Job Advice: How to Handle the Exit Interview
- Author Elizabeth Freedman
- Published May 12, 2011
- Word count 405
Planning to leave the office? Jump ship? Head on to greener pastures? Happens all the time. Here’s what doesn’t happen all the time: The Graceful Exit. When you consider the various ways you’ll say goodbye to your current employer, don’t overlook your exit interview. Consider:
Before you walk into an exit interview, prepare. If you’ve never been through one of these before, know that from an HR perspective, an exit interview is a learning opportunity, giving your employer a chance to find out why you’re leaving and learn how to fix things for next time. From an employee’s perspective, these sessions may seem like a case of too little, too late, particularly if you’re asked common questions like, "Why are you deciding to leave the company?" "Were you happy with your salary and benefits?" Don’t take this opportunity to wing it or play it by ear or over share, have carefully thought-out responses to questions, so that you don’t allow emotions or your less-than-loving feelings about your employer cloud your judgment.
• Why is it so important to prepare for an exit interview? If you think first impressions count, consider the last impression: It’s forever! Think about it: With first impressions, you’ve got opportunities to make up for any blunders or mistakes you made along the way. But if your mistake is made right before you exit the lobby of your office building, it’s going to be much harder to erase that image from people’s minds. And the last impression of last impressions as far as work is concerned, is usually the exit interview.
• Here’s why prep is really key: You may be tempted to unload, pour your heart out, or simply vent about what a witch your boss was. Don’t do this: Even if the HR rep seems sympathetic, this is risky for you and your reputation. Bite your lip if you must, but don’t, repeat, don’t turn your exit interview into drama or a work-bashing session. Instead, answer questions politely and briefly, and leave. Don’t stick around long enough to say something you’ll regret. Leave on a high note, with your reputation and legacy intact. You never know – you may want to work for these folks again one day, so create a positive experience for yourself – and them – as you walk out the door.
Elizabeth Freedman is an expert in career and workplace issues. She is the author of Work 101: Learning the Ropes of the Workplace without Hanging Yourself and The MBA Student’s Job-Seeking Bible, and was a 2005 finalist for College Speaker of the Year, awarded by the Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities. Elizabeth runs a Boston-based career-development and coaching firm. Please visit http://www.elizabethfreedman.com
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- You Can Still Apply for Jobs Even Without Fulfilling Every Requirement
- Streamline Your Job Applications: Using a Spreadsheet and ChatGPT to Create Custom Resumes
- Navigating Employment Law in the Modern Workplace: Insights from Valery Rogalskiy
- BRIDGING THE GAP: VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR SOUTH AFRICA'S TOMORROW
- An Overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act
- Embracing Diversity - Strategies to Combat Age Bias in the Hiring Process
- Navigating Office Challenges: The Transformative Power of Shared Memories and Achievements
- Needs Assessment Techniques for Creating Impactful Training
- 7 Essential Factors to Consider When Job Searching with a Felony Record
- The Path To Becoming A Dentist In The USA
- STARTING YOUR CAREER IN 2023
- Exit Interview: How To Conduct An Exit Interview Effectively
- Thrive in Solitude? Hand-Picked 30 Ideal Jobs Best for Introverts
- Reasons You Need Job Consultants for Finding the Best Placement Opportunities!
- Present Yourself as a ‘No Brainer’ to Hire
- You Believing Hiring Should Be Fair is the Problem
- As a Job Seeker There Are 3 Job Search Truisms You Need to Accept
- When Job Hunting Make Finding a Great Boss Your Priority
- How to Implement an Agile RPO Strategy?
- The Three Managerial Types that Will Make You Want to Walk Out the Door—and What to Do About It
- The Greatest Indian Takeaway
- 10 Compelling Reasons Why You Need a Freelancer
- 7 Horrible Mistakes you could make with Freelance Marketplaces
- What NOT to Do in the Freelance Industry
- Addicted to Freelancing? 6 Reasons We Just Can't Stop it
- The Biggest Problems with Freelancing and How You Can Fix them
- Will Freelancing Ever Rule the World ?
- Why Fresh Graduates Are Unemployed?
- How to Turn Your Passion Into a Career
- Will Remote Working Become the Norm after COVID-19?