TOP 10 Reasons for Leaving a Job

You probably already know that finding a job can be difficult. Likewise, leaving a job can be equally challenging. For this reason, you need to have good, solid reasons for leaving a job.

Resigning can mean you lose benefits (health, vision, dental, insurance, etc.) and make you appear disloyal (or worse, a job hopper) in the eyes of potential employers. It can also create unwanted gaps in your resume. Perhaps the biggest disadvantage of all is that you could find yourself weeks or months without a job and without a salary.

Need a good reason for leaving a job? Here are 10

Considering all the negatives, the decision to leave a job should be given careful and serious consideration. With this in mind, here are the top 10 reasons for leaving a job.

1. Better salary and/or benefits

If you feel you are not being adequately compensated for your talents, you can leverage these to land a position in a company with a bigger budget for your position. Though loyalty still counts, leaving an employer because of a better offer from another company is a valid reason to quit your job. We all need to make a decent living, after all. 

If you feel that your current salary or benefits don’t reflect the value you bring to your role, it’s time to consider other opportunities. Being underpaid leads to frustration. Resentment, even! In many cases, the employee’s workload and responsibilities continue to grow, but the company doesn’t provide corresponding financial recognition. 

2. Career change

After spending years in the rat race, perhaps you feel the urge to finally follow your passion and shift to a career closer to your heart. Doing something you love can be a stronger pull than the need to earn more, especially if you already have some cash set aside. And that’s why a career change makes a good reason for leaving a job.

By changing your career, you’ll do more than pursue work that aligns with your values. You’ll change your entire life. You’ll give yourself a chance to reinvent yourself and renew the purpose of your professional life. 

Yes, the switch will be daunting. But if you’re unhappy with your current professional situation, a step towards growth is much needed. You may decide to pursue a dream you’ve had for a long time. Maybe you’ll be more practical and transition into an industry with greater stability. Some people need a role that leaves more space for creativity. Whatever your case is, this is a transformative step.

It’s essential to approach a career change with some preparation, though. Research the new field and identify transferable skills from your current job. Consider the additional education or certifications you might need. You’ll definitely face some challenges, but think of the reward: waking up every day excited about your work. It’s a valid reason to leave a job that doesn’t make you happy. 

3. Job no longer meets your expectations

Work environments change. Sometimes, the change is so significant that your job becomes unrecognizable from the one you started with. New management, altered responsibilities, shifts in the company’s culture, or unexpected downsizing may leave you feeling disconnected. 

If you’re unhappy with what your job has become, disappointment in your position is a valid reason for leaving a job as well.

But before you resign, it will be best to raise the issue with your higher-ups. State your concerns and give them an idea of what you think are possible solutions to the problems you’re experiencing. It’s important to share your opinions about workload adjustment, opportunities for growth, or restoring clarity to your role. Such a conversation can result in a resolution, so you might not need a new job.

If communication fails, then that’s when you should consider finding a new job that’s better suited to your qualifications and aspirations. Your time and effort are valuable. It’s time to pursue a job that’s tailored to your qualifications, aspirations, and professional values. 

4. Family circumstances

Family should be a bigger priority than your work. If you have a family member in need of care or support, working for another employer who can offer flexible work arrangements such as working from home, compressed work week, alternative scheduling, or activity-based working (ABW) can be the change you need to address your familial issues.

Of course, it pays to talk with your current employer first if they can accommodate a new work arrangement for you before you pull the trigger and quit your job. Share your situation and ask for any potential adjustments they could make. Many employers have an understanding of personal circumstances. They may offer a solution like modified hours, part-time roles, or hybrid work. 

If your employer won’t make accommodations, it’s time to seek a new position that you can fit within your family’s needs. At the end of the day, balancing work and family life requires hard choices from time to time.

5. Health issues

Like family, personal health and well-being should always come first, making health issues one of the more compelling reasons for leaving a job. In the face of burnout and exhaustion, circumstances can dictate that your resignation is in immediate effect. Staying in a demanding role when your health doesn’t allow it can lead to more serious consequences in the long term. Both your personal and professional life might suffer.

In this case, you need to write and submit a resignation letter to your employer explaining your situation in order to give them notice and professional respect. This formal notification should help your instantaneous resignation proceed in amicable terms.

But leaving doesn’t have to be the first step. Before resigning, you can discuss some adjustments with your employer. Can they offer more flexible workloads, medical leave, or work from home? They might allow you to focus on your health without leaving your job altogether. Many companies have policies that support employees during difficult times. 

If an adjustment isn’t possible and you feel like the job has a negative impact on your well-being, resigning is the best option. Your health is non-negotiable. Take as much time as you need to heal and recharge. Then, you’ll be ready to return to a job in the same field or a new one.

6. Career growth

For many years, you toiled in your position, hitting and even exceeding targets and expectations. You’ve proven time and again that you can lead and deliver. But when a higher position opened up, you felt you were unjustly passed over for someone you believed was less qualified than you. Working for a company that will believe in you and invest in your career growth might just be one of the best reasons for leaving a job, as well as the change you need to feel valued again.

There’s nothing to feel guilty about. Career growth is an important part of job satisfaction and personal development. If you no longer feel that the current role offers the challenges you need, it’s only natural to make a change. You might be interested in leadership roles, access to mentorship programs, training, or sponsorship for further education. 

First, evaluate if the company’s culture aligns with your aspirations. If your workplace has a history of favoring less-qualified candidates, don’t stay there. You need an organization that fosters growth. It will reignite the passion you initially had for your profession.

7. Toxic manager

A good manager is charismatic, compassionate, communicative, and respectful to employees. They foster a positive work environment and inspire trust. As a member of their team, you feel supported to thrive.

Unfortunately, your current supervisor is none of those things. As the saying goes, people don’t leave bad jobs—they leave bad bosses. A toxic manager doesn’t just affect your job satisfaction and overall performance. They can also impact your mental health. Facing them every day erodes your confidence and sabotages your career growth. It doesn’t matter how exciting your job is; a toxic manager makes it unbearable. 

The first step is to recognize the problem. But how do you address it? It takes courage, that’s for sure. The right way to go is to voice your concerns through proper channels, such as HR or higher management. To prove your claims, you’ll need some proof of toxic behavior. This might lead to a resolution. But if the toxicity persists, making the decision to move on is a logical next step. 

One of the most common reasons for leaving a job, life’s too short to be working for a stress-inducing manager, so if you muster up the courage to finally say enough’s enough, good for you! In some situations, you have to protect your well-being. 

8. Toxic workplace

Do you dread coming to work? Do you find yourself mentally checking out and operating on autopilot while in the office? Does a culture of cronyism, gossip, and overall negativity permeate the workplace?

These are glaring signs of a toxic work environment, so after realizing that your workplace is unhealthy and that you need to resign, you need to know how to take action in a professional manner to avoid decisions that you might regret later on. 

A toxic workplace sure makes your job unpleasant. But it does more: it undermines your professional growth and affects your long-term career development. Maybe you’re facing unproductive office politics or poor leadership. Lack of trust and a sense of disorganization are also troublesome. 

9. Entrepreneurial goals

You have an amazing business idea that you can’t wait to launch. Get ready for your turn as a manager/business owner by extensively studying its financial viability, creating a business plan, and, of course, knowing how to quit your job on a good note. Leaving your current job to pursue entrepreneurial goals is a bold step. You have to make a plan. Before leaving, conduct extensive research to find out if your planned business is financially viable. Through market research, you’ll understand your target audience, competition, and industry trends. This will give you a clear path forward. 

10. Being overqualified

You’ve laid out your skills and capabilities during your interview, but after getting hired, your employer ends up underutilizing you. It can be downright disappointing to work for a job that doesn’t offer any challenge, as the hours can get long and tedious. 

When you’re overqualified, your motivation to do the job is not perfect. It’s easy to feel disconnected and even frustrated with your work. Your peers from university are achieving so much, and you’re stuck in a role that does nothing for career growth. 

But before you consider this reason for leaving a job, let your managers know that you want to take on more responsibilities. Tell them you feel you’re more capable than your current duties assume and that you want to add value to the company. Such an approach might be enough for a promotion within the organization. You may also land cross-training or involvement in special initiatives. 

If you see no improvement after the conversation, it’s time to explore other options. This time, you have to get a job where your skills are appreciated. Search for organizations that really need your expertise and recognize your value. State that you’re looking for room for growth during the interview. Hopefully, you’ve already learned the lesson, and you won’t settle for less this time.  

Signs It’s Time to Leave Your Job

Timing is critical! You’ve endured in this position for so long. You need to exit at the right time, so you should learn to recognize the signs that tell you to move on. 

Don’t have any doubts when you recognize these signs:

• You’re not growing

You haven’t learned anything new or mastered a new skill for a long time. If you feel like there’s absolutely no room for advancement, it’s time to move on.

• The job no longer supports your goals

Over time, your career aspirations evolved. If your current job doesn’t fit your long-term vision, you should leave it as soon as you secure another opportunity.

• You have serious financial concerns

If your compensation doesn’t cover your needs, it’s time to find a role that fairly rewards your contributions. 

• Lack of respect

Do you feel undervalued or overlooked? Such an environment is detrimental to your motivation and can affect you in the long run. You shouldn’t stay in that position any longer. 

• A toll on your personal life

If your current job consumes your entire time and makes you feel disconnected from important relationships, think: is it worth the sacrifice?

The Risks of Leaving a Job without a Plan

No matter how frustrated you are with your current job, leaving impulsively is not the best idea. Leaving without a plan comes with great risks:

• Financial strain

Clearly, you’ll lose your steady payments. If you don’t have enough on the side, you’ll struggle to cover essential expenses. Keep in mind that you’ll also lose your employer-provided benefits, such as health insurance. That can lead to unexpected medical costs. 

• Not finding a new job right away

If you’re ready to leave your current job, you won’t settle for just anything, right? You want something better. Job searches can take longer than anticipated, and gaps in your resume certainly don’t leave a good impression. The pressure to find a job ASAP may lead you to a less desirable role and the same problems over and over again. 

• Emotional stress

If you leave your job without having another position secured, you’ll be uncertain about your future. No matter how self-confident you feel, that uncertainty can take a toll on your mental and emotional well-being. You may face feelings of regret if you leave without clearly planning your next steps. 

• Professional regression

On an impulse, you want to burn all bridges and walk away. But that may damage your reputation. It will make it hard for you to secure references and maintain industry connections. You need a plan so you can rely on internal networking and resources from your current employer. 

How to Reduce Those Risks

Now that you’re aware of the risks of leaving your job without a plan, you can approach the change with a strategic mindset. Here’s what to do first:

• Become financially stable

Before you leave your job, create an emergency fund with at least three months’ worth of living expenses. To achieve that, you’ll need to reduce any unnecessary spending and focus on saving. You can sacrifice this year’s vacation (and a few other things) for the sake of a brighter future.

• Secure your next opportunity first

There’s nothing wrong with exploring job openings while you’re still employed. In fact, it’s the right thing to do. Rely on your network to learn about opportunities and arrange informational interviews. You’ll need to update your resume and LinkedIn profile to reflect your current accomplishments and start networking.  

• Understand the job market

Don’t waste your time; start researching industry trends to see what the demand for your skills is. You should also focus on potential challenges. Has the industry changed in any way since the last time you were looking for a job? Maybe you should do some additional training or earn certificates to make yourself more competitive in today's job market.

• Plan your exit

No matter how frustrated you are with your current employer, you should aim to maintain a somewhat positive relationship. That’s why you should give proper notice. It’s also important to wrap up your responsibilities in a professional way before you go, so you’ll make a smooth transition.  

• Consider temporary options

If you’re not 100% sure about your next step, you don’t have to stay in a toxic working environment. You can consider part-time work, freelancing, or consulting to generate income while searching for your big opportunity.

• Seek support

Mentors and career coaches can help you define your goals and create a roadmap for your future career. You can also rely on family and friends for emotional support during this transition. As for effective job applications, you can always rely on executive resume writing help. 

How to Resign

Now that you’re ready to make the big leap, there’s only one thing bothering you: how do you do it? You don’t want to burn the bridges, so you’ll need to do some careful planning. The way you leave a position can make a lasting impression. It can also influence future opportunities and professional relationships. Here are a few tips to get you prepared:

1. Plan the Transition

Before you announce your resignation, make sure you’re ready to handle the challenges that come with leaving your job. 

• Secure your next step. In an ideal situation, you’ll have a job offer in hand or a clear plan for your next move. You want some financial stability when you leave. 

• Tie up loose ends, and prepare a detailed handover document. Your team will be without a member, so you should make the transition easier for them. 

2. Plan the Announcement

It’s time to inform your employer that you plan to leave. The way you do this will set the tone for your departure. 

• Mind the timing! It’s best to schedule a private meeting with your manager to share your decision. You shouldn’t do this during a high-pressure period. 

• Do it directly, in the most respectful way possible. Express gratitude for the opportunities you had, even if your experience wasn’t 100% smooth. You can say something like: “I want to thank you for the opportunity to work here and for all the support you gave me. However, I decided to consider a new opportunity that meets my long-term goals in a better way.”

3. Write a Professional Resignation Letter

You need to express your decision to leave in a formal letter. It’s supposed to include a clear statement of resignation. You’ll also indicate your final working day, aligned with your notice period. Don’t forget to write that you appreciate the opportunity, and you offer to assist with the transition. 

4. Maintain a Positive Relationship

Now that you have decided to leave, it’s important to stay professional until the end. Continue performing your duties diligently. Don’t speak negatively about the company and keep the relationship with your coworkers positive. On your last day, send a farewell message to your team, remembering the positive experience and expressing your best wishes.

Are you ready for your next job?

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