Top 10 Good Reasons for Leaving a Job & How to Explain

Leaving a job surely is a tough decision for most of us. But, from HR's perspective, they are used to the fact that people come and go, regardless of their position. Therefore, it is completely normal for employees to resign and change jobs for better career opportunities.

Once you’ve made up your mind to quit, the next thing to be prepared for is telling the reason for leaving your job. That is because you’ll definitely have to explain it on several occasions like in your exit interview, the job application process, or in countless job interviews (if you apply any).

In order to maintain a professional relationship with your soon-to-be ex-employer, going through some guides on how to quit your job could be a big help. In this article, we will navigate you through 10 good reasons for leaving a job and help you get through a smooth resignation process with several tips and examples.

In your current employer’s point of view, it is essential for them to know the reason for leaving a job. It helps them understand the employee’s circumstances or obstacles they are facing while being employed. The main reasons are as follows:

To collect data.

Employers want to keep a record of employees’ resignations. That way, they can come back and review the record anytime they need. For example, when an ex-employee decides to return to work with the company. Also, the recorded information would always stay in the company’s system despite any future changes of HR employees.

To analyze what they’ve done wrong.

It is in the best interest for any company to retain talents. Knowing the employees’ reasons for leaving a job can help them investigate why they are losing their staff. Possible reasons can vary from poor management to toxic work culture. The collected information essentially helps the company improve in the future.

To show that they really care about your career path/growth.

In the end, the company does care about you and the career path you decide to take. They want to know if something is preventing you from performing your best at work, or what kind of career path that you want to pursue. This is their last chance to discuss with you and make any adjustments that might change your mind about leaving the company.

At some point, you might sense some signs that it is time to quit your job. And when that time comes, you should leave your current company gracefully and maintain professional relationships with them. Therefore, “I didn’t like my boss” might not be the best reason for leaving your job. Here are 10 good reasons for leaving a job:

1. The job doesn’t align with your life/ career goal.

This can happen to anyone whose job doesn’t match with their long-term life or career goals. You might want to work remotely, or one day you might wake up and find your job as a web developer not as enjoyable as being a software tester.

Whichever the case, considering a career change might be the best way out. This common reason for leaving your current job is reasonable enough to convince your employer that you are determined to pursue other career aspirations.

2. Striving for career advancement (job promotion).

You have put all of your effort in your work and nailed your OKRs, but have been stuck in the same position for years. It gets even worse when your company hires someone externally or promotes another employee for a higher position that you are more qualified to do. 

Telling your employer that you need career advancement is, therefore, rational enough to answer the question “what is the reason for leaving your job?” If the company cannot support your professional advancement, then it makes sense to just let you grow elsewhere.

3. You have to relocate.

You might be happy about everything with your current job. But, one day, you decided to move back to your hometown to take care of your parents. Or, your spouse might have received a great career opportunity in another city. So, moving to be closer to your family are valid reasons for leaving previous jobs. 

Relocation is often driven by personal needs and well-being, and it has nothing to do with the company you are working with. That’s why prioritizing family is an acceptable reason for leaving a job.

4. Dealing with physical/ mental health issues.

Work is important, but health always comes first. If you have an accident that needs long-term recovery, or have been diagnosed with a severe sickness, it is very important to have proper care and support before anything else. 

Other than physical health, employees with mental health concerns due to a toxic work environment causing stress, might also consider quitting their jobs. Health should be the top priority, so it is regarded as one of the best reasons for leaving a job.

5. Your family needs you.

It’s totally an acceptable reason for leaving a job for a while because of family matters. Your family member might need special care and support, so working full-time might not suit your circumstances. Finding a new job with a flexible work schedule or one that allows remote work could be a better option.

6. You want to continue your studies (Masters/ PhD).

After a certain year of work experience, you might want to go back to school and pursue an additional degree. Whether you’re aiming for master’s, PhD, or other qualifications, it’s the best reason for leaving a job since you will need a lot of time and dedication to accomplish it. Obtaining advanced diplomas can also open doors to career advancement opportunities like higher-level positions and higher-paying roles.

7. You’re overqualified for the role.

Not being able to fully utilize your skills, knowledge, and experience can certainly make you feel less satisfied with your job. Instead of doing what you do best, you end up sitting back and doing repetitive tasks that don't lead to any professional development. Eventually, you’ll lack motivation, making this a good reason for leaving a job.

8. You want a more challenging job.

This might sound a bit cliché, but it’s one of the most popular reasons for leaving a job. If your job is not challenging, it directly affects your personal growth. So, it’s sensible that you would want to move forward for a more challenging role in another place. Even though it comes with greater responsibilities, it can definitely help you climb the career ladder that you’re aiming for.

9. You’re looking for a new work environment/culture.

In a recent survey conducted by Flexjobs with 2,202 participants, it was discovered that 62% of respondents cited a toxic company culture as a top reason for leaving their jobs. If you feel like you don’t fit in with the work culture, or work environment you are in, then it’s sensible to quit your job.

You might be looking for a company that values work-life balance, or one that has a flatter organization structure. Whichever the case, it makes a good enough reason to move on. But, make sure to communicate your reason for leaving your job without creating any negative feelings with your employer.

10. Seeking skills development.

A job that doesn’t push you to acquire new skills might not be ideal in the long run. Everyone wants to climb their career ladder, and you need advanced knowledge and skills to do so. Plus, expanding your skillset can make you more competitive in the job market of your field. So, don’t be afraid to tell this reason for leaving your job to your line manager because it makes complete sense. 

Now, comes the hard part. Before writing down your resignation letter, you’ll have to explain your reason for leaving your job to your supervisor or manager. It might not be as easy as you imagine, especially if you’ve always been on perfectly good terms with them.

Here are 5 tips on how to answer the reason for leaving your current job:

1. Be honest.

The number one rule to explain about your departure is to just simply be truthful. No matter what your reason for leaving your job is, be straightforward about your motivations. Also, remember to focus on the positive aspects of your decision, and emphasize how the experience you gained can contribute to your future career growth.

2. Stay professional.

Another tip to quit your job smoothly is discuss your reason for leaving your current job with a respectful manner. You can still be yourself, but always keep in mind that your relationship with the company is long term. You never know where life takes you, so there’s still a chance that you could cross paths again in future. For example, project collaborations, networking events, or even end up back in the same company. Who knows?

3. Be clear and concise.

Keep your explanation concise and get straight to the point. Though you want to elaborate all the details to the reasons for leaving your job, a brief response is more effective than a lengthy one. Also, practicing your explanation in advance can help boost your confidence to deliver it clearly.

4. Avoid blame or negativity.

Though you might’ve had enough of a toxic work environment in your current workplace, burning bridges is the last thing you want. So, it’s important to refrain from badmouthing your previous employer, colleagues, or workplace. Instead, focus on your personal growth and goals, and explain  your reason for leaving your job in a professional and constructive way. 

5. Stay future-oriented.

Looking for new challenges or seeking skill development are good reasons for resigning from your job. You can simply explain your reason for quitting your job by pivoting the conversations toward your future goals. Highlighting how the new job aligns with them also demonstrates that you have a solid plan for your long-term career journey.

Gathering your courage to tell your manager the reason for quitting your job can be intimidating. But, you still have to let them know at some point. In fact, there’s nothing to be worried about since there are many approaches to inform them while still remaining on good terms. Let’s take a look at several reasons for leaving job examples:

Life/career goal not aligned to the job 

Continuing additional study (Master’s/ PhD)

Looking for a more challenging job

Looking for a new work environment/culture

Seeking skills development

Conclusion

We’ve covered all the details to help you come up with good reasons for leaving a job. Now, you know why employers want to know your reason for resigning from your job, as well as learn some useful tips and examples for explaining why you want to leave. 

Once you’ve made your decision to depart from your company, there are countless job opportunities you can find from CakeResume. As one of the best job sites, you can expect a wide range of careers to apply for. So, don’t miss out the chance to get your new dream job and apply now!

— Originally written by Ainee Setthamalinee —