It's one of the most common interview questions — and one of the hardest to answer well. Here's how to handle it.
If you are a transfer worker in Singapore, you have almost certainly been asked this question: "Why did you leave your last employer?" It feels loaded. You might worry that the truth sounds like a complaint, or that saying too little raises suspicion. Neither feels right.
Here is something worth knowing first. Transfer workers are not a red flag to most experienced employers. Singapore's Ministry of Manpower data consistently shows that a significant share of MDWs change employers at least once during their time here. It is normal. What employers are really asking is not "what went wrong" — they are asking "can I trust this person to be honest with me?"
Be honest, but be brief
You do not owe a new employer your full employment history in detail. A clear, calm one or two sentences is enough. Focus on facts, not feelings. For example: "My employer relocated overseas and could not bring me along" or "The family's needs changed after their children grew up and they no longer required full-time help." These are complete answers.
If the situation was more difficult — a mismatch in expectations, a disagreement over rest days, or working conditions that were not what was promised — you can still answer without oversharing. Try: "We had different expectations about the role, and we agreed it was better to part ways." That is honest without being a list of grievances.
What not to do
Avoid speaking badly about your previous employer, even if you have every reason to. It rarely helps, and it puts a new employer on guard. Also avoid being vague to the point of seeming evasive. Saying only "it didn't work out" without any context tends to prompt more questions, not fewer.
Then turn it around
After you answer, you have the right to ask questions too. A good interview is a two-way conversation. Ask about the household's routine, the expected working hours, and whether there is a written employment contract. This shows you are serious — and it helps you figure out whether this employer is the right fit for you.
Employers who are put off by a worker asking clear questions are probably not the employers you want to work for.
At Anisya, transfer workers can build a profile and connect directly with employers — no agency middleman shaping how your story gets told. You speak for yourself.