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The Best (and Worst) Reasons for Leaving a Job

The Best (and Worst) Reasons for Leaving a Job

At any point in time that you have been employed, you would definitely have nursed the thought of leaving your job for reasons best known to you. Some decide to leave out of a momentary frustration while others leave for priorities they value and cherish.


Before you decide to leave your job, keep the emotion aside and sit down with a mug of your favorite beverage to think about the pros and cons. To help you get going, here are the best and worst reasons for leaving your job.


Best Reasons for Leaving a Job

1. Stuck in the Same Position

If you've been working at your present job for a while, consistently demonstrating your worth as a potential employee, it is most likely that you will climb the corporate ladder and shoulder higher responsibilities. However, if this hasn't been the case with you despite consistent achievements, then it might be time to change your current job. However, before you call it quits, talk to your boss about how you feel and see if a solid solution is being offered to retain you.


2. No Match for your Skills

Perhaps, when you took up your current job, everything about it excited you and there wasn’t a day you did not look forward to. But as time flies and nothing substantial changes in your daily tasks at work, it’s normal to feel your skills are not being put to good use. If there is little or no room for growth and the work you do barely utilizes the competencies you do have, it’s time to make a career move and devote time to a job that you are passionate about.


3. Dream Come True

You could be happy at your job but one fine morning, you get the opportunity of your dreams to be part of an organization or business that you have always dreamed of. Perhaps, a friend started a new business that you'd like to assist in, or a job you've been eyeing for some time is now open at your dream company. No matter what the case, if the door of opportunity opens, don’t turn a blind eye. 


4. Desperate for Flexibility

The need might arise to take care of your children or lend additional support to an elderly family member or you might simply feel the need to relax before you suffer a nervous breakdown. It’s all perfectly normal. We all need a little flexibility to maintain our work-life balance. If you don’t seem to get support from your superiors for a little flexibility at work or an occasional consideration in work hours, it would be best to leave your job.


5. Exhaustion takes a toll

Stress in the workplace can be temporary regardless of whether it seems like it's always there. There’s something else called burnout. This burnout at work makes you physically exhausted, uninterested in your work and less productive. If you've tried everything you could to reduce the effects of burnout and found no solution for relief, you might want to leave your job for a more satisfying job role.


Worst Reasons for Leaving a Job

1. You don't get along with a co-worker

If you've had a major disagreement with a colleague and all you can think of with your clenched fist is to leave the damn job, think again. Changing your job because of a team member who is not compatible with you is the worst reason ever. There is always a more sensible solution for handling such situations; leaving your job is not one of them. Always maintain a professional demeanor and do not allow misunderstandings to tarnish your professional relationships.


2. You've made a huge blunder

Everybody makes mistakes at some point in time or the other. That’s how we learn and become better at what we do. While it's definitely not a pleasant feeling to fail, it's not a reason to quit. If you have made a mistake, the most sensible thing to do is accept the error, acknowledge it and work towards rectifying it in the best way you can. 


3. You didn't get that raise

Not getting a timely, deserved raise can piss off more employees than you can imagine. Of course, there could be many reasons you were overlooked for a raise. Instead of brooding over the situation and cursing your boss, you could have a healthy discussion with your superiors to know exactly why you were not considered for a raise. Take it as a learning opportunity and seek guidance on what you could do to improve your chances in the future. Of course, if your boss does not wish to discuss the issue, it’s wiser to move on.


4. Your boss is too critical

Criticism is always hard to digest, even when it is delivered as a sugared pill. In any job role, you are bound to face criticism not only from your boss but your co-workers as well. Constructive feedback goes a long way in improving your skills. In fact, most organizations value employees who are able to accept feedback and are willing to adapt to the suggestions given by peers and superiors. As long as you don’t allow criticism to affect your personal well-being, there is no need to quit just because your boss hurled a few snide remarks at your business presentation. 


5. You're hoping the grass is greener

The grass always looks greener at the other end. Instead of blindly taking the plunge into the unknown hoping for a better future at another organization, train yourself to take calculated risks. If you really wish to see if the grass is greener on the other side, make sure you have a backup plan and enough financial resources to support you in case the outcome is not in your favor.


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