Explaining change of career in an Interview

Question

How should one approach the question of change of career in an interview? What appropriate reasons can one provide that would not look bad on them. To briefly explain the situation:

My friend is a Medical professional who worked briefly in a private hospital. Soon the workplace environment made it impossible to continue and self-practice was not a viable option.

It has been a year now and he just got an interview call from a government institute in insurance sector.

Edit:

Since the question has been closed due to being deemed duplicate, let me clarify that question is not about "change of jobs". My friend is changing career from a doctor to a desk officer. That is, he will no longer be practicing as a doctor.

Nonetheless, Lawrence Aiello's suggestion seems the best option.

see also: Interviewing for jobs after a long (no work) period of absence? — gnat, Jan 27 '15 at 19:16
"made it impossible to continue" is an interpretation which does not give us anything to give advice on. Please [edit] the question and stick to the facts. — , Jan 27 '15 at 19:29
The explanation you have given has fully explained why he does not want to work in that hospital, but not why he wouldn't want to do the same job for another employer. Are there no other hospital that he could work at? — DJClayworth, Jan 27 '15 at 19:53
He got the interview what does he need to explain? They can tell from his resume he had a another type of job. — paparazzo, Jan 27 '15 at 21:42

Lawrence Aiello · Accepted Answer · 2015-01-27T17:11:34.223

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The same answer as any interview question: use it as an opportunity to show how you can help the employer and the value you can bring. For example:

"I used to love working in the hospital because insert reasons here, but have since discovered I found a passion in the insurance field, and can use the skills I have gained in the hospital to help your organization accomplish xyz."

edited Jan 27 '15 at 17:11

answered Jan 27 '15 at 16:46

Lawrence Aiello

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I would say almost the same thing, except change "no longer see myself growing" to "found that I was much more passionate about {new field}." – Wesley Long Jan 27 '15 at 17:06
I agree. How's it look now? – Lawrence Aiello Jan 27 '15 at 17:11
Works for me. Can't upvote twice, though. :) – Wesley Long Jan 27 '15 at 17:17
I agree. The OP's friend needs to work out their own positive reasons for why the OP's friend wants to switch to practicing in insurance. Nobody can work out these reasons for him because nobody knows him as well as he knows himself. It's up to him to get the prospective employer excited at the prospect of his joining the company because of what he can do for said prospective employer. – Vietnhi Phuvan Jan 27 '15 at 18:10
@WesleyLong I stuffed LwrenceAiello's ballot box with my upvote for you :) – Vietnhi Phuvan Jan 27 '15 at 18:13

Explaining change of career in an Interview

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