Why Did You Leave Your Previous Jobs?

[cschin4]

What are some of the reasons you have changed jobs? Did you leave because of working conditions, personal issues, hours, pay, benefits, etc?

[disneysteve]

I've only left one job in my career. From July 93 (right out of training) until Feb 00 I was in practice with one older doctor. I learned a ton about running a business and being a good doctor from him. However, I got very little respect. Even after nearly 7 years, I couldn't get time of when I wanted/needed it, I was expected to work tons of extra hours whenever he went away, which was frequently. He often went away with very little notice leaving me stuck with all the workload, with no regard to anything that I might have going on in my life. I got to the point where I was miserable and it was starting to affect my home life. I had a young daughter who was getting old enough to notice that daddy was never home. So I finally quit. I found a new position a few months later and have been here ever since. It isn't perfect (what is?) but I'm far happier and my boss is much more fair. I have much more freedom to control my own affairs and I'm happier all around.

[shengmei]

It was keeping me from dedicating my life to academics.

[Ima saver]

I got tired of working as a waitress for about $20 a day in tips. We lived in a very poor area and the locals did not tip. My husband was tired of being home alone every night all by himself too, so he suggested that i quit.

[sweeps]

Mo' money.

[Ima saver]

The best reason!!![Automated by GetSmile]

[JoyJoy]

Illness.

[Bookie]

Well, I spent my entire professional life at the same institution. After 32 years a reorganization merged my unit and two others, and I became a department head without department. I had a title, an office, all of the appurtences of my position -- and no job. So I chose to retire.

I could have stayed on, stubbornly grinding out the years and occupying myself with whatever the administration chose to toss my way. Others had done so, and I'd watched as they became bitter, angry, and resentful. Careers that spanned decades where poisoned by the events of those last months. I promised myself I would never allow that to happen to me.

By electing an early and graceful retirement, I left feeling good about myself, my career, and my institution. And, as important, I left allowing them to feel good about me. The retirement party was a celebration of my accomplishments. Today, I return to lunch regularly with my former colleagues. We're glad to see one another, and I have no regrets.

[neatdesign]

Geez, I've had so many jobs, it's hard to keep track!


Student assistant at my university's international education office – Graduated and emigrated to Chile

Berlitz English teacher in Chile – Moved back to the States

Admin Assistant at a university – Decided to go back to school to get a degree in graphic design

Graphic Designer – Several reasons: Got divorced, couldn't afford to stay at a PT job paying $8/hr with no benefits living outside DC without a second income (I loved that job, too!); relocated to another part of the state, but first went to New Zealand to travel for three months (ex-hubby paid for it, bless him)

Framing Designer – Did not earn enough to meet the US govt's minimum income requirement to sponsor my fiance's immigration visa (which is 125% of the povery level), and their too-little-too-late offer to give me a raise was still half what my next employer paid

Capital One call center supervisor – Work-related stress that was so severe that I was on unpaid leave for 4 months before finally resigning

Framing Designer (again) – Need better income and I am actively job hunting

In fact, I have an interview TOMORROW with -- can you believe it -- the international studies office at my alma mater! If I get the job I'll not only have come full circle, but will be earning more money than I've ever earned at any other job. FINGERS CROSSED!!!

~ Jenney

[PrincessPerky]

Left one cause the hours didn't fit with the other two jobs...

Left (was not asked back) one 'cause the bosslady thought if she didn't offer me a position the following year (I was a teacher) I would go to college for teaching..

Left one job cause I moved (moved for husband)...

Left one cause I hated it and my wonderful husband said I could...

Can't leave this one.. (mother)

[txjman]

Left my last job for more money, and because of a horrible working environment. Several others have jumped ship after I left.

[Thrifty Ray]

I left my last job primarily to stay home and be more availble for my elderly parents when they fall ill...to have more time for my DD3 (14)... to reduce the stress that had landed me in the hospital....and to help DS and DD1 start up/help run their pest business.

My prior job I left after almost 7 years because the company was cutting back and needed volunteers to take a severance package. I was remarried and DH had good insurance...some of my co-workers did not and I just did the best/right thing.

The other 3 jobs I left: 1. more money, better position, 2. they closed the branch I worked at and I chose not to relocate, 3. moved.

[msnln]

I left my previous job of 12 years after a "merger". They called it a merger but our company was bought out. The company that bought us out had office two blocks from our office and although the our senior management promised jobs for majority of employees, they themselves were fearing for their jobs.

Three months before the operations were to merge into new company, I was offered another position, with better pay. It was a smaller company but I saw a lot of growth potential. I have been here for a year and half and much happier, especially not having to worry about whether I will have a job in three months.

As for people who stayed behind, about 1/3 were retained by the new employee but they ended up doing lousy work. About 1/3 left (like me) to find other opportunities, and remaining third were let go after the merger. I don't know if the last 1/3 ever found another position.

[mschluckbier]

Most recently (ahem yesterday lol), I left because my job was being outsourced to India, and the environment was steadily going downhill. So, I (andm y fiancee) made the decision for me to become a SAHM again, and leave gracefully. Prior to that was either moving or pregnancy issues....sigh. I'll take what I got now though!

[DivaJen]

I left my last teaching job to be a SAHM. That was six years ago. Other than that, I left schools because I'd moved to a new city or wanted to try a different school in the same district.

This year I'm going back to teaching. DD will be in first grade at a preK-12 school, and I'll be teaching at her school. Prety good deal.

[Ima saver]

I left the best job I ever had (and loved) because the lady that had been there for over 25 years was so negative. It was depressing to be around her all day!

[jodi]

I left my last job for several reasons:
1. Money (of course). I started at $19,700 full time. After two years, I calculated how long it would take me to reach $25k in my current position, as there was very little room for advancement. It was so depressing I started to look for other options.
2. I decided to pursue another career - real estate sales. I kept my prior job part-time while getting established. I liked the idea of being in control of how much or how little I made, rather than knowing I was stuck at a certain salary until my next raise.
3. I could not stomach the job anymore. It was at a homeless teenage shelter in an inner-city enviroment on a street where there were gangs, guns, and drugs. I was so frustrated with the job that I felt I was no longer effective in it.
I wasn't looking to get back into that field, but an opportunity arose that was part-time, close to where I live, and pays half-time almost what I was making full-time. Now I've got the best of both worlds: stability in a job I like, plus the freedom to make more money selling houses.

[jacquelynrose]

I left my Job that I LOVED because I was not treated fairly, I was there for a year and a half and I did not get treated how I should have been treated. Also it was a Split shift and was hard on my daughter and my parents who took care of her before she went to Daycare and in the evenings....the PAY was bad, even after an 'economy' raise. I loved that place though Jerks. Now I make over $1 more and get more time off. : D AND OVERTIME!

[rusty@saving]

i left a job to move home and help my Mom who was sick(she is better now), left one because one of those "hatchet companies" came in to save $, and i was low man on the totem pole, left others for more $, and, of course, i have left with the whole ego driven "kiss my(you know what)". that hasn't happened in a long time though,LOL!!!

[lrjohnson]

I haven't left a job since I have been sober. Prior to that I was never let go from a job but had a lot of drama.