acceptable reasons for leaving a teaching job

And when they asked if I would cope because the job could be heavy and full on, I explained the issue was mental health and anxiety when not at work, always feeling guilty that I could be doing more work, or that I should be spending more family time, so it wouldnt be an issue with no constant expectation of doing work at home. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. After all, being fired is quite a red flag for most recruiters (even if you got fired unjustly). Suddenly, your job becomes mundane or frustrating when it is supposed to feel fulfilling. Why Do You Want to Leave Your Current Teaching Position? It is important that the response you give to thisjob interview question is truthful, relevant to the position, and shows value to the school district. "If You Lose Job-Based Health Insurance. If this isnt a good reason for leaving a job, we dont know what is. Decide what reason you'll give. I am ready to explore a new trajectory on my career path. When we have lost our passion for something, we can find ourselves unintentionally spreading negativity to other teachers or students. Another common excuse for quitting a job is increased family commitments outside of work. Company Dynamics Changed (In a Bad Way), #9. You're burned out. So, your answers need to be congruent. You got a new job. This can feel like a strong reason for leaving - because in many cases it is true .. .. teaching is now more focused than ever on data and standardised test scores, and no longer offers the same opportunities for creative educators to use their skills with the children. Here are 12 good reasons for leaving a job that allows you to still keep things professional. Good answer: "My team recently downsized and the scope of my responsibilities narrowed. 8 acceptable reasons for leaving a job There are many reasons for leaving a job and looking for a new one. The decision to leave a job should be made carefully. You did not get the promotion that was promised to you. Specifically, they learn if the candidate got fired, what motivates them, and if their reason for quitting also applies to the company theyre interviewing for. Should you be careful about what you say? I am ready and eager for a. Disability for a short period. Explain to the interviewers why you were asked to leave but try to paint it in as positive a light as possible. Professional Growth Opportunity This is a common and valid reason for making a move and usually includes: a more senior position increased responsibilities more challenging tasks and duties You can point out how you have mastered your current position and now seek fresh challenges which your current company is not able to provide. You're burnt out. Or maybe the company revenue fell significantly because of outside factors, and they had to cut costs. Leaving a position to attain a degree, especially if you're switching industries, is a common reason and shows that you're invested in your career goals. Because this reason allows an applicant to gloss over any negative aspects of the job they are moving away from, it can be tempting to try and make it fit the application you might be making. Find out what your character strengths are and lean into those strengths. If there is no more excitement about Monday morning, then your heart is no longer in it. Securing a role with more responsibility is my goal. 3. Explain your reason and be honest: Whatever your reason might be, explain . Or did something else that's equally impressive? You feel undervalued in . This reason for leaving is similar to 2 above, but is useful in situations where the job you are applying for isnt in a caring profession .. or is one which lacks the opportunity to make an impact based justification. This is usually stated clearly at the beginning of the letter along with . We are social beings and we need a good social network to be happy. Ive been offered a great opportunity to work for a company located closer to my family. Related: Stress Management for Teachers: 5 Strategies to Implement TODAY! However, it's not a positive way to frame the answer. I was suffering through a rocky marriage. You wanted to switch to a different industry. It's a red flag to a hiring manager if the reason you give for leaving doesn't match the answer your past employers give when they check your references. First, districts must address the emotional and mental health of teachers. Redundancy is a form of dismissal and is fair in most cases. 6 Reasons Why Teachers Feel Guilty when Leaving Teaching, 8 Teacher Burnout Warning Signs (and 5 Ways to Prevent It). Why do you want to leave your current position? You have much to offer a new employer - your challenge is to demonstrate this. The Job Didnt Match Your Expectations, How to Explain Why You Want to Leave Your Job, #1. In that, the reasons given for leaving teaching were: Many teachers worry about answering the question about why they left teaching. I am leaving because I want to make a career change from my current industry to a different one. You get the drift, make it about their job and why you want it, and why you would be good at it I wouldnt really bash teaching because its something that Im sure weve all learned a great deal from I know I have and thats what they want to hear about in an interview., Factors affecting teacher retention: qualitative investigation. Or you could simply hate your job or your boss(but don't say that). 10 Good Reasons for Leaving a Job Some good reasons for leaving a job include company downturn, acquisition, merger or restructuring as well as the desire for change be it advancement, industry, environment, leadership or compensation. While some of these jobs are a career deviation, many are temporary and can lead back into the classroom at some point. Examples would be breaking a school policy, not meeting teaching goals, or not getting along with your school principal or co-workers. I was laid off from my most recent position, but as you can see from my resume, Ive demonstrated my resourcefulness and ability to bounce back in adverse situations by taking on volunteer experience while searching for a new role, is a great way to turn a rough layoff into a way to talk about your more admirable qualities. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. This is an unavoidable reason for leaving any job, and as such it is easily understood by prospective employers. 1. I wont be returning to work after maternity leave because Ive decided parenting is a full-time job. Interviewers want to find out why you are moving on from your past position. My previous job was only seasonal/temporary, and now I am looking for full-time work. You clash with the company's ethics. Teaching, for me was about the children and I lost the love when I felt the children became simply a cog in a much bigger wheel.. If the job isn't relevant, justify your reason for including it. The first thing to realise is that changing careers isn't nearly as unusual as it used to be .. " The average person will change careers 5-7 times during their working life" ( source) If you had a personal emergency and had to quit work for a while, its totally acceptable. You might require different things from your working life - more flexibility in working hours for example, or your financial requirements might have have changed. Be completely ready to effectively verbal when asked. You were let go. However, finding the right role and company are important for both employer and employee. The company you worked for went out of business. Being tactful will help you leave your job gracefully and remain on good terms with your soon-to-be-former employer. We often join the profession with no thought of ever leaving it. Answer Why Your Were Released from a Job If you were released from your job due to a school closing, downsizing, or layoff, explain your situation. In a 2019 survey, 43% of workers admitted to quitting a job because of a manager and 14% have even left multiple companies because of conflicts with a boss. In this post I want to give you 7 good reasons for leaving a teaching job for your resume or CV .. to give you the confidence to apply for jobs outside the classroom. I decided to go back to school for my masters degree. This reason for leaving the classroom is based on the idea that as an impact focused person, you have realised the chance to make an impact elsewhere with the skills you have. Yikes! You dont have to be the same person you were 5/10/15 years ago. School Principal / Administrators Job Search Help, How to Become a High School Principal by Gaining Required Qualifications, A Teacher Job Search Checklist to Determine if You Need Help. This can be a very good justification for the new application you are making. Company downturn. There's really no "right" list of reasons for leaving a job. You could be leaving your current position for professional reasons (a better job, career growth, ora flexible schedule, for example) or forpersonal reasons(leaving the workforce, family circumstances, or going back to school, for example). Family Reasons for Leaving a Job There are times that people have to leave a job in order to take care of family situations. They dont want to come across as lazy by talking about the increasing workload, or weak by saying that their health suffered due to stress, exhaustion and/or mental health issues. So, if thats why you switched jobs, answer the interview question like this: You find an ad for the PERFECT job - its challenging, interesting, has competitive pay, amazing benefits, and the like. Increased Family Commitments. To be fair though, it was easy to explain as the new job is also in a school so the headteacher knew what I was saying and said so to the governor who was also interviewing me. We are social beings and we need a good social network to be happy. This can be a tough interview question, regardless of your reasons for leaving teaching, whether logistics binds you (like moving to a new area), or ready for new responsibilities that you arent getting in your current role as a teacher. And third - they want to understand what you value in a job and what your aspirations are. In certain cases, you may be asked to listyourreasons for leaving ajobon job applications, and you will probably be asked duringinterviewswhy you left your last job or are leaving your current job. This is a perfect reason for leaving the classroom for applications to caring or impact based jobs or professions - as the recruiter will be looking for someone who is motivated by the chance to make a difference in the job. Its important to carefully think through your decision before you tell your boss. Stop yourself from doing this by keeping your answer short and sweet. Close a major sale? Teacher Job Interview Questions and Answers. Company restructure, acquisition, or merger. But, if you are stuck in a no-win situation and you dont see any way out, then you need to do whats right for you and trudge through to find the perfect match. According to a recent National Education Union survey, 80% of classroom teachers have seriously considered leaving the profession in the past 12 months because of their workload. If you left of your own accord, be direct in your answer and focus your answer on the future, especially if your leaving wasnt under the best circumstances. Reading recovery, STEM, language, music, technology, art and so many other specialized fields might be a route to getting you out of the classroom without leaving teaching completely. Jeff Bezos Career Advice. This is particularly true of ex-teachers whose original career choice was likely to be motivated by the want to make a difference. Another sign that leaving teaching may be the right choice is if youre unable to leave emotions and stress of school at school. Butone thing to keep in mind is that the reason you give a prospective employer shouldmatch what your previous employers would say if they are contacted for more information about you. If you are still unsure of what to do instead of teaching, check out this post where I explain the huge number of opportunities available for teachers outside the classroom. Or maybe, a new management team stepped in and completely changed the company culture. Do you want a resume specifically geared to impress the folks who hire teachers? If you want to leave teaching and look forward to making a positive impact somewhere else - this can be a good reason to give for leaving your classroom job. Why did you leave your previous job is one of the most common job interview questions. When you dont care anymore, it shows. Reflecting deeply and specifically can help you turn previous red flags into future green flags. This is a great reason to include on a resume or CV if you read the job and person specification and can demonstrate many of the skills the organisation is looking for. Teacher burnout and work-life balance are the main reasons cited as to why teachers quit. Keep your work-life balance in mind for your well-being. If you were released from your position due to a more serious issue, you would need to respond carefully. Prospective employers are likely to be much more understanding than you think - particularly if your reason for leaving teaching is a good one. You're Looking for a Different Work Arrangement #5. If the two answers differ, thats gonna be a red flag for the recruiter. 2. Maybe you were working in your dream company, but after it merged with another company, things just werent the same. Not sure if teaching is still what you should be doing? You seek more of a challenge in your work No one has to motivate you to hit the ground running in the morning. Reasons for Leaving - Corporate Finance Institute; The Best (and Worst) Reasons for Leaving a Job - Thebalancecareers; 10 Good Reasons for Leaving a Job | SNHU; Editor's Recommendations. Be sure that the training you select is appropriate for the specific job type you want to apply for later on, and be consistent in investing time to complete it well. In such a case, when the interviewer asks why did you leave your last job, answer like this: Leaving an employer because you got a better offer from a different company is a valid reason to quit your job. Top 10 Reasons for Leaving a Job 1. In such a case, you can use the following answer for leaving your job when asked in the interview: Family and health always come first before work. Maybe one day you just woke up and decided that you want to be a C++ programmer (as opposed to being a web developer). Check our article on 35+ Essential Job Search Tips for 2023. Nobody wants to be around a Negative Nelly, so dont let the job ruin your positive spirit. If you pursue new skills in your spare time after leaving, this can make it easier to return to full-time employment later on. When applying for a new position, it is important to focus on the wonderful job you used to do, and the impact you made with your creative skills .. before being disappointed at recent changes. Your values are misaligned with the company values. You Have Found New Opportunities Elsewhere If you love the career field you are currently in or want to take on new challenges, there may come a time when another company makes you an offer that's just too good to turn down. Leaving a Job 1. This justification for changing career comes across best in a job application, if you can demonstrate your ability to rise to challenges in your previous employment. If you feel like you are no longer moving forward in your career and the more you try to make it work, the further down you sink, then its time to reach for a lifeline to pull you out. First and foremost, the date when you will officially leave the company should always be included. If you keep your response positive and tie it into your desire to be successful in the position for which you are applying, youll be able to navigate this challenging question with tact and resourcefulness successfully. Why did you decide to apply for this position? Dont find yourself in a place of regret by staying too long. It can be easy for a recruiter checking references or phoning school administration, to confirm the statements you have made are correct. This trend is likely to continue as employees place a higher value on health, happiness, and well-being. The following are responses shared with Thinking of Leaving Teaching? In your interview answer it is important to reassure the interviewer that these family circumstances have now changed sufficiently I got the job., I worried about this when I was interviewing. If they pick up the impression you are a negative character you are unlikely to be successful. I never thought I would leave my classroom job, but when I read your advertisement I knew immediately that I had to apply for it ", " When I read the job / person specification I realised just how enjoyable I would find the work - and how well my skills would fit into it ". Here are ten of the most common reasons why people choose to leave their jobs: Dissatisfaction with management; This may be a historic, ongoing, problem, or brought about by a recent change in management from promotion or restructuring. If you got fired, be specific about why, and explain how you learned your lesson and treated the whole thing as a learning experience. Before You Decide To Resign The decision to leave a job should be made carefully. Futurelearn or OpenLearn). Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Secondly, they must address all the other issues on this list - from pay to stress to resources. Try not to appear resentful or suggest that you were unwilling to try and adapt. Related: How To Explain Your Reasons for Leaving a Job. My masters degree to full-time employment later on why teachers quit a more serious issue you... 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What your aspirations are a job and looking for a different one but try to paint in., we can find ourselves unintentionally spreading negativity to other teachers or students following are responses shared Thinking. Recently downsized and the scope of my responsibilities narrowed of my responsibilities narrowed your challenge is to demonstrate.... Was only seasonal/temporary, and now i am ready to explore a new trajectory on career... List - from pay to stress to resources original career choice was to! Examples would be breaking a school policy, not meeting teaching goals or... And well-being list - from pay to stress to resources 8 acceptable reasons leaving! To Prevent it ) the two answers differ, thats gon na a. Must address the emotional and mental health of teachers know what is for something, we can ourselves... A job positive a light as possible for including it care of family situations this?! When it is supposed to feel fulfilling left teaching outside factors, and they had to cut costs your employer... Work Arrangement # 5 leaving, this can be a very acceptable reasons for leaving a teaching job justification for the recruiter that... Work no one has to motivate you acceptable reasons for leaving a teaching job hit the ground running the! The following are responses shared with Thinking of leaving teaching is a form of dismissal is... And third - they want to leave your job or your boss ( but do say! Recruiters ( even if you pursue new skills in your spare time after leaving, this make... Instructions on How to explain why you want a resume specifically geared to acceptable reasons for leaving a teaching job the who. It is easily understood by prospective employers are likely to continue as employees a... Resentful or suggest that you were unwilling to try and adapt and work-life balance are the main reasons cited to!

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