Exit Interview Strategies That Will Strengthen Your Relationships With Former Employers was originally published on Ivy Exec.
Leaving your job can be a bittersweet experience since you now have better opportunities or the chance to explore a different career. But, you’re leaving coworkers you bonded with and bosses who have helped you grow and improve your skills.
Most people consider exit interviews a hurdle they need to jump before moving to the next job. But, it presents an opportunity to strengthen your relationship with former employers. You can gain valuable insights and add former bosses to your professional network.
If you have an upcoming exit interview, here are some strategies to leverage it.
✔ Try to Remain Positive and Professional
It’s easy to focus on the negatives when quitting a job, especially if you’re leaving because the environment wasn’t ideal. But your exit interview isn’t the best place to air some concerns.
Be positive and show your previous employer that you can still be professional even if you have differences. Start by acknowledging the positive experiences with the company. Talk about the good relationships you built and the skills you gained. You can also mention projects you enjoyed and unique leadership opportunities you got. Focusing on these areas sets a good tone for the exit interview.
While it’s good to remain positive, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be honest. Don’t hold back if you have some feedback that could help the employer treat their workers better or improve the company.
Giving them your input is incredibly valuable to the employer. But it’s important to put it in a way that shows you want to help the company instead of just pointing out flaws.
If, for example, you didn’t like the firm’s management style, don’t say their leaders are terrible. Instead, communicate the areas you’d like them to work on and the positive impact that might have.
For instance, tell them you would have been more productive if the managers had communicated consistently. This method strengthens your feedback and gives the person interviewing you actionable tips.
✔ Be Ready for Questions
Your employer will likely have questions about why you are leaving the company. Preparing for this part will ensure they don’t catch you off guard. It allows you to develop thoughtful responses that ultimately improve your relationship.
As you prepare for the questions, ensure you are confident. Your responses should provide solutions to problems the employer might be unaware of.
Some questions to expect include:
- Why did you decide to look for another job?
- Were you happy during the time you worked here?
- Do you think we provided you with enough room for growth?
- Were the managers and colleagues supportive?
- Did the company provide all the resources needed for the job?
Your former boss will likely ask if there is any measure they could have taken to retain you, especially if they are dealing with high turnover. Providing honest responses allows them to acknowledge their contribution to your exit.
The answer might not necessarily involve bad leadership or a toxic environment. You might be leaving because you found a better-paying role or one that aligns with your interest.
In the first case, you can tell the employer that you might have stayed if they had a comprehensive incentive program. In the second one, you can let them know you could have enjoyed duties or projects matching your interests.
✔ Be Thankful
Expressing gratitude is a great way to impress your previous employer and build a positive relationship. During the exit interview, thank them for allowing you to work with them.
Mention different ways you’ve grown and how this will help you in the future. For example, tell them you didn’t have good problem-solving skills when taking the job. After that, mention how your roles challenged you to be a strategic critical thinker.
Talking about positive experiences shows the employer you value your time with the company. It’s a sign that you appreciate your coworkers’ role in your professional journey.
Did your former employer provide you with training or mentorship opportunities? If so, don’t forget to thank them for this during the exit interview. Mention how these opportunities helped you do your job better. Explain how you will benefit from the skills you gained even after you leave the company.
✔ Ask for the Employer’s Feedback
An exit interview helps you learn to be more efficient in your next job. Your former employer may have some feedback regarding your work or soft skills. They may also want to commend your attitude or ability to get along with others.
Ask for your former employer’s feedback to show them you still value their opinion. Request ideas on how to improve on the negative aspects they highlighted. Encourage them to be open when responding and practice active listening.
It’s tempting to defend yourself when your former employer gives you negative feedback. For example, they may mention that you often missed deadlines, but you feel it wasn’t fully your fault. Even if other things may be the reason for your shortcomings, your exit interview isn’t the best place to talk about them.
Let the former employer know that you acknowledge your shortcomings and are taking steps towards improvement. For example, you can tell them you are practicing time blocking to manage your work.
✔ Express Your Interest in Future Collaboration
You may be leaving a company, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still work with your former employer. Collaboration opportunities may come up if you are starting a business. You may also need them to train your employees if you take a leadership role in a new firm.
Inform your former employer that you want to keep them in your professional network. Let them know that they can reach out to you if an opportunity suitable for you arises. This could be in the form of consulting or doing freelance work. It might also be a chance to rejoin the firm in a different role or the same one with better pay.
Build Your Network With Exit Interviews
An exit interview helps you learn and express gratitude to your former employer. Preparing for it will help you ask the right questions and set a good foundation for future collaboration.
Be respectful and reflect positively on your experience with the company. It’s also good to give the former employer ideas on improving the workplace and their leadership style.
