How to explain your reasons for leaving a job

Telling someone you're leaving a job can feel awkward. Whether it's a conversation with your current employer or a question that comes up in an interview, explaining why you're moving on isn't always easy.

As a recruitment agency, we speak to candidates every day who aren't sure how much to share or how to phrase their reasons for leaving. And that’s completely normal. The important thing is to be clear, honest and future-focused.

In this blog we’ll show you how to handle that conversation professionally. You’ll learn how to explain your decision to your current employer, how to talk about it in interviews, and how to keep your message positive and straightforward. 

How to tell your current employer

Letting your employer know you’re leaving can feel like a big step. Whether you’ve been in the role for years or just a short time, it’s worth thinking about how you’ll handle the conversation.

Before you sit down with your manager or write a resignation email, it’s useful to plan out what you’re going to say. 

Below are some key principles to help you approach that conversation calmly and confidently.

Prepare your message

Take a few minutes to get clear on your reason for leaving. You don’t need to go into lots of detail, but it helps to know how you’re going to explain it in a sentence or two. Keep the focus on your decision to move forward, not on any frustration you might be feeling.

Think about the timing too. Try to speak to your manager at a quiet point in the day, ideally face-to-face or via video call if you’re remote. Let them know you’d like to speak privately and keep the conversation professional. 

The aim is to explain your decision and outline what you’re planning to do next, not to have a long discussion about what’s gone wrong.

Keep it respectful and future-focused

Even if your time in the role hasn’t been perfect, now isn’t the moment to raise old issues. A calm, positive tone goes a long way. Thank them for the opportunity and the experience, and then explain that you’ve decided to move on to something that’s a better fit for where you are in your career.

It’s completely fine to mention that you’re taking on a new role, but there’s no need to compare it to your current one. You can talk about your goals or what you’re looking forward to without implying anything negative about your existing employer.

Don’t over-explain or complain

You might feel like you need to justify your decision, especially if you’ve had a good relationship with your team. But keep in mind that resignations are a normal part of working life. You’re not required to give lots of reasons, and you definitely don’t need to go into personal frustrations or complaints.

Keep your message short and professional. One or two clear sentences is more than enough. If you’re invited to give feedback in an exit interview, that’s the time to raise any constructive points. Otherwise, focus on making your departure smooth and respectful.

Example of how to explain your decision to your employer

Here’s an example you can use or adapt when you're ready to speak to your manager:

“I wanted to let you know that I’ve accepted a new role. It wasn’t an easy decision, and I’ve genuinely appreciated the support and experience I’ve had here. But this feels like the right next step for me. I’ll do everything I can to make the handover smooth and keep things running well while I finish up.”

Read more: How to hand in your notice

Common reasons for leaving a job

Before you start interviewing, it helps to get clear on why you're leaving your current role. Employers ask this to understand what you're looking for next and how you make decisions about your career. The reason itself isn't usually a problem, as long as it's explained clearly and professionally.

Below are some of the most common reasons people leave jobs. Each one is a valid choice, and when framed the right way, they can show you’re thoughtful, self-aware and ready for the next step.

You’re looking for better pay or benefits

Sometimes your salary no longer reflects your level of responsibility or the market rate. Other times, the overall package just doesn't meet your current needs. If this is part of why you're moving on, it's fine to say so.

Keep the focus on the future rather than frustration. You’re not walking away from a job just for more money, you’re looking for a role that matches your value and contribution.

Example explanation:

“Over the past year, my responsibilities have grown a lot but the package hasn’t really changed. I’m now looking for a position that reflects that and supports my longer-term goals.”

You’re ready for more growth or challenge

You might have learned a lot in your current role, but if the pace has slowed or there’s no clear next step, it makes sense to explore new options. This is one of the most common reasons people give, and it can show employers that you’re ambitious and motivated.

The key is to keep it balanced. Show appreciation for what you’ve gained and explain what you’re looking for next.

Example explanation:

“I’ve had a solid experience in my current role and learned a lot, but I’ve reached a point where the scope has levelled off. I’m ready for something that pushes me a bit more and gives me space to grow.”

You’ve relocated or your needs have changed

If your situation outside of work has shifted, your job might not fit in the same way anymore. That could be moving to a new area, changes in your family or simply a change in priorities.

In these cases, it’s helpful to be honest while keeping the explanation short and professional.

Example explanation:

“I’ve recently moved and the role is no longer practical in terms of travel. I’m now looking for something that suits my new location and long-term plans better.”

You want better work-life balance or flexibility

More candidates are reassessing what they need from work, especially when it comes to flexibility. If your current role makes it hard to maintain balance or manage other responsibilities, that’s a fair reason to look elsewhere.

The important thing is to focus on what you’re moving towards, not what you’re moving away from.

Example explanation:

“I’ve found that the current setup makes it difficult to maintain a good balance. I’m looking for a role that still challenges me, but allows for a more sustainable routine.”

You’ve been made redundant or your contract ended

Redundancy, restructures and fixed-term contracts are all common, especially in fast-moving industries. They’re not seen as red flags, but it’s helpful to explain them in a clear and neutral way.

You can also use this moment to highlight what you got out of the role.

Example explanation:

“My role ended as part of a wider restructure. I really valued the experience and I’m now looking for something more stable where I can continue to build my skills.”

You’re pursuing development or training

Sometimes you leave a job because it no longer supports where you want to go next. You may have started a course, worked on new skills, or realised your current role doesn’t align with your goals anymore.

This is a strong reason to give, as long as you connect it to the role you're applying for.

Example explanation:

“I’ve recently started focusing on [insert area] and I’m looking for a role that gives me the chance to develop that further. I’m ready to apply what I’ve been learning and take on new challenges in that space.”

Read more: How to create a career development plan

How to tell your prospective employer

When you're interviewing for a new role, it's not just what you say that matters, it's how you say it. Explaining your reason for leaving a job is a chance to show that you're thoughtful, professional and ready for your next step. 

Employers want to understand your motivation, see if your goals align with the role, and feel confident that you’ve made a considered decision. This section is all about how to frame your answer clearly and with confidence.

Be clear and concise

Keep your answer short and direct. You don’t need to tell the full story or include every detail. A sentence or two is often enough to explain why you're leaving and what you're looking for next.

Avoid vague phrases like “I just felt it was time for something new.” Instead, choose something that makes sense and gives the interviewer a clear picture.

Tip: Prepare a short version of your reason in advance, so you’re not caught off guard or tempted to over-explain.

Stay positive and avoid blame

Even if you’ve had a difficult time in your current role, it’s important to stay professional in how you talk about it. Speaking negatively about your employer or colleagues can raise concerns for the interviewer.

Keep your tone calm and focused on the future. Try to frame your experience in a way that shows what you've learned, rather than what went wrong.

Instead of: “My manager wasn’t very supportive.”

Try: “I’ve realised that having regular feedback and guidance helps me do my best work, so I’m looking for an environment that offers that.”

Reframe negative experiences constructively

If your reason for leaving involves something outside of your control, such as a redundancy or changes within the company, frame it in a way that focuses on what you gained and what you’re aiming for next.

This helps the interviewer see that you’ve processed the situation, taken something useful from it, and are now making a positive step forward.

Example:

“There were some changes in the business and my role shifted quite a bit. It gave me clarity on what I’m looking for in my next position, and I’m ready to focus on something that plays more to my strengths.”

Keep the focus on what you’re looking for next

Your answer should help the employer understand your career goals. What do you want to build on? What are you hoping to do more of? Bring it back to how the role you’re applying for fits with your plans.

Focusing on the future shows that you’re moving with intention, not just leaving something behind.

Example:

“I’m looking to move into a role that gives me more scope to work on [area], which is something I’ve been building up experience in and want to take further.”

Match your reason to the new role

Tailor your answer to reflect what the job offers. If you're leaving because you want more responsibility, and this role clearly provides that, make the connection.

This helps reassure the employer that you're not just looking for any role, but that you’re genuinely interested in this one.

Example:

“I’m keen to take more ownership of my work and lead on projects. That’s something this role seems to offer, so it feels like the right next step.”

Practise and stay confident

It’s normal to feel a bit awkward when talking about why you’re leaving a job. But the more you practise your answer, the more natural it will sound. Saying it out loud a few times can help you feel more comfortable.

If you’ve left roles before or had mixed experiences, that’s okay. What matters is that you can talk about it calmly and show that you’re focused on finding a better fit going forward.

Explaining your reasons for leaving a job can feel like a tricky part of the process. But with the right preparation, you can approach it clearly and confidently. 

Whether you're speaking to your current employer or in a job interview, keep your message honest, professional and focused on your future goals.

If you're looking for a new opportunity, take a look at our live jobs or submit your CV to speak with a consultant. We're here to help you land a role that suits your skills and career goals.