Best Reasons For Leaving A Job

Before You Start

The purpose of this article is to help you express your reasons for leaving in a way that will satisfy your current and prospective employers. Therefore, before reading the top 10 reasons you might want to leave your job, make your own shortlist of reasons (however vague they may be).

Keep them at the forefront of your mind as you read on.

Top 10 Reasons for Leaving a Job

1. You Are Looking for Opportunities to Progress

For example, you feel you have outgrown your position. Employers will like that you are proactive enough to look for new opportunities, so long as you:

1. Mention specific career goals – Such as a desire to take on more responsibility.
2. Appear motivated – Do not imply that you didn’t progress at your last job because you didn’t chase any opportunities.
3. Don’t badmouth your previous employer – Never imply that they were holding you back.

The Company Restructured or the Dynamics Changed

Companies grow and evolve, and internal dynamics change as a result. Acceptable answers for leaving a job will focus on the positives of the situation. Try not to appear resentful or suggest that you were unwilling to try and adapt.

You Weren’t Enjoying the Work

An employer will be impressed by your motivation to find a career which you enjoy and which fulfils you. After all, a satisfied employee is a productive one. Just make sure you don’t blame your lack of enjoyment on your employer.

Personal Reasons

Family and health always come first and are good reasons for leaving a job. But remember, you do not have to disclose your health problems or disabilities to your employer if you don’t want to. Therefore, be as vague as you like.

You Decided to Pursue Other Goals

Alternative goals might include a total career change, or a return to school to gain further qualifications.

These reasons are acceptable, but make sure you are always focusing on your professional development. For example, if you left your last job to travel the world, focus on your discovery of different cultures, and the life lessons you learned along the way.

You’re Self-Employed or a Part-Timer Looking for Full-Time Employment

Whatever the reason for becoming self-employed or going part-time, a prospective employer will be interested in your decision to return to full-time work. To satisfy them, always give positive reasons for returning.

For example, if you ran your own business which subsequently failed, focus on your entrepreneurial spirit, what you learned from the experience, and how you can bring your new skills to a full-time job.

Things You Should Avoid Saying

In addition to the top 10 reasons above, here are some things you should not say:

1. Do not criticize your employer.
2. Do not get defensive. Your interviewer is only trying to get a feel for the kind of employee you might be.
3. Avoid using unprofessional words such as ‘boring’, ‘annoying’, or ’tedious’ to describe a previous job.
4. Avoid using company politics as a reason for leaving. It can be taken as a criticism of your previous employer.

Explaining Why You Want to Leave a Job

Now you can express your reasons for wanting to leave your job, here are some tips for success in three vital contexts.

1. Your Job Application

In addition to a resume and a cover letter, many companies also require you to fill in a formal job application, which might include the question “Why do you want to leave your job?”.

• First, ensure your answer is consistent with the rest of the application. If you answer a question on career goals with, “I want to pursue a career in sea life conservation,” do not later say, “I left my last job because I hated rescuing turtles”.
• Second, keep it brief, but ensure you can expand on your reasons in your job interview. The job application is often a jumping-off point for your interviewer’s questions. Don’t say you left to pursue other goals if you don’t actually have any goals to discuss.
• Finally, focus on your professional development, skills, and career goals rather than your previous employer’s shortcomings.

2. Answering the Interview Question “Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?”

Your interviewer is asking the ‘reasons for leaving’ interview question to discover:

• Whether you left your last job for the right reasons. Your interviewer wants to know that you will be a loyal, dedicated employee.
• Whether you left of your own volition. If you were let go, your interviewer will try to gauge whether you had any performance issues that might affect you in this job.
• Whether you are on good terms with your previous employer. If you are, this suggests you are adept at maintaining relationships.

Good reasons to change jobs

There can be several reasons to change your job. Here are some good ones:

• You left your job for higher education.
• You want to change your career path.
• You have relocated to a different city.
• You got a better job opportunity.
• You got laid off due to mergers, acquisitions, or organizational restructuring.
• You want to make a greater social impact.
• There is no further growth in your current organization.
• You are underutilized or overqualified for your current role.
• You are a freelancer looking for a full-time job.
• You were a contract worker and your contract has terminated.