10 Reasons To Leave a Job You Love

Most professionals want a job that not only provides financial stability but also offers work they enjoy. But even if you've found a job you love, circumstances can change that might cause you to leave. In this article, we explain 10 reasons why you might end up leaving a job you love and provide tips for making a smooth transition.

Related: Why Do People Leave Jobs?

Leaving a job you love

You enjoy your day-to-day responsibilities and you get along well with your co-workers. Leaving a position like this might seem unusual, but there are several good reasons why people choose to depart from jobs they love for other opportunities:

Related: How To Know When It Is Time To Leave a Job

1. Higher salary

No matter how much you love your job, if it's not paying you enough to meet your financial responsibilities or goals, then you have a good reason for taking a different position with a higher salary. You can consider using a job offer with higher pay as leverage for a raise with your current company if you don't want to leave, but prepare to take the new job if your supervisors decline your request.

2. Work-life balance

Some fantastic jobs come at the cost of your work-life balance. Even if you're delighted with the work you do every day in the office if you're spending too long commuting or missing out on important family events and activities, a job with a bit more flexibility can help you better balance your career and your personal life.

3. Moving

Moving out of the area, state or country is one of the most common reasons for leaving an excellent job. You may need to move to be closer to family or your partner might have a job offer from a company in another region. Whatever the reason, if you're moving and you can't do your current job remotely, it's time to go.

4. Better long-term opportunities

Sometimes, you have to think about the long-term prospects over short-term comforts. After you've been in a position for several years and have mastered the duties of the job, it's time to look for advancement opportunities. Other companies may have more to offer in terms of advancement than your current company.

5. Lack of upward mobility

Unless you're at the top of the hierarchy in your job, you should always stay aware of your potential for upward mobility in your company. Even if you love your job, if there's nowhere for you to go to continue to grow and develop your skills, you may need to look for a promotion outside of your organization to keep your career from stagnating.

6. Career transition

In some cases, you might love your job, but want a new challenge in an entirely different field, industry or sector. A career transition will nearly always necessitate you to leave your current job, even if it's one you love. However, depending on the work your company does, you might be able to stay with your organization in your new role.

7. Avoid termination

While you might love your job, your company might be preparing to lay you off or terminate you for any number of reasons — some related to job performance and some not. If you've confirmed you're close to termination, it's often best to leave the job on your own terms beforehand.

8. Going back to school

Some degree programs or advanced graduate-level programs allow you to take classes online on your own schedule. Others, however, require you to attend full time to earn the degree you want. If you're going back to school full time, it's unlikely you'll be able to continue working a regular schedule at your job.

9. Taking care of family

Taking care of family members, like young children, sick relatives or aging parents, can cause you to leave your job. In these cases, the cost of outsourcing the care usually costs more than what you make in your position. If it makes fiscal sense to perform the family care yourself, or if you just want to do it over hiring someone else, then you'll need to leave your job.

10. The company is failing

Some companies face challenges that force them to severely limit their staff or shut down entirely. If your company is struggling to stay financially viable, it's often best to leave your position before the company fails and find a new job.

Related: How To Leave a Job on Good Terms

Tips for leaving a job you love

If you're ready to leave a position you adore, use these tips to help you do so successfully while maintaining a positive relationship with your employer:

• Practice ahead of time: Practice your resignation speech with a friend or family member before you have the actual conversation with your manager. This will help you gain confidence and prepare for any rebuttals.

• Have a conversation: Share your intention to leave your job with your manager in person rather than via email or phone call. Explain why you're leaving and express your thanks for all you learned and experienced in your position.

• Stay firm: If you're certain it's time to leave your job, remain firm, even if your manager tries to convince you to stay. Stay positive and respectful during the conversation.

• Provide a letter: It's customary and respectful to provide written documentation in the form of a resignation letter for your manager to add to your personnel file.

• Give plenty of notice: Share your resignation intentions as soon as possible to give your company plenty of time to find your replacement.

• Help with the transition: Ask how you can help with the transition. Prepare a continuity document or binder for your replacement to help them succeed when they start.

• Inform your colleagues: Have conversations with your colleagues or share the news of your departure in a company-wide meeting after you've had your resignation conversation with your manager.