when enough is enough: reasons for leaving a job

Hi there! If you’re reading this article, you probably have reasons for leaving a job and you’re almost ready to quit, but something is still holding you back. We know that sometimes, it can be hard to admit that you need a job change. It can, however, be even harder to continue working in unfavorable conditions, some of which are:

• feelings of being bored and unproductive on a current project
• working under pressure for an extended period of time without the skills to deal with stress
• noticing the first symptoms of burnout

If you notice one or more of these signs in your daily life, you already have a reason for a job change. But there are additional causes that may inspire you to leave.

More often than not, people decide to change to a new company when the bad at their job outweighs the good. Of course, sometimes a decision to switch jobs or even quit is driven by a happy moment such as marriage, maternity leave, or relocation to a dream country. In these situations, you wouldn’t agonize about whether it is worth leaving. But, for some reason, people tend to hesitate when the reasons to quit a job are different but equally obvious. Below, we list a few situations that are clear indicators that a change is appropriate.

You feel unhappy at your current workplace

The feeling of job dissatisfaction is one of the most frequent reasons for leaving a job, and can result from numerous factors. An inconvenient schedule, frequent and unreasonable overtime, the boredom of constant routine tasks; these and other seemingly small factors can add up until eventually, you don’t feel able to tolerate it anymore.

Feeling stuck

You may also feel stuck in your position or simply want to experience a different field. If you can’t find ways to grow as a professional within the company you work for, that’s another good reason for leaving current job.

Unhealthy working environment

Have you ever had to work with unprofessional manager or colleagues who thought (s)he knew how to do your job better than you? Have you witnessed your initiatives being ignored or dismissed on a regular basis? If you have, you probably know that looking for another company now can save you from the burden of working in an unhealthy environment.

If you’ve just started your career at a new company, it might seem that there aren’t any good reasons for leaving a job after a short time. Even at the beginning of a career path in a new place, however, you can feel uncomfortable. If you don’t get along with the people at your new position, if something about the workplace feels “off” to you, or if you notice toxic and condescending behavior on the part of your teammates or manager, you don’t need to wait any set length of time to change your job.

Family circumstances and personal reasons

At some point in your life you may need to take care of a child, a family member, or reduce your working hours because of other personal reasons. At the same time, you may still need the money you earn from your salary. The management at your current company, however, might not be able or willing to provide you with the flexibility you need to manage your schedule and care for your family.

Finding yourself in such a situation is a good reason for job change, and you’ll probably want to look for something that offers you flexibility. Luckily, nowadays, there are opportunities to work remotely, earn good money, and maintain a work-life balance. EPAM Anywhere is one of them ;).

Values mismatch

Did you know that the alignment of your values and the values of the company you’re working at is an integral part of your career satisfaction? Most people don’t give a lot of thought to this, but it’s true. Many of us tend to believe that our values align until we experience a situation that demonstrates the contrary. And this could eventually become one more reason for a job change.

If one of your core values is fairness, for example, you might not have given it a lot of thought until you see your colleagues being treated unfairly. Perhaps you witnessed a less-qualified man being promoted faster than an experienced and high-performing woman, or a colleague was laid off because of the mistakes of others. Suddenly, it becomes clear that your company treats people unfairly and you understand that your values simply don't align with that of your organization.

Such a values mismatch can kill your enthusiasm and damage your performance at the company - in time you’ll feel more disengaged, disconnected, and frustrated. This fractures your relationships at work, raises tension, and causes stress.

This situation is a significant warning sign that it’s time to consider a job change.

When you make up your mind to leave your job, you’ll need to discuss it with your management. If you have good relationships with your boss, (s)he may understand the situation even without asking you to explain your reason for leaving current job. It can be much more difficult to explain your reasons for leaving a job you hate, especially if you don’t get along with the people there. If, knowing your situation, you feel that it might be hard for you to have the important conversation with your manager about leaving, we have several tips you can use.

Be confident and have a plan

Once you make a firm decision to quit, you should be prepared to stick to it. Otherwise, your boss can try to persuade you that your reasons to change jobs aren’t good enough and ask you to stay a bit longer (perhaps indefinitely, or at least until it is convenient for the company, not necessarily for you).

In order to avoid such a situation, prepare a list of reasons that you want to communicate. You can also try to anticipate follow-up questions or objections, and prepare possible answers and additional points. Trying to predict several possible scenarios can help you feel confident about your decision during the actual meeting. Remember that the bottom line is that you can leave if you want to, regardless of what your employer says.

Give short answers and don’t make excuses

No matter what your reasons to quit a job are, you don’t have to explain everything, let alone feel as though you have to make excuses. You might feel uncomfortable during this conversation but it’s your life and your decision. No one can blame you for your desire to take advantage of opportunities better suited to your life and circumstances.

Always be polite

Even if you need to explain the reasons for leaving a job you hate, try to be as polite as possible. Focus on facts not feelings. Avoid expressing strong emotions and using offensive language. You never know when and how you will meet your ex-coworkers and managers again. One day, you might need help or references, or you may find yourself working with them at some point in the future, so make sure you don’t confuse your professional skills with personal feelings. 

If you’re wondering whether your reasons to quit a job are sufficient to support a final decision, read this piece once more. But we’re pretty sure that if you’ve had these should-I-leave-my-job thoughts for some time, you already know the right answer. Remember, leaving a job isn’t the end. Sometimes, it’s the beginning of a better life.