11 Good Reasons for Leaving a Job

Deciding to leave a job is a tough decision. We spend roughly half of our waking hours each week at work. The time, energy and, often, heart we put into earning a living is considerable. There’s great personal satisfaction as an employee willing to contribute to an organization over time. Plus, having a stable job is crucial, especially in an uncertain economy.

What Are the Main Reasons for Leaving a Job?

While no job will ever be perfect, sometimes it makes good sense to look for a new position. Not sure if you're at a point where you should?

Here are 11 good reasons for leaving a job and trying something new:

Business Acquisition or Merger

When one company acquires another or two organizations combine, it can be a great opportunity to reassess your role within the business and explore the potential for a different position elsewhere.

Company Downturn

If your business has hit a rough patch, has lost clients or is laying off employees, it may be time to consider seeking another employer.

Company Restructuring

Should your company restructure and your position changes as a result, you may not enjoy your new role. Your job description and day-to-day responsibilities may no longer represent your professional interests. When that happens, seeking new opportunities may be wise.

Different Leadership

Sometimes people just don’t gel with their leadership. Whether you feel your manager lacks the qualities you need in a leader, or you have significant differences in values and vision, it's okay to want to leave a relationship that feels unproductive or even toxic.

Different Work Environment

Let’s face it; not every organization is the right fit for every employee. The company can be doing great things. You can be an excellent employee. Yet, you might crave more autonomy, or maybe the flexibility to work from home that just won't happen in your current job. In that case, it might be time to move on.

Career Change to a New Industry

Is it time to follow your bliss and enter the career field you always wanted? Earning a bachelor's degree or a master's degree in your field of interest can help position you for new opportunities that may lead to greater job satisfaction.

Career Advancement

Sometimes, leaving an organization is the best — or only — way to advance your career. You may be able to leverage the skills and knowledge you've gained in your current position, and through a college degree, to search for a job that aligns with your personal and long-term professional goals.

Professional Development

You like where you work but there are no opportunities to develop further. A move to a company with more of a focus and commitment to professional development training might be just the thing to help you grow in your career.

Better Compensation

We all need to earn a decent living. Leveraging your skills, experience and education to land a position with a company that has a bigger budget for compensation can be a good move.

Better Benefits

From health and dental insurance to paid time off and tuition reimbursement programs that can help you pay for college, some organizations offer benefits packages that better fit your current and future needs than others.

Family Circumstances

If you have a family member who needs care or support, working somewhere that offers a flexible schedule could be helpful. Or, if you’re married to an active-duty service member, moving may be necessary — even if it interrupts your career. If that's the case, there may be remote positions available that can move with you.

Each of these reasons is affected by business or personal circumstances. Sometimes changes are within your control, such as leaving a job to pursue the career of your dreams. And sometimes the changes are entirely out of your control, such as when a company restructures.

Different factors in your personal or professional life or simply looking for a better fit are good reasons to leave your job. Be sure to do your homework before taking a leap, but don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself to find the career that’s right for you.

The Importance of Knowing Why You Want to Change Jobs

Maybe you’ve been unhappy at your job for a long time. Perhaps you’ve been dreaming of a career in another field for years — or, maybe, you are simply ready for a change.

As you consider a change, focus on your goals. “Look for solutions to issues now, but also keep a pulse on what the decision (to leave your job) could mean for you years down the road,” said Lauren Stahl, MBA, career advisor at SNHU.

Before making the leap to something new, consider how you might take steps to alleviate some of the negatives.

Perhaps it’s not a new job that you need, but a different approach to doing the job that you have. By strategizing how you tackle your work, you can come in every day feeling refreshed and renewed.

Stahl recommends considering the pros and cons of your job and asking someone you trust for their perspective. "Look for solutions to issues now, but also keep a pulse on what the decision to leave your job could mean for you years down the road,” Stahl said.

Remember that there will be items on the con list with any job, so decide what elements of your work matter the most to you. No matter what, be sure to “explore all options within your current situation before deciding your next steps,” Stahl said.

How to Get More Perspective

If you're still deciding whether the time is right to leave your role, there are a few actions you could take to gain perspective and figure out where you'd like to take your career.

Try Volunteering

Many organizations have short- and long-term volunteer opportunities. Volunteering can provide an outlet to use some skills that you aren’t able to apply to your work and can help round out your life experiences in a meaningful way. Or you may find that working in this alternate field is the place for you, and now you’ll have some experience on your resume to help you get your foot in the door in a paid position.

Try Advancing With Education

If you're feeling stuck in your current job, going back to school is another way to gain a new perspective. Be sure to ask your employer if they offer any tuition assistance or reimbursement programs to help you pay.

It's possible to earn a college degree without pausing your career by choosing an online program you can earn at your own pace and on your own schedule, completing assignments any time of day while meeting weekly course deadlines. If you already have credits from previous college experiences, you might be well on your way to earning a degree if you enroll at a transfer-friendly university.

Consider how online classes work to see how you can balance your career and a degree program.

So, What’s Next?

Once you’ve decided it’s time to leave your job, there are some steps you can take to make sure your next move is the right one and ease your transition.

Step 1: Talk to Your Leadership

If you’re contemplating leaving your current job, it’s a good idea to sit down with your manager or other leaders at your organization to discuss your concerns. You may not wish to say you are considering leaving, but you could ask for a meeting to learn what steps you can take to become an even more valuable contributor to your organization.

You might discover some new projects or leadership opportunities that make staying put a good decision. Or, this conversation may be what you need to confirm your decision to look for a different role.

According to Jennifer Vincent, a career advisor at SNHU with more than 15 years of experience in higher education and career services, there might be benefits to looking for a new position within your current organization, if possible. "Since you already have tenure, you understand the culture, and the transition can often be quicker and smoother," she said. "Internal roles may also allow you to keep your benefits and build on the reputation you’ve established."

But sometimes, she said looking externally might be the better option. "If growth opportunities are limited or your values no longer align with the organization, then exploring external options can open new doors," Vincent said.

Step 2: Do Your Research

Research specific companies that interest you, check the Occupational Outlook Handbook from BLS for information on top careers and read online reviews of prospective employers. Sites like BLS, Glassdoor and Indeed may offer insights into different organizations. While the information is not definitive, checking each site for your prospective company or industry can help you see what types of benefits or salaries are typical for the field.

Reviews in places like Glassdoor can also provide a big picture view of life working at an organization, including company culture. Salary is important, but chasing a high salary without considering the whole of what the organization and experience have to offer you can be a mistake.

“It is hard not to be attracted by a flashy new salary,” Stahl said, “but consider your happiness in the equation as well.”

Check out the online directories for conferences in the field that interests you and take note of the organizations represented. Signs that an employer sends people to industry events show a commitment to professional development and industry engagement.

“Look for employers that offer access to workshops, conferences, higher education by means of tuition reimbursement, trainings and so forth,” Stahl said.

Learn more about the career resources available to students.

Step 3: Network

Do you know anyone who works in your desired field or who could introduce you to someone in that field? If so, reach out.

Networking is valuable and comes in many forms. Chat with others at professional conferences, comment on LinkedIn posts and talk to your friends and trusted colleagues and ask if they know anyone who might want to connect.

Step 4: Enhance Your Qualifications

If you know what type of role you want to enter, you can also take some time to acquaint yourself with current news and industry trends. Whether you're looking to change where you work or what you do, it's important to see how your education and experiences compare to what you might need in a new position.

"Ask yourself: What skills do I currently have?" said Vincent. "What skills, education (or) certifications do I need to move into the role I want? And what’s my plan to get there?

Whether you're hoping to level up your high school diploma with an associate degree or advance from a bachelor's to a master's, your degree can impact your salary potential.* For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported the 2024 median weekly salary by educational attainment:

• High school diploma: $930*
• Associate degree: $1,099*
• Bachelor's degree: $1,543*
• Master's degree: $1,840*

Browse job listings that align with your goals to see if there is a certain type of degree, certificate or certification that could help you stand out to employers.

"Don’t be afraid to leverage AI tools like ChatGPT to help you conduct a skills gap analysis," Vincent said. "This will help you compare your current skills against the job requirements and create a place to close the gaps."

She suggested checking out SNHU's career guide on utilizing AI for career development to learn more.

Discover how a certificate can help you stand out in a job search.

Step 5: Treat Job Searching Like the Part-time Job It Is

A career shift is a significant life change. Simply applying for and interviewing for jobs is time-consuming and can be stressful. Throw in getting retrained with new skills or earning a new degree to strengthen your qualifications, and the job search can take up a lot of time.

Use a variety of tools and methods to search for a job, including:

• Online job postings
• Social media posts
• Finding opportunities through networking

You can also ask for informational interviews. Even though this is not a job interview, it is a great opportunity to network and create a good impression.

“Look for employers that offer access to workshops, conferences, higher education by means of tuition reimbursement, trainings and so forth,” Stahl said.

Step 6: Ace Your Interviews

An interview is the best opportunity to learn about an organization's culture. Pay close attention to how you are treated throughout the process. Also, keep an eye on how colleagues treat one another and how the manager interacts with their staff.

You can use what you've learning from your research to decide what questions to ask during your interview.

When it comes to answering questions, Vincent recommends strategically sharing about the impacts you have made. "Prepare your interview answers using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result)," she said.

She noted that you can also work with a career advisor to practice a mock interview, which can help you refine your responses while receiving feedback in a supportive setting.

How to Explain Why You Left Your Previous Role

Even if you had a bad experience, Vincent said to try to avoid criticizing or speaking negatively about your past employer. "Instead, focus on what you learned and how it shaped your goals moving forward," she said.

She suggested keeping your explanation short and honest with a positive framing. "Highlight what you gained from the experience and why you’re excited about the new role," she said.

Putting It All Together

Evaluate your skills and consider higher education and other ways to enhance your portfolio. Then, look for an organization with a structure, vision, mission and values that align with your goals. Take your time, know why you are making the change, do your research and believe in yourself.

“Find a company you can see yourself being happy with long-term,” Stahl said.

And remember, your college career services center is full of professionals who can help you through each step of this process. They can help you find your 'why,' identify new career pathways and develop a job-search strategy to help you succeed and find the right role.

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

A former higher education administrator, Dr. Marie Morganelli is a career educator and writer. She has taught and tutored composition, literature, and writing at all levels from middle school through graduate school. With two graduate degrees in English language and literature, her focus — whether teaching or writing — is in helping to raise the voices of others through the power of storytelling. Connect with her on LinkedIn.