The top reasons for leaving a job go to show how unfulfilling many jobs can be; despite the obvious discomfort, and uncertainties associated with it, many people are happy to leave their jobs, in hopes of finding something better.
However, in today’s business world, it is often necessary to leave a job without burning the figurative bridge. The reason for leaving the job must be clearly stated on the record, and must be understood by the employer.
The employer will probably be contacted by the new job, and will need to put in a good word. It is therefore a good idea to leave a job without looking like a bad employee. It all depends on what you write in your resignation letter.
10 Reasons to List on Your Job Application When Resigning From a Job
The following are good, compelling and acceptable reasons for leaving a job, with samples of how the application could be written.
- Career Advancement – A Better Deal
- Career Advancement- More Responsibility
- Lack of Fulfillment
- Life Goals- More Academic Progress
- Changes In The Company – A New Boss
- You Want A Promotion
- You Have Family Issues To Deal With
- When One Is Laid Off
- When The Company Is Unwilling To Hire Full Time
- The Environment Is Toxic
Any of the above, when well-presented can serve as a perfectly acceptable reason for leaving a job, and moving on to a new one. In fact, depending on the way you present it, a well-crafted resignation letter can serve as a spring board to the new job. It can tell the new employer that you are the perfect person for the job- a person with values, who knows exactly what they want.
The following are samples of how to craft well worded applications to leave a job.
1. Career Advancement – A Better Deal
In the example below the worker is applying to leave a job with a company because he has had a better offer elsewhere. Note that there is no bad blood between the writer and employer or anyone else in the company. The worker may simply feel that it is time to move on as career advancement opportunities seem to be in short supply at the current employment.
{Enter Your Name}
{Enter Your Position}
{Enter Company Name}
{Enter Address of Company}
{Enter Your Email Address}
{Date of Writing Letter}
Dear {Enter Boss’ name}
I am writing this letter to notify you that I am resigning from my position as {Enter Your Position} of {enter Company name}, effective {Enter effective date}.
I appreciate the opportunity to work with you, and the impact you have made in my personality and career. You have been a role model and a fountain of wisdom for me personally.
However, I have had the displeasure of being looked over twice when the position of {enter desired position}. I feel I should have been considered for the position due to my extensive knowledge and experience on the job, having been with the company for more than 5 years.
Please let me know how I can help during the transition period. I will continue to support you and the company any way I can.
Sincerely,
{Sign}
{enter your name}
Note that the worker has given enough time to prepare for his/her departure, or to avert it completely. Yes, the worker’s departure can be averted by making the desired position available. The ball is therefore in the boss’ court; lose a valuable employee, or give him/her a promotion.
The door is probably still open in this case; the boss can call him in to the office and talk about it. The sample below is quite similar.
2. Career Advancement- More Responsibility
{Enter Your Name}
{Enter Your Position}
{Enter Company Name}
{Enter Address of Company}
{Enter Your Email Address}
{Date of Writing Letter}
Dear {Enter Boss’ name}
I regret writing this letter to notify you that as of {Enter effective date} I am resigning from my position {Enter Your Position} of {enter Company name}.
I appreciate the opportunity to work with you. You have taught me everything I know about the job, and have helped me develop my personality and career. I continue to see you as a mentor and friend.
However, I feel that I have not been given the opportunity to grow on the job, and to handle more responsibility at work, as I believe I have the experience to handle. I have been at this company for 5 years, and certainly know my way around. Plus I have an excellent record of punctuality and regularity- traits which show unwavering dedication to the job.
I would therefore like to find a different job where I can better put my talents to use. Please let me know how I can help with the transition.
Sincerely,
{Sign}
{enter your name}
In the sample above, the writer clearly states why it is time to move on, and it seems that there is no way to reverse the decision. The writer also intelligently lists out qualities which makes him/her a desirable employee. The new boss will also believe that this highly driven individual will have a lot to contribute to the company.
In the template below; the reason for leaving the job is similar, although it is not about the position, but the job
3. Lack of Fulfillment
{Enter Your Name}
{Enter Your Position}
{Enter Company Name}
{Enter Address of Company}
{Enter Your Email Address}
{Date of Writing Letter}
Dear {Enter Boss’ name}
I am writing this letter to notify you that as of {Enter effective date} I am resigning from my position {Enter Your Position} of {enter Company name}.
I appreciate the opportunity to work with you, and I have learnt a lot from my time with the company. I have also made some lifelong friends.
However, I have come to realize that this job, and this company does not match my lifelong ambition of working with people rather than things. If I continue with this job I am afraid I will never get the satisfaction I want, and will feel like a failure.
I would therefore like to find a different job where I can better impact in people’s lives.
Sincerely,
{Sign}
{enter your name}
The letter above is very clear. The worker is leaving the company, and there is nothing that can be done about it. It is also good because rather than continue at a job in which the worker is unmotivated, he has decided to leave. This kind of commitment is rare in today’s world; employers are going to love it.
In the template below, the person is leaving the job for a somewhat similar reason; to improve his or herself.
4. Life Goals- More Academic Progress
{Enter Your Name}
{Enter Your Position}
{Enter Company Name}
{Enter Address of Company}
{Enter Your Email Address}
{Date of Writing Letter}
Dear {Enter Boss’ name}
I regret having to write this letter, informing you that I will be resigning from my job as {Enter Your Position} at {enter Company name}, come {Enter effective date}.
This is a very difficult decision to make; I appreciate the opportunity to work with you, and I have called the company home for {enter number of years}.
However, I have come to realize that there is much more that I can do; and that there is much for me to gain by going back to school, and earning a degree. This will increase my capacity, and equip me for greater responsibility.
It has been an honor working with you. I would be happy to help in any way with the transition.
Sincerely,
{Sign}
{enter your name}
The sample above leaves the door open for a return, but that would be in the future; after the person is through with school. In the interim, the company can do nothing to stop him or her from leaving.
5. Changes In The Company – A New Boss
{Enter Your Name}
{Enter Your Position}
{Enter Company Name}
{Enter Address of Company}
{Enter Your Email Address}
{Date of Writing Letter}
Dear {Enter Boss’ name}
I am writing this letter to notify you that I am resigning from my position {Enter Your Position} at {enter Company name} effective {enter date of effect}.
I appreciate the opportunity to work with you. I have built my capacity greatly while working with the company, and I have made some good friends and associates.
However, I have become greatly unsettled at the company since the departure of my boss {Mr. so and so} who brought me into the company and who groomed me. I have become so used to his way or doing things, and his style of management.
With him out of the company, and with the boss in charge, I feel completely lost. Furthermore, I feel out of place; like this is a completely strange place for me.
I would therefore like to find a different job at another place. Once again thank you for the opportunity.
Sincerely,
{Sign}
{enter your name}
The sample above shows loyalty to the person and not to the company; it is not advisable to use this format unless one has a guarantee of a job, preferably from the boss you are loyal to. Otherwise, it is acceptable to cite a desire for a promotion as the reason for wanting to leave; that way, the management can try to do something to keep a prized asset.
6. You Want A Promotion
{Enter Your Name}
{Enter Your Position}
{Enter Company Name}
{Enter Address of Company}
{Enter Your Email Address}
{Date of Writing Letter}
Dear {Enter Boss’ name}
I write this letter to notify you that I will be resigning from my job as {Enter Your Position} at {enter Company name}, effective {Enter effective date}.
This has been a very difficult decision to make; I have worked here for {enter number of years}, gaining lots of experience and skills along the way. I have also formed deep professional and personal relationships here at the company.
However, having spent {so so number of years at the company}, and having an excellent performance record, without any negative reports, I feel I am not making progress in my career. I should be at a much higher position in the company, and should handle greater responsibility.
Having failed to get promotions here, I feel it is time to look for them elsewhere. I will be happy to help with the transition in any way I can.
Sincerely,
{Sign}
{enter your name}
Although the letter above does not say so, it feels like the writer has not completely closed the door to working with the company. Nevertheless, the letter has smartly highlighted the worker’s attributes, so it is something for the bosses to think about.
7. You Have Family Issues To Deal With
{Enter Your Name}
{Enter Your Position}
{Enter Company Name}
{Enter Address of Company}
{Enter Your Email Address}
{Date of Writing Letter}
Dear {Enter Boss’ name}
I am writing this letter to notify you that I am forced to resign from my position as {Enter Your Position} at {enter Company name} effective {enter date of effect}.
This has been a very difficult decision to make, especially as I have been working here for {Enter number of years}. I have made a lot of great memories at this company, and the memories will last forever.
However, I have several family issues that have come up at the same time, and as a result, I can no longer cope with the demands of the job. I will be happy to help with the transition in any way I can.
Sincerely,
{Sign}
{enter your name}
The sample above just says that family issues have come up. That is usually good enough for a resignation letter. However, one can decide to add more details as to why one is leaving; that would mean explaining the family issues that have come up.
In the sample below the reason for leaving the job is completely different, but it is still important to put it in the records.
8. When One Is Laid Off
{Enter Your Name}
{Enter Your Position}
{Enter Company Name}
{Enter Address of Company}
{Enter Your Email Address}
{Date of Writing Letter}
Dear {Enter Boss’ name}
I am writing this letter as an official notice that as from {enter date}, I am leaving the company.
I appreciate the opportunity and the experience I have gained over the years with the company, and have no regrets whatsoever.
However, I have become distressed since being laid off from the company in {enter date}. I understand that the reason for being laid off is the current difficult financial position of the company, which is caused by the slowing economy.
Nevertheless, having given so much to the company, I feel I have been hard done by management. I wish to have my name removed from the company’s database, therefore ruling out the possibility of returning when things improve.
Sincerely,
{Sign}
{Enter your name}
9. When The Company Is Unwilling To Hire Full Time
{Enter Your Name}
{Enter Your Position}
{Enter Company Name}
{Enter Address of Company}
{Enter Your Email Address}
{Date of Writing Letter}
Dear {Enter Boss’ name}
I am writing this letter as an official notice that as from {enter date}, I am leaving the company.
I appreciate the opportunity given me to work with the company, and I greatly treasure the professional connections I have made over the years.
However, as you are aware my position is a part time one. I have decided to leave the company after coming to know that the company has had several opportunities to hire me on a fulltime basis, but has declined to do so.
Therefore, I have to leave now so as not to waste any more time.
Once again, thank you for the opportunity to work and learn with the company.
Sincerely,
{Sign}
{Enter your name}
The sample above is a great way of bringing management to the table; it will be understood that the writer does not actually want to leave, but desires career growth. They will either put an offer on the table, or watch the writer leave.
10. The Environment Is Toxic
{Enter Your Name}
{Enter Your Position}
{Enter Company Name}
{Enter Address of Company}
{Enter Your Email Address}
{Date of Writing Letter}
Dear {Enter Boss’ name}
I am writing this letter as an official notice that I am resigning from my position as {enter position}, at {enter company name} effective {enter date}.
I appreciate the opportunity, and the experience I have gained by working with the organization in these {enter number of years} years.
However, I have become distressed watching the recent happenings in the company; the organization has become a toxic work environment. The daily quarrels, in-fighting, lack of cooperation, and unhealthy competition have really soured the office.
Therefore, I think it is time I find another employment, while I continue to hope that things improve here.
Once again, thank you for the opportunity.
Sincerely,
{Sign}
{Enter your name}
The sample above does not spell out bad leadership as the reason for leaving, but at the interview at the new job the writer can make it clearer as the reason for leaving. In fact a new employer will greatly appreciate a worker who desires a healthy working environment, and who leaves when things go bad.
Closing
The above reasons for leaving a job on application are some of the best and most acceptable reasons for both the old job, and for the interview at the new job. They do not paint the old employers in bad light, but do well to portray the writers as hard working conscientious persons who know exactly what they want.
