How to Answer: What type of situation would make you quit your job?
15. What type of situation would make you quit your job?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know what type of situation would cause you to quit your job, so they can assess how patient you are and what your threshold for stress may be. If you have ever quit a job before, you can discuss the situation but avoid speaking poorly of any employer in the past. Make sure that your example is one that could be justified easily. You want to avoid appearing dramatic or oversensitive.
Answer Example
"I have never quit a job; however, I think it would take a very severe situation such as illegal financial operations or if I were asked to participate in an activity that was criminal."
Admin
"Earlier in my career, I quit my job because the work environment was highly toxic. The manager would gossip about other employees, and the owner of the company would scream and yell at everyone. I found a new position quickly and do not regret that situation."
Manager
"For me to quit my job, the situation would need to be dire. I have a strong tolerance for stress and can work with a wide variety of personalities. I would quit a job if there were some inappropriate activity such as ongoing harassment or if the work was unsafe."
Marketing
"Marketing can be a stressful industry, but it's also highly collaborative one. I would not enjoy my job if the environment were not a team effort, or if creativity was not encouraged. Before quitting a job; however, I would take all possible action to change the situation around before giving my notice."
Retail
"I would never quit a job without notice as I want to be respectful of my employers. The type of situation that would cause me to quit would be if the environment were combative and disrespectful."
Sales
"I have quit my job once in my life, and it was because my company told me that I needed to relocate or risk losing half of my territory. I felt neither was a good option so I gave my notice and began looking for a new position."
Teacher
"So much of what I do as an educator is highly regulated, due to the teachers' union. I cannot readily think of a situation that would be so unbearable that the only solution would be to quit. Perhaps if my coworkers were awful, but even then - I prefer to focus on the positive parts of my job."
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