The Candidate Super Series: 7 Good Reasons for Leaving a Job

Welcome to Part Six of the Candidate Super Series. We spend half of our waking hours every week working. Deciding to leave a job is a tough call. So, what’s a good reason to resign?

Concluding that you want to leave your job is a significant moment in your professional life. Sure, you may encounter a few challenges here and there, but if you feel deep, ongoing unhappiness towards your job role, then it’s probably time to reconsider things. Try to understand the difference between when you should work through a challenge and when it’s a good reason to leave a job.

We know there are numerous professional and personal reasons to quit a job, which we’ll look at below.

1. Your heart’s not in it

If you follow your passion in your professional career, you’re more likely to feel determined, fulfilled, and content.

In turn, you’re more productive which means better results. And, quite often, you may feel like you’re not even working at all.

However, if you feel bored and that your position is more like a job than a career, you’ll most likely feel as if you’re wasting your potential by failing to use your talent in something you genuinely care about.

If you lack passion for your company’s work, this is one of the best reasons for leaving a job – so start updating your CV now!

2. You don’t feel challenged

If you feel you’re underusing your capabilities and experience, it may be best to leave. Staying in a comfortable job may restrict your development and also lead to a feeling of dissatisfaction, particularly if you’ve asked for opportunities to use various skillsets and your senior leader or manager rejected those opportunities.

3. A toxic culture

If the work environment is unhealthy, this impacts your personal and professional life, and we advise considering a job change. A toxic work environment includes:

• Deceitfulness and mistrust among management.
• Controlling and penalising management practices.
• Harassing employees, public shaming, and poor communication.

The effects of a toxic work setting usually result in physical symptoms linked with coming to work, excessive staff turnover, and staff not talking openly because they’re afraid of retaliation.

It’s critical to be happy at work. So, if you feel like you’re in an unhealthy environment, look into coping tactics and apply them while seeking a new position.

4. The firm’s future is doubtful

While numerous organisations endure highs and lows, if the banking or finance firm you work at is failing drastically and/or is at serious risk of shutting down, we recommend leaving.

In for-profit banking companies, this is typically ascertained by their revenue and sales. Assessing your firm’s yearly accounts offers a glimpse into its potential longevity and economic health.

Financial obstacles also play a role in endangering a non-profit company’s future, as it depends on governmental assistance and subsidies to function. Other signs your organisation’s financial future may be in question include:

• Pay freezes
• Employee redundancies
• Decrease in client base
• Shutting down selected offices

5. You crave more work-life balance

While the occasional overtime is unavoidable, working around the clock constantly isn’t. If this is the case, this is one of the most justifiable reasons for leaving employment.

Working an unwarranted amount of hours during the week without sufficient work-life balance can affect your work quality and productivity, not to mention your health and wellbeing.

If you’re failing to set realistic expectations and establish boundaries with your manager, do your homework on other companies that believe in the benefits of having a good work-life balance and leave your current role.

6. You’re overworked and underpaid 

Accepting a lesser salary in favour of non-financial fringe benefits or a one-off opportunity is fine. But if you’re grossly under-compensated in your job, this is a sign you should quit your job. Being exploited suggests a disparity between what you and the firm identify as your value and growth potential.

This disparity may have numerous repercussions, such as the tasks you’re given and how long you stay with the company. If you decide to remain in this situation, you may become more resentful and frustrated due to the logistical lifestyle effects of a low income or poor healthcare benefits.

7. You fear going to work

It’s normal to feel a little gloomy about returning to work once the weekend comes to an end. It’s also normal to crave a holiday. But if the very thought of work sends shivers down your spine or you lose sleep over it at night because of worrying, then it may be a sign you need to leave.

Sure, your job can’t always be enjoyable and exciting. But, it’s vital you feel at home there. After all, full-time workers spend roughly 42.5 hours per week in work – that’s about 3,507 days in their lifetime! If you spend most of your time off fearing your return, then it’s likely to affect your health – mentally and physically.

Things to think about before leaving your position 

So, you’ve decided that leaving your role is your best bet. However, before handing in your notice, think about your timeline. Make sure you have another job to go to when you resign.

While every circumstance for leaving is complex and personal, we advise seeking a new position before leaving. Doing so alleviates the chance of losing benefits and pay and having employment gaps on your CV.

Sure, making your mind up to leave a job isn’t ideal, but it allows you to reflect on the experience and enable you to find a better fit in the future. Before starting your job hunt, pause to think about what you want from a company, position, and career path.

Top tips on resolving an issue before leaving a job

So, you’ve read our blog but still aren’t sure you want to leave. In which case, we suggest tackling the problem head-on, in an attempt to resolve the issue. With a couple of changes, it may be possible to improve your work satisfaction.

Think about how you could feel happier at work and open up with your manager about it. Tell them about what it is you want. For example, suggest ideas that will enhance your happiness, such as career development opportunities, projects, or responsibilities. You never know – your team and manager may want to work with you to keep you at the firm.