11 reasons for leaving a job: examples & how to explain them

If you’re afraid of being asked in an interview why you’re moving on from your current role, you may find solace in reviewing good reasons for leaving a job examples. You might be having a great interview with a recruiter or hiring manager and then find this question to be a stumbling block. 

Everyone quits jobs for different reasons, some of which may be personal. Whatever your reason for leaving is (or was), you need to be prepared to talk about it in an interview or on a job application in a way that positively reflects you as a candidate. Your answer needs to be forthright and genuine but also has to convey who you will be as a future employee.

Preparing for this question before a job interview can determine what kind of impression you’ll leave on your possible future employer. Reviewing examples and practicing your response can go a long way toward building confidence the next time you get asked this question in an interview.

11 good reasons for leaving a job examples

Whether you’re rethinking your career or looking for a better opportunity, moving on from a job and telling your boss you’re quitting is normal. In recent years, many people have been quitting at high rates. According to a survey conducted by ResumeBuilder in July 2024, 28% of workers were likely to quit their jobs by the end of the year. 

Even long before the COVID-19 pandemic, many people worked for their employer for an average of only four years. They also held more than 12 jobs on average throughout their career. 

Many things motivate people to quit. Here are some good reasons why employees leave or change jobs to help you answer why you are leaving your job.

1. Career growth opportunities

According to a survey conducted by Instructure, the opportunity to advance your career through professional development is one of the biggest motivators for leaving a job.

Employees want their careers to move on an upward trajectory. Regardless of whether they aspire to climb the proverbial “corporate ladder,” people want to grow personally and professionally. 

The same Instructure survey also found that 70% of employees admit they’re more inclined to leave their current employer for an organization that invests in their learning and development.

Employees desire to develop their business skills, take on more challenging roles and responsibilities, and position themselves for success over time. Career goals, financial rewards, or a desire for status and recognition can drive their ambition to seek new opportunities. This is a perfectly acceptable reason for leaving a job and can be explained to your interviewer in a way that shows your desire for growth.

2. Better compensation 

Compensation is and always will be one of the most common reasons for quitting a job. A Payscale survey revealed that pay incentives are the top reason employees look for a job outside their organization. 

That’s not a surprising statistic. Pay incentives can mean a higher salary or a combination of pay and other types of employee rewards and job benefits like retirement and stock options. However, even if compensation is your sole reason for leaving, it’s better to focus on how the new role is a better fit for you professionally.

3. Career change

Career changes are another common reason for leaving a job. According to a 2023 FlexJobs survey, 83% of workers are either actively trying to make a career change or have attempted to change careers.

This can happen when people realize their chosen profession doesn’t quite align with their expectations. Other times, people discover their dream job is something completely different and decide to pursue a new career path altogether. 

If your current company can’t accommodate your goals or new career path, your desire to resign is a brave and valid reason. It demonstrates your willingness to get out of your comfort zone and go after what you really want. This can be a great way to explain your reasoning in an interview.

4. Layoffs or being let go 

Some of the top reasons for leaving a job aren’t exactly voluntary. Being laid off or pushed out of your job can happen for many reasons. For example, the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic caused more than 23 million people to lose their jobs. 

Outside of the pandemic, people commonly get laid off when companies are acquired, restructured, or when they cut costs. Other times, employees are terminated or fired for various reasons, such as poor work performance. With job security threatened, it’s now commonplace to come across candidates who have been negatively impacted. 

If you’ve been laid off, be sure to mention in your interview that it had nothing to do with your performance and that you left on good terms.

5. Bad management 

As the popular saying goes, employees leave managers, not companies. It’s valid if you hate your job because of management or if you left because of toxic leadership (including your boss), but those reasons can be harder to explain. You can simply tell the interviewer that your current situation wasn’t aligned with your professional development and leave it at that.

Qualities of toxic leaders include an inability to receive feedback and an arrogant attitude. Leaders who abuse their power have a negative effect on employee morale, productivity, and performance. Eventually, toxic management drives employees to resign from their jobs.

6. Lack of fit with company culture 

A “culture fit” is how well an employee aligns with a company’s values, beliefs, attitudes, and goals. A lack of fit with workplace culture is the reason many employees leave a job, even if they love what they do. A research study by Speakap found that 74% of American and UK employees surveyed say company culture is important to them and their job satisfaction. Additionally, 58% would go to a competing company if it had a better company culture.

If you’re looking for a better culture fit, try to focus on the work environment, such as saying you’re looking for a more supportive or collaborative work environment.

7. You’re offered a better opportunity 

No one can fault you for leaving a job to take advantage of a better opportunity, such as a more senior role. Your desire to create a better situation for yourself shows employers you’re ambitious and proactive. 

If you’re driven by the new opportunity because of a pay increase, it’s best to combine that with another reason, such as taking on more complex assignments or more responsibility. A new employer might be put off if your main motivator is money.

8. Pursuing additional education

People often quit their jobs to go back to school and pursue a degree or other qualifications. This is another good reason for leaving a job as long as your answer explains how this decision helped your professional development. 

For example, maybe you pursued a project management certification that prepares you for a more senior project management role. This reason offers a good opportunity to demonstrate to your interviewer that you’re willing to continually learn and invest in yourself.

9. Your organization restructured 

Companies sometimes undergo internal restructuring that changes or eliminates roles. This is an acceptable reason for leaving a job. If you were part of a round of layoffs due to downsizing, for example, explain to your potential employer that your discharge wasn’t based on your performance. 

If your role still existed after the restructuring but changed significantly, you can explain how the changes didn’t align with your professional goals.

Either way, focus on the positives of the situation. Show recruiters how you added value to your previous role and how you’ll contribute to this one.

10. You want a different work arrangement or better work-life balance

There are a lot of reasons why people look for a different work arrangement. For many employees who left their jobs during the “Great Resignation” of 2021, the reason was to cultivate a better work-life balance and a more flexible schedule. 

For instance, if you’ve become a working parent, you may want a remote job that allows you the flexibility to work from home and be a caregiver at the same time. 

Briefly explain to your hiring manager or recruiter how the role you’re pursuing is a better fit for you. Show the value you can add and focus on how it can enable you to get more work done. Assure them that remote work allows you to manage your time better, and give examples of how you’ve been able to do this.

11. You have a personal reason 

Work is important, but your health and well-being is a top priority. Many people leave their jobs when they’re faced with personal reasons like health issues or family emergencies. 

You don’t need to disclose personal or family matters. Sometimes, saying, “I had to leave for personal and family reasons,” is enough as long as you explain why you’re ready to reenter the workforce. Keep your answer brief, and reiterate why you’re a good fit for the role you’re interviewing for. 

Why do employers ask about your reasons for leaving a job?

Asking why you quit your job in an interview or on a job application can tell a potential employer a lot about your career ambitions and priorities. This is ultimately a behavioral question, so your response can reveal a lot about your character and professionalism. 

A prospective employer wants to know if you’ve left (or plan on leaving) your roles for the right reasons. A good reason shows them you’re stable and responsible. 

For example, leaving because you’re looking for a challenge is a much better answer than leaving because you got bored. In your mind, both answers might mean the same thing, but interviewers can interpret them completely differently.

Here are a few things hiring managers want to know when they ask this interview question: 

• Whether you’ve left on good terms
• What job satisfaction and engagement look like to you
• Your desired workplace environment
• Whether you’re a good fit for the role and organization 
• Your level of commitment to your work
• Your personal goals and values 
• Signs of performance issues

To make a good first impression, keep your answer positive and brief. 

Best methods for explaining your reasons for leaving

The best answer for why you’re leaving a job is genuine and honest. Remember, employers often care more about your character and work ethic than the exact reason you turned in your resignation letter.

When it comes time to answer this question in your interviews, here are a few best practices to keep in mind:

• Be transparent: Don’t lie or make up a story. Be truthful. You can reframe some of the most negative reasons for leaving a job in a positive way.

• Stay positive: Focus on the good things you’re taking away from your previous employer, even if you left because of a toxic work environment. Never bad-mouth your former company, as it can raise a red flag with your future employer.

• Be concise: Keep your answer short and sweet. The interviewer doesn’t need to know every detail. Provide a high-level reason and move on.

• Share how you quit professionally: If you gave your boss at least two weeks’ notice, participated in a thoughtful exit interview, and made sure your coworkers had what they needed before you said farewell, mention these things. It showcases respect for your previous employer and team, which can be a good sign for your potential new employer.

• Focus on the future: Your answer should always come full circle, back to why you are the best candidate for the new position. You can talk about what you learned and how you hope to grow in this new role.

If you find yourself stuck on coming up with the best way to explain your situation, consider getting outside help from a career coach or professional coach. A coach can help you shape your message, practice your answer through mock interviews, and help you land your next new job.

Nail down your reasons for leaving a job with a career coach

While looking at good reasons for leaving a job examples can be helpful, it’s important to remember that your situation is unique. Try to be as honest as possible about your reasons for leaving. Writing down your reason beforehand can help you prepare for this question, giving you time to think through it in advance. 

Navigating a career change on your own isn’t easy. Achieve your career goals by working with a BetterUp Coach to gain interview confidence.