SURVEY SAYS: Why Did You Quit Your Last Job?

This week, I’d like to know, why did YOU leave your last job?

January 22, 2009 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - No question, times are tough.

The Robert Half study we covered recently (see  Management Can Drive Away Good Employees at ) is a timely reminder that, even in challenging economic times, people can find new opportunities (or be driven to that).  

This week, I asked readers why they left their last job - and, perhaps not surprisingly, "unhappiness with management topped the list - it was cited by roughly 47% (including those in the "other" category that really seemed to be a function of unhappiness with a particular member of management - the boss).   Limited opportunities for advancement were cited by nearly 11% , another 8% noted the opportunity of a better job, while just under 7% said it wasn't their choice, and 4% said they simply wanted to relocate.  

Just 2% said they were bored with that job, another 2% made the change for better salary and/or benefits - with several citing a forced relocation, unhappiness with coworkers, and inadequate salary and/or benefits - while roughly one-in-ten were in the "more than one of the above category".  

Consider the reader who noted, "The job was misrepresented, my executive leader was somewhat incompetent and could be verbally abusive to staff. Very inconsistent behavior almost bipolar in nature. Then my job duties were changed and focused in an area where I had no interest."   Another noted, "Option 1 "unhappiness with management" can never be isolated and because reasons 2-6 are all probably the top reasons to be 'unhappy with management', I would therefore have to say that all of reasons 2-6 were valid for my last job change."

The remainder (about 15% ) claimed that their situation was "other", and that was, as you might expect, also where some of the more interesting verbatims were found.   Among those:

"I was studying HR Mgmt and couldn't relate a single thing I was learning to the management of my employer."

"The first 3 all ranked high on the list, then in the midst of searching, I had to add "had been working for a criminal" to the list. This one soared straight to the top spot and sealed the deal!"

"I have actually been very fortunate in my career moves. Each has added a new and different experience in my career development. My HR experiences eventually steered me into benefits & pensions and I've found my employment niche. Better job, salary, benefits, etc all became a part of what I brought to each new experience. I've never left on bad terms nor left a mess behind."

"Commute, commute, commute! Though only 30 miles, I was mostly riding the brakes and searing my right ankle on two interstates. It was hard to go....I actually loved my boss and what I did (even with 409A!) Now I'm 2.5 miles from home and my office is next to my daughter's high school...which she loves and hates!"

"The fit between my skills, experience and temperament and the job's requirements and the organization's culture was not good. When I realized 6 weeks into the job that the fit wasn't good, I put myself back on the market. It took me 11 month to find a suitable job, which I did. I am thankful to my prior employer that things didn't work out, because it paved the way to my wonderful current job and employer."

"To become a stay-at-home mom after my son was born."

"I left after I was asked to secretly "pick the brain" of a co-worker to learn her job because management wanted to get rid of her and they wanted me to take over her job. I could not bring myself to stab her in the back so I found another job. If they did it to her they could do it to me at some point."

"I didn't...this month marked my 10 year anniversary at the company I joined when I graduated from college. Still going well, knock on wood."

"Followed my former boss to his new company."

"Too many late nights and weekends."

But this week's Editor's Choice goes to the reader who said they quit their job simply because "My boss was an idiot."

Thanks to everyone who participated in our survey!