How to Give a Resignation Reason That Won't Be Pushed Back On: Convincing Examples
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Category: Job Search Preparation & Interview Tips
Authors: Shusaku Yosa
When bringing up your resignation, many people feel anxious: "What if I'm strongly held back?" or "Can I quit smoothly?" Resignation reasons that are hard to push back on share common features, and if you put thought into how you convey them, you can move toward resignation amicably and smoothly. This article explains, in an easy-to-understand way, the conditions for a resignation reason that won't be pushed back on, convincing examples by type, and tips for how to convey it.
First, know which resignation reasons are easy to push back on. Reasons the company thinks it "can improve"—such as salary, relationships, or overtime—are easier to be held back on through offers like a raise or a transfer. On the other hand, personal circumstances that the company's power cannot solve leave little room for pushback and tend to be more readily accepted.
A resignation reason that is hard to push back on has the following three conditions.
Conversely, if you convey dissatisfaction as-is, you give a pretext for pushback such as "we'll improve it, so please stay." The point is to choose a reason that cannot be changed no matter how the company responds.
Here are convincing examples by type. Choose the one closest to your situation and put it into your own words.
Not only the choice of reason but also how you convey it affects pushback. Keep the following points in mind.
For the timing of bringing up your resignation and how to broach it with your boss, please also refer to our article on how to communicate your resignation.
Even if you choose a reason the company cannot solve, you may be held back at high-performing roles or short-staffed departments. In that case, it is important to convey your intention with a resolute attitude while showing gratitude. For specific ways to handle pushback such as "we'll raise your salary" or "we'll arrange a transfer," we explain them in detail in our article on amicable resignation and handling pushback.
We don't recommend false reasons. This is because contradictions can arise in your story, or trust can be damaged if it's found out later. It's safer to choose, from among your true feelings, a forward-looking aspect the company cannot solve and convey that.
On the resignation notice, writing "due to personal reasons" is enough. There's no need to write a detailed reason. Use the hard-to-push-back reason in the setting where you convey it verbally to your boss.
The stronger the pushback at a workplace, the more effective it is to choose a personal reason the company cannot solve and clearly show the firmness of your decision and the resignation date. If it's still difficult, there are also methods such as consulting the HR department or proceeding through procedures in line with the work rules.
A resignation reason that won't be pushed back on is a personal, forward-looking reason the company cannot solve or improve. If you convey it as a choice by your own will—family circumstances, health, a career change, further education, and so on—it becomes easier to be accepted. By clearly showing the firmness of your decision and the resignation date, and conveying it without forgetting gratitude, you can move toward an amicable and smooth resignation. Using the examples as a reference, prepare a way of conveying it that suits your situation.
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