By: Shona TischnerDuring your career, you’ll likely switch positions and employers at least once, often multiple times. Employment changes for many reasons, including moving cities, changes in life circumstances, or employer-led decisions. The prevalence of switching jobs means you’ve likely prepared well for being hired. You have an up-to-date resume and cover letter. You are prepared to make a stellar impression during your hiring interview. But have you prepared for an exit interview, or how you’ll leave an impression when you leave an organization?
The legal world is an interconnected community, which is why it’s so important to maintain professional relationships and a network, whether you’re searching for a new position or leaving one. Your exit interview is your opportunity to provide constructive feedback to your employers and leave on good terms. Let’s look closer at why an exit interview is so important and how to be memorable for the right reasons.
As you leave a job position, you want to leave a lasting impression. You’ll likely be asking your current employer for references as you seek a new position, even if you already have a new role lined up or plan to take a break before returning to work. That’s part of the reason why an exit interview matters for you, the employee.
There’s also personal growth that comes with seeking an exit interview. Reflecting on your experience gives you perspective on what you’ve learned during your employment. It allows you to provide feedback, both positive and constructive, to your employer. Taking the time to give an exit interview demonstrates your professionalism and dedication to the company, even as you leave. Leaving that impression can help you when you ask for a reference.
Staying professional and respectful during your exit interview will be most beneficial to you. If you have feedback to provide, frame it in a way that is helpful, not confrontational. This way, your words will be better received by your employer. Try to balance your positives and negatives, acknowledging what worked well and any areas that need improvement.
Writing down your talking points before your interview can help you sort your emotions on the subject from your actionable feedback. While you may be tempted to vent your frustrations on your way out, your employer, supervisor, or manager conducting your interview will be far more responsive to facts and examples rather than your feelings.
No matter how serious your discussion progresses, it’s essential to leave on a positive note. Staying positive reaffirms your professionalism and leaves a final impression that reflects your best self. You can express gratitude and acknowledge any colleagues or mentors who influenced you during your employment, or you can highlight the positive experiences you gained. Creating a positive final interaction helps you keep your doors and options open. You never know when your paths may cross again.
Now that you’ve read through the best practices for conducting an exit interview, let’s review the top three mistakes to avoid to stay professional.
#1 Avoid Burning Bridges: Focusing on the negative and leaning too heavily on your emotional feedback (not constructive feedback) can backfire and reflect badly on you, rather than your grievances. Leaving a lasting impression of unprofessionalism can result in a negative reference if you ask for one in the future.
#2 Blaming Individuals: Your exit interview is not the time or place to bring up personal grievances or begin accusing co-workers of issues. Those concerns are better addressed at the moment they happen or soon after. Keep your exit interview feedback focused on your overall experiences, rather than rehashing personal interactions.
#3: Being Too Vague: While we’ve emphasized the importance of keeping your feedback general, as in leaving out specific personal complaints, it’s also helpful to avoid being too vague. Remember that your interviewer needs specifics to make meaningful organizational changes.
Your exit interview is a professional opportunity, not just a formality. When you approach it as you would your entrance interview, you’ll leave a positive impression that may be the key you need in your next job application. If you’re ready to pursue the next step in your career, reach out to Shona to explore career opportunities today.
