Top 10 Reasons for Leaving a Job (+ How To Explain Them)
By Marta Gongos Employees leave jobs for varying reasons. However, recruiters may view some reasons negatively if not communicated properly. Finding yourself in this position can be tricky and complicated when applying for a new job and asked why you left your previous position.
We’re here to help you navigate this professionally! Learn the common good reasons for leaving a job and how you can explain them gracefully.
1. Personal Circumstances
First in our top 10 reasons for leaving a job is personal matters. Health and family reasons usually fall in this category. You may have been diagnosed with a medical issue and having an extended time off from work can expedite recovery, or your family is growing and you need the time to care for everyone.
2. Lack of Growth Opportunities
Feeling unsatisfied with your current professional development is one of the good reasons for leaving a job. Caring about your career goals means looking for opportunities to excel, and leaving an organization is sometimes the best way to advance in your career path.
3. Change of Career
Do you find yourself in the wrong field and want to shift careers? It’s more common than you think with 26% considering it. Many become too comfortable with their current job or realize their profession doesn’t align with long-term goals. It’s never too late to switch paths—your next role could be your true calling.
4. Organizational Changes
Layoffs, mergers, and acquisitions cause major changes in a work environment, making you feel unsure about the future. You may encounter a new job description that doesn’t align with your career growth or have to adapt to an unfamiliar department. Employees see this as a sign to pursue a career that aligns with their expectations, which may resonate with you now.
5. Compensation and Benefits
Wanting more for yourself will always be one of the good reasons for leaving a job. We all deserve to be compensated fairly and equitably for our work, and this involves better pay and benefits.
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6. Better Work-Life Balance
You can have multiple reasons for leaving a job, and one of them could be wanting a healthy work-life balance. Being overworked leaves you no time to spend on hobbies and other activities that make you happy. This sentiment could lead to workplace burnout and affect your performance poorly.
Learn more: Improve Task Prioritization With These Tips
7. Offered a Better Opportunity
Have you asked yourself, “Should I quit my job?” even when you love your current profession? This question may come and go, but it nags even more when you receive an irresistible offer from a potential employer.
Leaving your current job for work with better pay and opportunities is perfectly valid. It might be your career’s next big break!
8. Working in a Toxic Environment
Negative company cultures make some employees dread coming to work. Poor communication, discrimination, and negative interactions put you under constant stress that affects your physical and mental health. Removing yourself from a toxic environment could be the sweet release you’ve been looking for.
9. Feeling Undervalued
Your present employer might not adequately acknowledge your contributions in the workplace. This often leads to demotivation and disengagement, giving you a reason to find a workplace that’ll value you.
10. Ineffective Leadership
Your boss can make-or-break your work experience, especially if they lack leadership skills or abuse their power. Instead of learning something new, you end up developing a negative relationship with your boss. This could lead to strained communication that prevents you both from accomplishing tasks efficiently.
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Crafting a Clear Explanation for Why You’re Leaving
Regardless of your reason, the right way to leave your job is to be professional with your employer. Leaving on a good note allows you to use your previous employer as a character reference in the future. Here’s how to part ways with your current company amicably:
- Set an individual meeting with your manager to discuss your resignation.
- Spin your bad experience, if any, into a positive one. For instance, if you didn’t get enough growth opportunities, mention the experience you’ve gained and how it has motivated you to pursue new challenges.
- When asked to provide points for improvement, provide constructive feedback.
Learn more: How to Answer: Why Are You Leaving Your Job?
Explaining Your Reason With a Hiring Manager
In a job interview, hiring managers ask about previous jobs. They want to know if your reason for leaving applies to them and see if you fit their company culture. Here’s how you can provide a substantial and professional answer:
- Avoid being vague. Always be clear about your reasons for leaving your last job.
- Be honest but don’t get too much into the details.
- Keep your answer short and ensure it’s relevant to the question.
- Always be positive. It’s unprofessional to say negative things about your previous employer, even if you had a bad experience with them.
Start Fresh—Send Your Resume to Ad Culture
Which one from the top 10 reasons for leaving a job resonates with you the most? Leaving your current job for a new one isn’t bad. It shows hunger for growth personally and professionally. Regardless of why you’re leaving a job, it should empower you to find a role that aligns with your career goals and personal needs.
Find your next stepping stone with Ad Culture, Toronto’s leading recruitment agency. Submit your resume today! Contact us to learn more about our services.
