interviewer asks why you're leaving your current job, this is what to say

Generally speaking, it's best to stay positive during a job interview. No one wants to hire a Debbie Downer.

But keeping it positive gets tricky when the hiring manager asks you why you're leaving your current job.

Obviously, there's something (or many things) you don't like about it — otherwise you wouldn't be looking to move on. Still, if you're completely candid about the fact that your boss is a tyrant or the assignments are boring, the hiring manager may start to question whether you're the problem.

According to human resources veteran Toni Thompson, there are a bunch of ways to answer this question honestly — without getting too dark. Thompson, who is the head of talent and human resources at job search and career advice site The Muse, gave an example during aFacebook Live interview with Business Insider:

"Let's say that to get where you need to be, you need really great social media skills and you just aren't given the opportunity to do that in your current role because someone else is doing that … That is a perfectly valid reason as to why you might be looking for another opportunity at another company."

You can replace "social media skills" with "technical skills," or "editing skills," or whatever it is that you're hoping to develop. Above all, you want to explain why the job isn't giving you the chance to grow or to take your career in the direction you'd like.

You don't want to badmouth the company or anyone on your team. Thompson said, "The interviewer may question your character."