“I quit” — quite possibly the two most satisfying words in the English language. When you have recognized that it’s time to leave your job, the glee you will feel when saying this phrase aloud is huge. But what is a good reason for leaving a job? And how do you do it the right way?
If you think that it’s time to throw in the figurative towel, you’ve come to the right place!
Let’s take a look at the best reasons for leaving a job, how to do it professionally, and how you can explain your decision to your next employer.
What is a good reason for leaving a job? 6 Examples
People quit their job every single day… and there are plenty of reasons out there. Here are six that you may want to consider.
1. Deciding to relocate
Do you need a change of scenery? Over 10 million Americans, move states every year. Unless you happen to have a remote job, relocating means that you need to switch jobs.
Choosing to move across the country — or even further afield — is a good reason for leaving a job.
Of course, if you’re happy in your current workplace, you may want to speak to your manager about the possibility of going remote. If that is not possible, searching for new positions in the location you are moving to is the answer.
How to explain yourself: When you’re planning on making a move, the reason is pretty clear-cut. You can be 100% honest with your boss about this decision.
2. A toxic boss
Another reason for leaving a job? Dreading Mondays because your boss is toxic. Having a toxic boss can have a negative impact on your health, leading to higher levels of heart disease.
But it doesn’t end there. When you’re working with a toxic boss, it will impact how you feel about your day job. This unfortunate turn of events may lead to higher stress levels and anxiety surrounding your career.
To fix a problem you have with your boss, the first step is speaking to HR. You can organize a meeting to talk about the problems you have been having.
However, if you have exhausted this particular route, you may still decide to look for another job.
How to explain yourself: As satisfying as it may be to tell your boss exactly why you are quitting, you may want to avoid that. The chances are, you will need to rely on them for a reference. Instead, you might say that you are looking for more progression elsewhere.
3. No room for progression
While we’re on the topic of career tips and progression, if there’s no room for it at your job, you may want to leave. We all want to get ahead when it comes to our professional lives. If you’re at the top of the corporate ladder, you need a new start.
Jumping ship is not as drastic as you may have been led to believe. A massive 70% of Americans are actively looking for a change in career. Why not consider joining them?
How to explain yourself: Your boss may have seen this one coming. If there isn’t a chance for you to progress in your current company, you can be honest about your reason for leaving.
Wanting to learn new things and develop your skill set is not a bad thing. In fact, it is admirable.
4. Wanting a career change
Have you dreamed of doing something completely different? It could be a career change into a different area of your current expertise or moving into a completely new industry.
There are plenty of factors to consider when choosing a career that better aligns with the future you want that you’ll need to explore. But determining the specific kind of career change you seek is a good idea before leaving your job.
How to explain yourself: Once again, honesty is the best policy here. If you have a different type of career in mind, tell your boss the truth. If you are a highly valued employee, they may even have some advice about how to break into that new sector.
5. The company culture isn’t ideal
Finding a job and business that aligns with your values is essential. If you don’t like the company culture, it’s wise to find a business that is a better fit for you.
Company culture is about common values and ways of behaving. When these don’t align with your own outlook, you’re going to have a problem. This is another example of a good reason for leaving a job.
How to explain yourself: This is a tricky one but as part of why you are moving on, you could politely highlight ways in which the company culture could be improved in the future.
Remember, you don’t have to tell your boss why you are leaving your job if you think bringing up the flaws in company culture will create any negative feelings.
6. Wanting to start your own business
Do you have a successful side hustle that you want to take full-time? Or maybe you’re considering how to start a business from scratch. Quitting your job to spend time on your own business is a savvy move.
However, it’s vital that you ensure you’re well-prepared to go it alone ahead of quitting your job.
Make sure you have done the math. Of course, you will need to have savings to support you until the company is off the ground.
You should also make a business plan and know when your income will be stable.
How to explain yourself: Whether you tell your boss that you are leaving to start a business will depend entirely on the relationship you have with them. You may feel comfortable enough to share the news with them.
However, if you would rather keep it to yourself, you can simply say that you decided to make a career change.
Expert tip
Whatever your reasons for quitting, it’s important to remain professional. Remember this, especially if you will need references for your new job opportunities or may need to network with old co-workers in the future.
Leaving a job the right way:6 Key tips to do it right
So, now you’ve read through the above “leaving a job examples”. What happens next? Leaving can be intimidating.
However, there is a right way to hand in your resignation. Here are some tips.
1. Check your resignation terms
Most companies expect you to give two weeks’ notice as standard. Be sure that you give your resignation at the right time for you.
Of course, the resignation terms may well differ depending on your contract. You should check the terms of your resignation before you do anything else.
2. Don’t tell your co-workers first
If you’re excited about starting this new chapter in life and your career, you may be itching to tell everyone about it.
However, word can get around faster than you expect in a workplace.
Telling your co-workers about your plans before you tell your boss is a bad move. If your manager hears this news secondhand, they are unlikely to be too pleased about it.
3. Have a meeting with your boss
Before you write a formal resignation letter, it’s a good idea to have a meeting with your boss. Telling them your plans first is a sign that you have no bad intentions.
Simply explain that you plan to hand in your notice and directly say that you wanted to tell them first. You should also follow up by saying that you will give them a formalized letter. Remember, you don’t have to give them specific details or a reason for why you leaving.
4. Write a formal resignation letter
Once you’ve broken the news to your employer, you should write a resignation letter.
In most cases, this is needed to confirm that you will be leaving and give notice. Here’s an example of a resignation letter:
Dear [Employer’s name],
Please accept this letter as written confirmation of my resignation from the position of [job name] at [company name]. As advised in my contract, this is effective as of two weeks from [Insert today’s date].
Thank you for the learning and development opportunities you have provided me during my employment. Please let me know how I can help make the transition period as smooth as possible.
Kind regards,
[Your name]
The above template gives you an idea of the type of resignation letter you could write. You can leverage it as an example to create one that works for you.
5. Avoid over-explaining yourself
You may be tempted to over-explain this decision. If you haven’t left a job in a long time, the idea of doing so can be tough.
However, leaving a job is normal. Don’t make rash decisions with your career by apologizing or giving a detailed explanation. You simply don’t need to.
6. Wrap things up
You want to part on good terms. Make sure you wrap up the fundamentals of your job role and help out with the handover.
Ensuring that the transition period goes smoothly is not only helpful, but it will also help you bag that all-important reference too.
How to answer the question, “Why did you leave your job?”
Now that you’ve left your job, there’s another hurdle to get over. When you’re applying to find a new job, what should your reason for leaving a job answers be? Here’s our handy advice!
Prepare your reason ahead of time
You will get asked questions about why you left your job, so prepare your answer. Before you head to a job interview, make sure that you have this answer in your mind. That way, you won’t be caught off guard by it when the interviewer asks.
Don’t be negative about your previous company
No matter how you feel about your previous job, this move will reflect badly on you. You want to make a good impression. When you’re speaking about your ex-employer, avoid saying anything that could be seen as negative.
But do give a reason for leaving your job
The hiring manager is unlikely to be pleased with a vague response. Here are some good reason for leaving a job answers you may want to consider using:
- “I am looking for career progression”
- “I want to break into a new sector”
- “I believe that I had reached the top position in my previous company”
Show a level of confidence
Confidence is everything. So don’t be intimidated by this interview question.
When you are faced with it, be ready with your reason and put it out there in a bold way. You can try some confidence-building exercises to prepare. Show that you are secure in the decision you made and that you are ready to put in the work to succeed in your new role!
How much time should you stay at a job you want to leave?
Typically, you should give at least two weeks’ notice, if at all possible, when leaving a position. If your position is likely to take longer to hire for, you can offer to stay longer if you don’t mind doing so.
You also want to make sure you’ve made adequate plans to meet your financial obligations if you plan to leave before you find a new job. So start by bulking up your emergency cash savings.
Are there other good reasons to quit your job?
Yes, another good reason that you may choose to leave your job could be a lifestyle change. Or perhaps you want to work fewer hours to spend time with your family, or maybe your retirement savings is well-funded, and you find that a part-time job would be a better choice.
How can you prepare to find a new job?
First, determine what kind of work you’d like to do. Then, update your resume to make it stand out and start networking with others in that career field. Finally, start applying for jobs that interest you.
If you can, it’s a good idea to look for a new career and get hired before leaving your old one.
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