18 Things You Should Never Say During An Exit Interview
When you quit a job, there's a good chance HR will ask you to partake in an exit interview
People
tend to have mixed feelings about these conversations. Some say
an exit interview is the ideal opportunity to be completely
honest about your experiences with your employer and offer them
critical and constructive feedback; while others argue it's
awkward and not worth the risk of burning bridges, as your
criticism probably won't inspire any significant changes,
anyway.
But
regardless of your attitude toward the exit interview, it's
imperative that you be cordial and professional.
"This
could be the last impression you'll leave your employer with,"
says Michael Kerr, an international business speaker and
author of "You
Can't Be Serious! Putting Humor to Work
."
"And don't think this conversation doesn't matter since
you're leaving anyway. People talk. It's your reputation and
your personal brand on the line. And those will travel with you
wherever you go."
You
also never know when you'll work for that HR manager or boss
again. "I can't tell you how many boomerang stories I've
heard where employees return back to their former employer
after a year or two, or even wind up working with those
colleagues elsewhere," Kerr says. "No matter how
certain you are you won't return or come in contact with these
people again, never
burn
bridges."
Here
are 18 phrases you should avoid in every exit interview:
"I
never really liked [coworker]," or, "[Name] was never
very nice to me."
Don't
get personal. "Attacking certain managers or employees
will only reflect poorly on you, and make you come across as
bitter or vengeful," Kerr says. "It's okay to discuss
some behaviors that you feel had an impact on your decision to
leave, but resorting to name calling or character assassination
will never get you far and will only make it look like you were
the difficult person to get along with."
"My
boss was the worst because..."
Lynn
Taylor, a national workplace expert and the author of “Tame
Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss
Behavior and Thrive in Your Job,
" says you must remember that just because you're
not speaking directly with your boss, doesn't mean you should
lose your cool or make any last-minute snarky comments. "
By being too honest
about your manager you can shoot yourself in the foot if you
ever want to return to the company, or expect a good reference
from that boss," she says. "Remember to keep your
comments general, concise, and make them overall positive."
"This
place is a sinking ship."
"
Why do people feel compelled to make remaining employees feel
badly just because you are moving on? I don ' t get it. But
stop it, " says Dana Manciagli., a carer expert.
Kerr
agrees. "Never wish them poor by saying things like, 'I
hope this company dies a slow, painful death.' If you are
leaving on bad terms you may feel this deep inside, but using
your outside voice to express this is a big no-no that will
only serve to make you look petty and spiteful, and it'll will
say more about you than it does about the company."
"I
heard [name] did [xyz]," or, "[Name] was actually the
one responsible for that error."
Don't
gossip, and definitely don't throw your colleagues under the
bus. It's unprofessional and unkind.
"I
was really amazing at this job," or, "Good luck
running this business without me."
Don't
gloat about how fabulous you were, thus implying that it's a
huge loss on their part, Kerr says. The time to boast a bit may
have been on the way in, not on the way out. "It's fair to
say that you felt like your talents weren't being used fully
and to offer examples, but it's not wise to tell them you were
the greatest thing since sliced bread and they're going to be
sorry after you're gone."
"No
comment."
Now's
not the time to be curt, non-responsive or offer a terse, "no
comment." "Being evasive or tight lipped will only
make it seem as though you are hiding something and not
cooperating with the process," Kerr explains.
"This
company's pay is not market-competitive," or, "I'm
leaving because I was offered a lot more money elsewhere."
Don't
make it about money. "A statement about your compensation,
even though it may be true, will be perceived as a negative
slam against the company in your future career endeavors,"
Taylor says.
Manciagli
agrees: "Unless you have done a statistically sound market
study, then you do not know if your pay was
market-competitive."
"I
never really liked where I sat," or, "The printers
never worked."
Don't
focus on trivial matters, Kerr says. "Focusing on minor,
trivial items will make you appear high maintenance and be
viewed as wasting everyone time. Instead, offer constructive
ideas on larger systemic issues that you feel might have a
serious and lasting impact on the culture."
"This
is the worst company I have ever worked for."
"You're
basically nailing the coffin shut on any opportunity to return
to that company, or have the company be a positive reference,"
Manciagli says. "There is no upside to bashing the company
you are exiting. None."
Taylor
says your time to try to change things and communicate any
issues you had was during your employment, not as you leave.
"My
new job/company is amazing."
"Don't
minimize your former employer by bragging about how you're
moving onto much bigger and better things," Kerr advises.
"It's great to be positive about the future and show
enthusiasm, but don't do it in such a way that comes across as
a backhanded compliment."
"I
think [name] is really unhappy here," or, "Nobody is
happy here."
Don't
speak for others. "This can hurt you in the eyes of people
who may have shared confidences with you," Kerr says.
"Just make this about your story, no one else's."
Also,
d on't try to suggest the ship is going down with you. "Even
if it's true, your coworkers won't appreciate it, and you're
not their spokesperson," Taylor says. "If they're
about to jump ship, that will be their task."
"I'd
never work here again"
"If
it was so miserable for you while you were earning a paycheck
and benefits, then why did you stay?" Manciagli asks.
"Every employee has choices to make. I don't see bars on
the windows and doors or your feet chained to the floor. Yet
now, because you are on your way out, you disclose it was that
bad. A little dramatic for my taste and makes you look totally
unaccountable for your own career."
Plus,
remember that your last day is rarely the last affiliation
you'll have with your employer.
Kerr
says it may be difficult to find the right balance between
being honest and cordial, especially if you've got any pent up
anger or frustrations — but he says if you frame your
opinions in such a way "that you are first and foremost
thinking about what's best for the company, you'll have a far
greater chance of having a real impact and leaving a more
positive impression."
By Jacquelyn Smith | Business Insider –
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