If you want to quit your job, there are many people who can relate to you. Sometimes you want to quit because you are frustrated with your boss, don't like your job anymore or just want to pursue another career. The tricky part is how to leave a job without burning any bridges. The reason you give your employer for resigning can make or break your ability to leave with a good reference or not. You never want to be caught in a lie so it's a good idea to carefully form the reason you are leaving. In all cases, be ready to deflect a counter offer too if your boss tries hard to keep you.

Offered a More Flexible Position

When you quit a job, you want to try to do so without offending your boss. If you're leaving your position for one that provides even a little bit more flexibility than you currently have, use this as an excuse to quit your job. Many jobs require that you work between specific hours of the day, so if your new position allows you to work half-days or periods of time from home, this is a great reason to give your boss. If he doesn't have any flexibility to give you in your current position, he'll understand why you're leaving and there will likely be no hard feelings.

Offered a Better Paying Position

Another area of your job that a supervisor may have little control over is how much he can pay you. If you're leaving for a new position, blame it on the fact that you will have a significant salary increase. If the new position isn't paying you more monetarily, but you're getting more vacation time or bonuses, you can generalize by saying that the job is compensating you more because ultimately it is. This is another aspect of your position that is less likely to create hard feelings because your boss might not have much of a say about your salary, especially in larger companies. If this is the case, he may be sorry to lose you, and end up apologizing for having to lose you because he can't pay you more.

Pursuing Different Career

Another good excuse for leaving a job that typically creates no hard feelings is wanting to pursue a different career. You can explain to your boss that you had a positive experience in your current position and you gained a lot from it. You can then go on to explain that what you learned in the position showed you that there are other areas in your professional life you would like to pursue. This is another good way to have your boss likely wish you well rather than be bitter when you leave.

Increased Family Commitments

Another common excuse for quitting a job is increased family commitments outside of work. Aging parents, newborns and blended families complicate many people's schedules. If this is a legitimate excuse for you or you can work this reason in, your boss is very unlikely to hold your resignation against you. Except in extreme circumstances, most people are sympathetic to these kinds of explanations for having to leave a job.