10 Best Reasons for Leaving Your Job & Ways to Tell Your Boss

Leaving your job is always a difficult decision to make. Your job provides purpose, hones passions, and ensures stability, so quitting is never a walk in the park. It requires a thorough decision-making process that considers your past experiences, present circumstances, and future plans. Your reasons for leaving a job should be fair, viable, and acceptable not only to the company but also to yourself. 

Do you feel as if you already spend too much time and energy at work than at home? Are you feeling unsatisfied being part of your present team? Do you no longer find meaning in your daily tasks? Are you tired, drained, and unhappy? The bigger question: Are these valid reasons for leaving a job? 

Leaving a job for personal reasons is plausible as long as it is also grounded on logic and not mere emotions. Do not quit just because you’re bored. What is causing that boredom? Take actionable steps to try to rectify the situation first before jumping the gun and quitting. Personal reasons for leaving a job are those that are within your control, such as searching for advancement for your career journey or looking for a better salary to match your growing needs. There are also reasons brought about by changes outside your control. In this case, leaving a job is due to professional reasons, like company downturns or restructuring. 

Be it for personal or business circumstances, it’s always best to give good reasons on why you’re leaving a job. Before you speak with your superior or write that resignation letter, make sure to pin down an acceptable and consistent reason by checking the list below. 

Most acceptable reasons for leaving a job

Here are some of the common reasons jobseekers provide for leaving a job, as well as ways to tell your employer about them in your resignation letter or during the exit interview. 

1. You crave new challenges

Feeling like your status has turned stale and your skills are no longer progressing? Or maybe the daily tasks have become too trivial or mechanical? It’s always good to look for challenges to improve your skill set. And if your present job does not offer that, it would be wise to find them elsewhere. 

What to say: “I’m looking for an opportunity that provides more challenges in my day-to-day functions. I believe this is crucial in developing my skills and abilities.”  

2. Your personality doesn’t align with the company culture

Feeling left out and alone? Trace the source of this sentiment and you might realise that it stems from a company culture that doesn’t agree with your personality. Not all work environments can be considered a right fit for every employee. Sometimes leadership also enters the picture and challenges your beliefs. At this point, it’s best to consider moving on.  

What to say: “A company’s culture is an important factor in the career growth of an employee. As much as I treasure the opportunity to be part of this organisation, I know that I will be a better fit in a company with a culture that aligns with my character.” 

3. Your company is undergoing organisational restructuring 

Restructuring can alter your job description, which can then lead to feeling dissatisfied. Was your entire team eliminated, leaving you lost and confused? Are your current responsibilities far from what you initially expected? Maybe it’s time to consider resigning.

What to say: “Unfortunately, I was impacted by the company restructuring, upending my current role and leaving me confused as to my job description. As such, I believe it is in our best interest for me to reconnect with my network and research opportunities.”

4. Your values no longer align with the company mission

As with any relationship, you have to agree on the most important things to prosper. But what happens when you no longer meet eye to eye? Whether in a personal or business setting, this situation is common, and the appropriate step is to leave and find growth in a different company. 

What to say: “I love my role, my coworkers, and the time I have spent here in this company, but I’ve come to a point where my values rest outside the organisation. I wish to take this opportunity to explore and further my career path elsewhere.”

5. You need to leave for your family

Is your partner being assigned to another location and will need to relocate the family? Do you need time to care for a family member with health difficulties? Or maybe you’re choosing to focus on building a family and considering parenting as a full-time job? You can’t compromise family for anything else. 

What to say: “As much as I value my present job, there is nothing more precious to me than my family. A flexible schedule will be more beneficial, but otherwise, it would be in our best interest to focus all my time and energy on them.”

6. You want a job that offers career advancement 

A lack of opportunities for career growth is one of the reasons for leaving a job that you should highly consider. You do not want your career to hit a dead end so early or leave it to stagnate. You want to progress, and if your current company can’t offer this, it’s high time to think about leaving.  

What to say: “I can’t deny that I enjoy my current role, but at this point in my career, I am searching for bigger challenges and the right position that will allow me space for professional development.”

7. You are eyeing better compensation 

Life happens, and sometimes that entails increasing living costs to sustain your needs and your household’s. Maybe you welcomed a new member to your family, or you moved to your own home. Or sometimes, a position in another company offers a better package that can upgrade your lifestyle.  

What to say: “Compensation is a key factor for me as I am the main provider for my family. At present, the benefits I get from my role can no longer support our needs.” 

8. You are considering jumping to a different industry

Career changes aren’t always linear. Sometimes it involves a major leap towards a totally different industry. Why not listen to your gut and follow your bliss? Who knows if this is where you’ll find not only success but immense career satisfaction? Embrace the change!

What to say: “This may come as a surprise, but I am considering moving to the industry. I believe that my time here has equipped me with the right perspective to explore this new trajectory in my professional life.”

9. Your company wasn’t effective in managing a downturn

Don’t wait until your company goes out of business! When the going gets–too–tough, such as when you notice that clients start leaving or other employees are being laid off, you might want to save your career and jump ship. 

What to say: “It has come to my knowledge that some members of other teams are being dismissed due to the present crisis. I understand that this is necessary to safeguard the interests of the company. In the same light, I feel that I should already offer my skillset where it can be most efficiently used.”

10. You found a better opportunity

The right opportunity easily comes and goes, so if it is presented to you, grab it and don’t let it go–even if it means leaving your current job. It may sound like a simple justification, but it’s one of the valid reasons for leaving a job that is hard not to celebrate. 

What to say: “I have been presented a wonderful opportunity to advance my career and improve my skills. I value the many lessons I have learned while in this present role and will certainly use them to further my growth.” 

Worst reasons for leaving a job

Can a reason be considered invalid? While Malaysia’s Employment Act 1955 states that employers cannot technically reject a resignation, it’s still best to give a reason that will not put you in a bad light. You don’t want to burn bridges, so the reason you provide shouldn't be offensive. Here are some reasons you should never use: 

• I’m not enjoying the tasks. 
• My boss is weird. 
• The schedule is too tight. 
• My friend told me to quit.  
• I don’t like the facilities. 
• The work is too easy. 
• There’s too much overtime. 
• My teammates are inefficient. 
• I’m better than my boss. 
• It’s a bad company.  

Your next move

Now that you’ve contemplated the reasons for your leaving your job, it’s time to make an actionable plan with your next steps. It’s important to remain professional with all your dealings, even if you are already nearing your exit. Make sure to leave on good terms and show respect to the company, your superior, your teammates, and the role that you treasured for some time. And don’t forget to say thank you. Gratitude always goes a long way. 

To get started on your job search, update your JobStreet profile and look at #JobsThatMatter on the website and via the app. More career advice can be found at Career Resources to help guide your next steps.