If you are leaving your job, here's how to handle your exit interivew.
The summer of the “great resignation’ might be over, but people are still saying “I quit” in record numbers… Maybe you’re one of them. If so, you’re not alone.
Over five million people are resigning every month. The quit rate has remained high for most of the year. Some are leaving toxic bosses and working in open offices with shared computers. Others are hoping for remote options or just a higher salary. Turns out, more than half of working Americans plan to find a new job over the next year according to Bankrate’s recent Job Seeker Survey. Their number one priority isn’t money or career advancement, but flexibility.
Regardless of your reasons, you might be asked to do an exit interview. If you were unhappy, chances are all you want to do is sing a few lines from “Take this Job and Shove it.” Except, it’s not the ‘70s and maybe taking advice from someone named Johnny Paycheck isn’t the best strategy. So take a cleansing breath. Exhale. And then consider these tips on how to handle your exit interview.
Do Some Solitary Venting
Consider writing an angry letter to your boss, knowing you will NEVER give it to them. I love this strategy… It lets you air your grievances without looping them into any of your actual dilemmas. While it’s not healthy to bottle up your emotions, airing your grievances before the HR staffer conducting your exit interview won’t help anyone. It will leave a bad last impression and unnecessarily burn bridges. So the day before your interview, write everything down. The physical act of writing (rather than typing on a laptop) is cathartic, even physical. Then keep the letter.
Another strategy is to unload on a trusted friend –– one without any ties to your company or industry. The point is to get it out. If you have time the day of the interview, consider a morning run or some time with weights. Both are awesome ways to eliminate toxic emotions and great techniques if you’re wondering how to handle your exit interview.
Hint: after you’re done venting, learn how to focus on what you have learned, and come from a place of gratitude when explaining that.
Prep Like It’s a Job Interview
Seriously, you’re getting an enormous opportunity. Although around 90% of Fortune 500 companies and mid-size companies conduct exit interviews, many others rely on written forms –– if they do anything at all! The secret is to take it seriously and treat it like a job interview. So, take the time a day or two before the appointment to review possible questions and work on your responses. The key is to remove emotion from the equation and instead present factual, succinct answers.
Most career sites like Indeed or Glassdoor offer a wide variety of possible exit interview questions you can review. The most common query, of course, is to ask why you are leaving. Be honest if it’s driven by salary or a desire for remote options, but be more circumspect if it’s motivated by a toxic boss or coworker. The truth is, more than half of all employees quit because of their managers, not their companies. Still, if your boss triggered you that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to get upset during your exit interview.
You’ll also likely be asked what the company can do better. Here again, prepare a short answer. This isn’t a good time for a lengthy diatribe (is there ever a good time for a lengthy diatribe?) That’s why it’s a good idea to prepare the night before. Finally get a good night’s sleep and try to eat something like steel cut oatmeal or at least drink a smoothie prior to the meeting. Don’t let low blood sugar hijack your emotions.
Leave a Clean Campsite
Was your boss a bully? Did you find your company’s open-office culture not just distracting but anxiety provoking as you worried about viral spread? Are you changing employers because your new one lets you work remotely? These are things you should address in the exit interview. That’s why I’m emphasizing techniques to keep it from becoming emotional or make it seem as if you’re haranguing the interviewer. The truth is no matter how serious your allegations are, they are more likely to be ignored if you’re screaming or being insulting. Instead, calmly and in as few words as possible, address the issue. Why? Because if enough departing employees mention your concern there’s a greater chance that something will be done. Even if you brought the issue up before, the fact that it was a factor in your resignation holds real weight. By being honest you are giving the company a chance to improve. That’s a real gift, if you can deliver the news with candor, and on a good note.
End on an Upbeat Note
Was one of your managers a mentor? Did you learn a new skill or develop an unexpected talent? Tell the interviewer. I strongly recommend that you conclude the interview with a positive attitude. There has to be something –– or lots of somethings –– that you loved about the company. Make a real effort to bring them up before you walk out the door.
There’s no point destroying whatever goodwill you earned. Imagine yourself ten years from now. Are you 100% certain you won’t need a reference? Many people who leave workplaces they disliked discover opportunities a few years down the road. There are innumerable examples of workers who quit a job only to get rehired years later. Besides, no matter how badly you feel about the company don’t forget that it was instrumental in landing your new position. That alone should give you an attitude of gratitude about the workplace you’re resigning from.
