Let’s say you’re in the enviable position of having to quit a current job in order to take another, perhaps with a competitor. Or you need to quit in order to take care of an ill family member. Or your side business has grown to the point where it will support you and so you want to quit the “day job.”

When you give notice at your current employer, must you give a reason for leaving?

The answer is no.

Of course, you want to leave on good terms. You never know when you’ll want to ask this employer for references, or leads (or even for your old job back….).

Naturally, your boss will ask you why you’re leaving. If you don’t want to give the reason, the simple answer is “for personal reasons.”

If your boss asks for more details, repeat yourself politely but firmly and leave it at that. You can add how much you’ve enjoyed working with him or her, how grateful you are that you had the chance to work with the boss/company, and wish him or her well.

If you’re leaving the company to pursue a business on the side or to work with a competitor (you only should do so if you’re certain any non-compete clause you may have signed allows you to do so), your current employer will find out soon enough.

Still, the answer “for personal reasons” still stands. After all, legitimate “personal reasons” to leave one job for another could be a promotion, a better location, a nicer office environment, a raise in pay, and so on.

So don’t feel that you’re lying when you say “for personal reasons.” You do have your reasons and they’re own – they’re “personal.”

You’ll want to be sure you conduct yourself with the utmost of professionalism when you resign. Put your resignation in writing and hand the letter  to your supervisor after you tell him or her in person that you’re leaving. Try to give at least two weeks’ notice. Also, be sure to continue to work hard in your final days and weeks with the company. You want to have your employer think well of you after you’re gone.

If you’re looking for work in the Inland Empire, give Arrow Staffing a call. We have many terrific  short- and long-term temporary, temp-to-hire and direct-hire assignments with some of San Bernardino and Riverside counties’ best employers. We look forward to hearing from you!