The more senior the interviewer’s position in the company the greater your chances: They’re more likely to have the bigger picture in mind and hire you for what you could bring to the business, provided they don’t think that this is just a very short term stop gap. I’d go for something like:

“I’m guessing you didn’t start out as the MD of a fully fledged company – and maybe you made a few moves that others thought were sideways or backwards at the time…

Your company has a good reputation – it’s growing whilst others in this industry are struggling to stand still – who knows what opportunities may open up down the line?

Meanwhile I can do the job that you need filled right now – and probably better than anyone else I know…”

A more junior interviewer (who’s position you may already have held elsewhere) is more likely to feel threatened UNLESS you can allay their fears that, once in the door, you’ll be after their job.

In that situation I’d go for something like:

“You’ll have already seen from my CV that I’ve held higher posts – and that obviously doesn’t bother you or we wouldn’t be having this conversation…

I’ve been ‘married to the job’ before and I’m not saying it’s without its rewards. Yet my priorities over the next few years are to wake up work days knowing that I’ll enjoy the day ahead WITHOUT the extra managerial and training responsibilities that often mean working long into the evening and weekends.

And I can put that extra energy into my relationships with family and friends.

And you get an experienced hand…:-) “

The more senior the interviewer’s position in the company the greater your chances: They’re more likely to have the bigger picture in mind and hire you for what you could bring to the business, provided they don’t think that this is just a very short term stop gap. I’d go for something like:

“I’m guessing you didn’t start out as the MD of a fully fledged company – and maybe you made a few moves that others thought were sideways or backwards at the time…

Your company has a good reputation – it’s growing whilst others in this industry are struggling to stand still – who knows what opportunities may open up down the line?

Meanwhile I can do the job that you need filled right now – and probably better than anyone else I know…”

A more junior interviewer (who’s position you may already have held elsewhere) is more likely to feel threatened UNLESS you can allay their fears that, once in the door, you’ll be after their job.

In that situation I’d go for something like:

“You’ll have already seen from my CV that I’ve held higher posts – and that obviously doesn’t bother you or we wouldn’t be having this conversation…

I’ve been ‘married to the job’ before and I’m not saying it’s without its rewards. Yet my priorities over the next few years are to wake up work days knowing that I’ll enjoy the day ahead WITHOUT the extra managerial and training responsibilities that often mean working long into the evening and weekends.

And I can put that extra energy into my relationships with family and friends.

And you get an experienced hand…:-) “