Forbes reports that more than half of US workers are not satisfied with their current job. Unfortunately, not everyone decides to turn in their resignation. Some employees doubt the weight of their reasons for leaving work while others are just afraid of change. As a result, they come to a endpass where growing dissatisfaction harms productivity and increases the risk of being fired. Therefore, do not let the situation reach a boiling point. Instead, check out our list of the best reasons for leaving a job, revise your professional life, and take decisive action.

Acceptable reasons for leaving a job

PayScale reports that a person spends 13 years and two months of their life in the workplace. Given such an impressive time span, it is not surprising that professional satisfaction affects our overall quality of life. Therefore, employees who suppress their drive to change their career or employer are more prone to depression and burnout. We have prepared a list of the strongest reasons for leaving a current job. If at least one of them rings a bell, this is a great occasion to decide on a change.

1. You are underpaid

According to PayScale, 25% of employees think financial dissatisfaction is a good reason for quitting a job. Indeed, enthusiasm for your work will not compensate for a lack of money, especially if it is difficult for you support yourself and your family. Besides this, a decent salary proves that management appreciates your contribution, effort, and achievements. Therefore, if you feel that you always give more than you receive, maybe it’s time to monetize your skills in another company.

2. You have no career prospects

This is one of the most common professional reasons for leaving a job. Sometimes the employee takes the desired position and even gets a decent salary for their services, but they are still depressed by the idea that this is the limit and peak of their career. If you do not go with your gut at this stage, there is a good change you could join the ranks of specialists with a mid-career crisis who regret missed opportunities.

3. You don’t like what you do

Undoubtedly, no specialist is immune from hard times at work, and this is not a reason for a job change. However, if everyday duties have become an unbearable monotony and the results of your work do not bring joy and satisfaction, this is a sure sign that you are out of place. But before taking drastic measures, answer yourself what you really want to do and whether you have the necessary skills.

4. You don’t get along with the boss

The Gallup study found that about 50% of employees left the job due to disagreements with management. Indeed, if you have different visions, approaches, and priorities with your boss, this creates a stressful working environment and impedes your professional development. Additionally, you have almost no chance to emerge victorious from this confrontation since the final word always rests with the boss. So ask yourself whether you are ready to sacrifice your peace of mind for working in this company.

5. You are in a toxic working environment

Negative communication, high turnover, lack of professional ethics, and gossip of colleagues are good reasons for wanting to leave a job. When you are involved in a toxic environment, you have low productivity and motivation, as your attention is focused on survival in the company rather than direct duties. It prevents you from unlocking your potential and makes you feel exhausted after each working day. In this case, it is easier to change your job than to try to turn things around.

6. You are not comfortable with the work schedule

Steve Jobs once said: “We have to work not 12 hours, and head.”

The notorious 8 and 12 hour working days are outdated, and now according to a report from HSBC, a flexible schedule motivates 89% of employees to work more productively. If you are not happy within 9-5 business days and your company does not offer alternative cooperation options, you can think about changing your employer. But first, make sure that you understand all the features and responsibilities of an independent schedule. Register on platforms for freelancers and try to work on gigs. This can be online transcription jobs without experience or IT projects requiring a set of specific technical skills. In any case, this experience will help you test a new type of employment before quitting.

7. You have found your dream job

When you got your last job, it probably met your professional needs. But over time, your priorities may have changed, as has offers in the labor market. If your current job no longer meets your professional needs, you can monitor available vacancies and find one among them that fully corresponds to your current idea of ​​the ideal job. Send your application documents, attend an interview to clarify the details of future cooperation, and weigh the pros and cons. If you manage to arouse the interest of a potential employer and confirm your expectations, it’s time for a frank talk with the current leadership.

8. You crave new professional challenges

There are many examples where specialists developed faster than their organization. It prevented them from unleashing their potential and eventually forced them to leave their previous employer to expand their horizons. Therefore, if you feel that most of your knowledge and skills gather dust, it’s time to update your resume, write cover letters, and start your search for a new job.

What to do after you decide to quit your job?

If you have identified and accepted your professional or personal reasons for leaving a job, that is half the battle. Now you have to convey them to interested parties and take steps towards new career prospects. Our tips will help you cope with this task.

• If you are determined to quit, you should not keep your boss in the dark. First, it will deprive them of seeking a new candidate for your position while you are looking for a new job. Second, they have the right to know what influenced your decision and to identify areas for improvement.

• Create your elevator pitch for colleagues, friends, and relatives. It should directly explain the reasons for your decision to quit and your current goals, desires, and needs. It will help to avoid guesswork and unnecessary discussions and make it clear how others can support you at the current professional stage.

• If you are puzzled about how to explain your decision to quit, remember you should not blame the company and shift all responsibility to colleagues or management. It can burn bridges and damage your professional reputation.

• Why are you looking for a new job? Why have you terminated your contract with the previous company? A potential employer may ask these and other questions during the interview to clarify your background. Even if the reason you left was because of disagreements with a boss or colleagues, try to smooth things over. Focus on your desire for professional development and make it clear that you want to reach your potential in this particular company. Such an approach does not present your previous employer in an unfavorable light and proves your motivation. It will increase the credibility of your candidacy.

• If you want to avoid tricky questions during the interview, think one step ahead and state the reason for the change of work in your cover letter. This document has a one-page format, and therefore you should not go into all the details of the previous collaboration. Nevertheless, state the reason in one sentence and tell about your achievements and acquired skills at your last job. Try to keep a positive tone and focus on how your experience will help you succeed in your new position.

Wrap Up

Perhaps your unhappiness at your job confuses you and changes your usual course of life or now you see your duties, workplace, and work environment in a new light and feel that you are out of place. This is a difficult stage in your professional life. But it is necessary for your reboot. Yes, you have to ask yourself some serious questions. But only these answers will help you sort out your feelings, determine your desires, and choose a future career trajectory. Therefore, be honest with yourself and listen to your gut. Remember the question “What is a good reason for leaving a job?” does not have a universal or single correct answer. Define your formula for professional happiness and make sure that all its components are in place.

 

Olga Butyrina is a career expert at GetCoverLetter.com.