REASON FOR LEAVING A JOB: How To Explain & Talk About It

Table of Contents Hide

Why Employers Ask Why You Want to Leave Your Current Job
Personal Reason for Leaving a Job
What is a Good Reason for Leaving a Job?
Best Answers to Reasons for Leaving a Job
What Not To Say As A Reason For Leaving A Job
What Is a Good Reason for Leaving a Job?
What Is the Best Answer to Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?
What Is the Best Answer for the Reason for Job Change?
How Do You Explain Leaving a Job?
What Is the Number 1 Reason Good Employees Quit?
How Do You Explain Why You Left a Job After a Short Time?
Could You Tell Me Why You Left Your Last Job?
Do You Have To Answer Why You Left Your Last Job?
Conclusion
Related Articles
References

What should you tell your boss if you are leaving your job? What are the best answers to the reasons for leaving a job? Do you need a personal reason to provide your supervisor or a potential employer for leaving your current job? One of the questions that you may expect to be asked while interviewing for a new job is why you are leaving your current one.

Both your current and potential future employers may be curious as to your reasons for departing. It’s a good idea to plan out your response before beginning your job hunt so that your reason matches your job applications and interview answers.

Here is a list of some acceptable and unacceptable reasons for leaving your job. Being diplomatic will allow you to quit your job with dignity and keep your relationship with your employer amicable.

Why Employers Ask Why You Want to Leave Your Current Job

There are a variety of reasons why an employer could ask this. They are mostly interested in learning more about your professional aspirations, preferred working conditions, and ideal duties. In addition to gauging your suitability for the job and company, they want to know how your relationship with your former employer stands.

Personal Reason for Leaving a Job

People have been resigning at unprecedented rates this year, possibly because they are reevaluating their careers or looking for new opportunities. Visier, a company that analyzes employees, estimates that 25% of them will have quit their jobs by the end of the year 2023.

Leaving a job is a common occurrence. Before the pandemic, the average length of employment was four years, and the average number of jobs had by an individual was twelve.

Why do people decide to quit, then? To address this issue, let’s examine the aforementioned cases in greater detail to learn more about a personal reason for leaving or switching a job.

#1. Career advancement opportunities

One of the main reasons people leave their jobs is the chance to develop their careers.

Most workers would prefer to see their careers improve over time. Whether or not one has aspirations of moving up the conventional “corporate ladder,” everyone has the desire to develop themselves both professionally and emotionally. They want to expand their knowledge and abilities, take on greater responsibilities, and set themselves up for long-term success, whether that success is measured in terms of money, power, or prestige.

#2. Better compensation

According to a survey conducted by the salary comparison website Payscale, higher salaries are the primary reason workers hunt for a job outside of their current company.

That’s not exactly a surprising statistic. One of the most prevalent reasons for leaving a job has been and will continue to be, dissatisfaction with one’s salary. That could be a straight raise in income or the addition of other benefits, such as retirement savings or stock options, to the job package.

#3. Career change

Job hopping is a widespread occurrence. Between the ages of 25 and 44, 29% of Americans have changed jobs since leaving college.

This occurs when people discover their chosen vocation falls short of their ideal. On the other hand, some people work for a while before realizing their dream job is something entirely different, at which point they quit their current job and start anew.

#4. Dismissal or layoff

Two of the most common reasons for leaving a job are less than ideal. For several reasons, an employee may be laid off from their job. More than seven million people lost their jobs as a direct result of the economic repercussions of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Layoffs are widespread outside of pandemics and typically occur when businesses are acquired, restructured, or attempt to minimize expenses. There are also situations where employees are let go due to reasons like poor performance. Because of the uncertain job market, you may encounter applicants who have been negatively impacted.

#5. Poor administration

It’s often said that people leave their bosses rather than the company itself. What should you do if you despise your boss and want to quit your job?

Toxic leaders have characteristics such as arrogance and an inability to take criticism well. Negative effects on morale, productivity, and performance are felt when leaders abuse their authority.

#6. Inadequacy with the organization’s culture

A person’s “culture fit” refers to how effectively their values, beliefs, attitudes, and objectives mesh with those of the company.

Even if an individual loves what they do, a lack of fit with the workplace culture is a common reason why they leave a job. Seventy-nine percent of American workers in a recent study of 1,000 workers said business culture is important to their job satisfaction.

What is a Good Reason for Leaving a Job?

A potential employer will want to know that you are leaving (or will leave) your current job for ethical reasons. They can tell you’re responsible and stable by your reason. For instance, leaving because you want a challenge rather than because you’re bored is a significantly more effective reason to leave. Both answers may have the same meaning to you, but interviewers may read them very differently.

Other good personal reason for leaving a job include the following:

#7. You’ve been given a better opportunity

Nobody may criticize you for leaving a job for a more desirable one, such as a promotion. Your desire to create a better situation for yourself shows employers that you’re ambitious and proactive.

You should have more than one reason, such as taking on more challenging duties if the new opportunity includes a pay raise. Your primary motivation being money could be off-putting to a potential employer.

#8. You want to advance in your career

Another compelling reason for leaving a job is a desire to advance one’s career.

Perhaps you’re ready for a promotion because you’ve outgrown your current responsibilities and want to broaden your horizons. Talk about your long-term career objectives and how the position you’re interviewing for will help you achieve those objectives.

#9. You went back to school to further your education

It’s not uncommon for workers to quit their job in favor of returning to school to earn a degree or other qualifications. As long as you elaborate on how this choice benefited your career advancement, this is another strong reason.

#10. Your organization restructured

Employers are aware that position elimination is an inevitable part of business reorganization. This justification for leaving is reasonable. Explain to your boss that you were let go because of a company-wide cutback in personnel rather than any specific shortcomings on your part.

#11. You are seeking other employment arrangements

Changing jobs can be done for a variety of reasons. The “Great Resignation” was caused by many people leaving their professions for various reasons, but a more favorable work-life balance and a more adaptable schedule were two of the most common ones.

#12. You have a personal reason

Although your career is essential, your health must come first.

There are a variety of personal reasons, such as illness or a family emergency, that cause people to quit their jobs. Personal family matters do not need to be disclosed. Answer quickly while still conveying why you’re the best candidate for the job.

#13. You’re trying to change careers

Your aims are fluid and subject to change. It takes courage and a good reason to leave your current job if your employer cannot support your desired career path.
It reveals that you are to pursue your passions despite the risks involved.

Best Answers to Reasons for Leaving a Job

Explaining your job search is a good idea for many different reasons. People move from one job to another as they progress in their careers for a variety of reasons, including the desire to learn new skills and work in different settings.

The key to a good interview is thorough preparation. Here are some interview tips and the best answers to reasons for leaving a job interview question:

#1. “I want to advance in my current position.”

Some businesses may offer greater room for advancement than others due to the way they’ve been organized. If you want to go on a different path, it could be difficult to switch teams or departments. A common reason for leaving a job is the desire to advance in your career.

#2. “I’m looking to make a U-turn in my career.”

People today frequently dabble in several various vocations and professions during their working lives. Changing careers is a good example of why you would want a new job, as it can include going back to school, switching industries, or otherwise redirecting your professional efforts.

#3. “I want to pursue a better opportunity.”

Maybe you’re thinking of quitting your job because you’ve found something better. It is appropriate to look for a new job when a better one becomes available, whether that implies a better working environment, higher salary, or a more compatible mission with your personal values.

#4. “I left to pursue an advanced degree.”

Employers are aware that it is difficult for some people to pursue both a full-time job and an academic program. Leaving a job to pursue higher education is a typical reason and demonstrates dedication to your career ambitions, especially if you are switching industries.

#5. “A former coworker of mine has offered me a job.”

The fact that a former coworker took the time to contact you and refer you to their company indicates networking skills and teamwork abilities to the hiring manager.

#6. “I got fired” or “I was laid off”

This is a common occurrence, and it’s natural to feel nervous about discussing it when applying for jobs. Please read these rules carefully and take your time preparing a response.

Tell the truth, but leave out the tangents.
The word “fired” should be avoided if at all possible.
Explain what you learned from the situation.
Focus the interviewer’s attention on the reasons you’re an ideal candidate for the job.

What Not To Say As A Reason For Leaving A Job

After carefully considering your reasons for leaving a job and writing them down, you should give some thought to how an interviewer would take those answers. Some reasons that might not come out well in an interview are listed below, along with some suggestions for how to handle them.

#1. “I don’t like the company.”

There are both good and bad aspects to the company you are interviewing with. To respond more positively and straightforwardly consider the reasons you dislike your employer.

#2. I would like a raise.

You should carefully consider if this is the reason you want to convey, as interviewers may take it in unexpected directions. If you think it needs to be discussed, you might choose to frame it in terms of incentives and what drives you to take on difficult tasks with high payoffs.

#3. “I’m bored at work”

You probably feel discontent in your current position because of this reason for wanting to leave. This usually indicates that the work you are performing is not challenging you or doesn’t make use of your expertise. Explain this by focusing on the knowledge and experience you wish to gain.

#4. I don’t like the hours at my job.”

Tell the interviewer if the schedule and availability of your potential new job are major factors in your choice to accept the position. However, how you frame your response is really important. Not wanting to give the impression that you’re not prepared to put in the effort is crucial.

What Is a Good Reason for Leaving a Job?

Good reasons for leaving a job and starting something new include the following:

Financial crisis hits the company hard.
Merger and/or acquisition.
Reorganization at the company.
Progress in one’s profession.
Changing fields and careers.
Career advancement.
New office culture.
increased financial reward.

What Is the Best Answer to Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?

“I’m bored with my current job because it doesn’t challenge me enough.”

What Is the Best Answer for the Reason for Job Change?

27% of people are hoping for a job change so they can have a better work-life balance, making it one of the top three reasons for a job move.

How Do You Explain Leaving a Job?

Here are five reasons for leaving a job that might be seen favorably by an employer:

Enhanced professional prospects, including more responsibilities.
To switch fields professionally.
Corporate restructuring.
Better work-life balance.
Relocation.

What Is the Number 1 Reason Good Employees Quit?

Lack of flexibility

The Pew Research Center found, for example, that 45% of workers departed because they weren’t given enough control over their schedules. Many workers also have issues with the company since they want the option to work from home.

How Do You Explain Why You Left a Job After a Short Time?

When I first started, I thought I’d have a lot of leeway in my work, but I quickly learned that wasn’t the case for several reasons.

Could You Tell Me Why You Left Your Last Job?

Answers to the question, “Why did you leave your previous job?”

Not enough room for advancement
Wanting a new challenge.
Profession switch.
Fired.
Laid off.
Family responsibilities

Do You Have To Answer Why You Left Your Last Job?

Yes. You must have a good reason for leaving your job, and it must be in line with your professional goals.

Conclusion

Think about these while you complete your answers and brainstorm possible ways to respond to follow-up questions. Keep in mind that it is fairly typical for people to change jobs. Your potential employer has probably also experienced job loss, so they will have empathy for your situation. Be specific about your reasons, prepare your response, and keep the discussion focused on why you’re the best candidate for the job.