Reasons for Leaving a Job and How to Do It Right

Imagine that you’re in a job interview, hoping that this new job is the one that will stick. You’ve handled it well so far, but the next interview question from the hiring manager catches you off guard: “Why did you leave your last job?” You immediately let out a mental sigh and do your best to answer. You tell the interviewer that you thought you needed a change of pace and quietly hope the conversation moves onto a new topic.

 When the interview ends, you feel you did fine, but you wish you had something better to say to that question since “needing a change of pace” wasn’t the whole story. You reflect on exactly why you left, and you wonder how, in the future, you can approach the subject of leaving a job with less discomfort and more positivity.

 Why exactly do people consider leaving their jobs? Many employees decide to call it quits when they want more opportunities than what their current employer can offer them, but there’s more to it than that. It’s important to know when the time has come to say goodbye to a job and consider other, better options. But what are good reasons to leave, and how can you do it right?

No job is perfect. Even if you abide by the famous Confucius proverb “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life,” you may still encounter tiring shifts, cranky managers, and stressful workloads. Sometimes, it makes the most sense to look for a different role in the same company or choose an entirely new job altogether.

 The following list contains some of the most common reasons why people leave their jobs.

1.  Company Downturn

In many cases, local or even global economic trends can affect the well-being of a business or organization. This can result in lost clients, employee layoffs, salary reductions, and more. You may find yourself at risk of earning less money for the same amount of work or, worse, being let go. Signs of such a downturn might include a company-wide email announcement of potential layoffs, coworkers quitting, or an overall lack of enthusiasm in your department.

2. Denied Request for a Salary Raise

Perhaps you feel you deserve more compensation for the quality of your work. You’ve met or exceeded your career goals and decided to speak with your employer to request a promotion only to be told no. This can lead to a loss of motivation, lack of satisfaction, or difficulty in concentrating on your tasks. Facing this type of roadblock could be a red flag signaling that it’s time to search for a job with better career growth opportunities.

3. Company Restructuring

When a company goes through a restructuring phase, your specific role could shift. Your job responsibilities might change, or you may be placed in another team you’re unfamiliar with. Many companies miss the opportunity to discuss changes associated with restructuring, leaving employees to adapt on their own or lose a sense of belonging. In a circumstance like this, looking for another job with more stability or longevity might not be a bad idea.

4. Employee Burnout

Sometimes, a person’s workload is just too much to handle. Employee burnout is becoming one of the top reasons why people quit their jobs. The more that companies grow—or the more they feel the need to rebound after the effects of COVID-19—the more employees become stressed over increased responsibility, lack of quality free time, or poor health. You might consider starting a new job search if you feel the burden of burnout increasing.

5. Different Work Environment

Not all companies are a good fit for all employees. The type of work environment or culture you find yourself in might not align with your current needs or career aspirations. People might start looking for another work environment when they want to acquire a new skill set, collaborate with a team, or seek more promising opportunities. Maybe you’re seeking a new challenge. Don’t feel like you need to stay in your current position if what’s around you isn’t clicking.

6. Personal Reasons

Often, work doesn’t leave individuals with enough time or energy to devote to their personal lives. If a company or organization doesn’t do enough to promote effective strategies for work-life balance, its employees may decide to leave to focus on their families or their health, at least for a while. You might also need to spend time away from work to resolve a family emergency or take care of an illness.

7. Seeking Different Leadership

Company leaders differ in how they manage their employees. Some prefer a hands-off approach, trusting their employees to self-manage, while others implement more comprehensive systems of micromanagement. You may prefer one style over another. If you don’t like your current leadership, don’t hesitate to research other companies and how their leaders operate.

Once you decide to leave your job, you should contemplate how to do so in a way that doesn’t negatively affect yourself or your company. You should do all you can to remain professional and confident about the future. Below are a few steps to follow to help make leaving a smooth process.

1. Clarify the reason for leaving your job. Identify what exactly is prompting you to leave before you make it known to your employer. Changing jobs is not to be taken lightly, so be sure to have clear reasons for leaving.
2. Find the alternative solution. You should then determine whether you’ll seek another job, take a break, or focus on your personal life. Put plans in place so that when you leave, you’ll know what to do next.
3. Write a job resignation letter. Take some time to write a letter explaining your decision to leave and why you’ve reached that conclusion. You can submit this letter to your HR department or your manager so that they’re notified in advance.
4. Talk to your employer. You might find it difficult to break the news to your employer. Just remember to be clear about why you’re leaving and to avoid phrasing things in a negative light. In positive work environments, your manager wants what is best for you, and you should expect them to support your decision as long as you feel it will benefit you and your career path.
5. Establish responsibilities during your notice period. Keep in touch with your human resources contact and other leaders before you leave so that you’re all on the same page. You may need to help train a replacement, ask for a letter of recommendation, or tie up other loose ends.

Leaving a job doesn’t necessarily indicate that you harbor ill feelings toward your role, your coworkers, or your employer in general. However, you should still ensure you handle the process tactfully and respectfully. Remember to avoid:

• Complaining. It serves nobody to express disdain or voice complaints about your job. Even if your reason for leaving has to do with resentment toward an aspect of your work, be professional.
• Criticizing your employer or manager. Similarly, refrain from leveling criticism toward your leaders. If you plan on working somewhere else, stay positive and friendly toward your current manager and take that positivity with you into your next job.
• Mentioning salary as your only reason for leaving. Quitting a job for a higher salary elsewhere is a common reason for leaving. But if this is your reason, be sure to explain to your employer why you want to earn more money and how it relates to your career goals.
• Telling on your colleagues. If you’re leaving because you were slighted by a coworker, don’t rat them out. Instead, let your manager know that you’re unhappy with your work environment. Odds are that they’ll be happy to help you feel more accommodated or recommend a better team for you.

When it comes time to leave your job, you could be opening yourself up to many new and exciting opportunities, both professionally and personally. You can start fresh as you update your résumé, polish your cover letter, and determine what makes you stand out to potential job recruiters. You can leave concerns about your former employer behind and put the experience you gained at your previous job to good use. Understanding what made you unhappy at one job will help you narrow down what could make you happy somewhere else.

 As you assess your next steps, consider WGU—an accredited, online university that offers degree programs for busy adults like you. At WGU, you can advance your career as you gain industry-relevant skills in a flexible business, IT, healthcare, or education program. And did you know that within two years of graduation, WGU alumni see an average income increase of $22,000? It could just be the place to help you land your dream job.