TennisandSales profile picture
TennisandSales profile picture

TennisandSales

Head Of Sales

Politicker
Acclaimed Answer
Executive
+9

How do you handle Exit interviews?

Ok so i have an exit interview scheduled next week and Im trying to decide how to handle it. Ive only ever done 1 other exit interview.


I know they are going to ask for the reasons why im leaving.


the main one is becuase the opportunity is to good to turn down, but there are other items under that like how they handled comp, how my boss lead the team and stuff that are for sure factors.


do i keep doing what ive been doing and just hold back the bad stuff and just kinda coast through?


OR


Do i spill the tea on this HR rep?

🗣 Interviewing
19

20 comments

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Sunbunny31
Politicker
8
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
The big question for me is what you hope to accomplish in the exit interview.
Do you think blunt honesty will lead to any positive change? Do you think that discussing your manager's poor leadership could come back and affect you somehow downroad? What do you want your employer to know about your time with them?

CuriousFox
WR Officer
4
🦊
Yes. And remain professional yet friendly too. ❤
TheEnglishMajor
Opinionated
2
Account Executive
Second this. I recently told my HR manager that I would only do an exit interview and be brutally honest if she could promise to try and enact change based on the information, because what she would hear from me has become part of a growing trend and toxic culture. I genuinely wanted to help the people who were still there

Sunbunny31
Politicker
1
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
I appreciate that. I'd be hard pressed to believe it would actually work, but I'm jaded at this point.
HVACexpert
Politicker
6
sales engineer
Do you want to burn the bridge or not? I have never been a fan of burning a bridge, it’s always a possible business or networking opportunity in the future. But if you don’t think that will happen or don’t want anything to do with them, then light that $&%! On fire on the way out!
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
5
☕️
I’ve done both. The time I spilled the tea, it was wiped up and wrung into the lap of my manager after I left. He refused to act as a reference, which was fair.

I typically only share feedback that can help the org improve, and not often specific to one individual.
Pachacuti
Politicker
4
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
Is this a place you’d ever want to come to? Would you ever want a recommendation or referral from them?

I left a company for similar reasons years ago. I took the high road although I mentioned in the EI that my boss needed some help because he was a functioning alcoholic. I don’t know if HR did anything or even cared.

Anyway, I would take option 1.
Nairobi
Politicker
4
AE
I say everything that I think just because that’s how I am. I do need to learn how to hold back though haha
Coastal_crusher
Politicker
3
Sales Director
Tough pill to swallow but imho the best course of action is to provide a bit of neutral feedback and wish them well. I’ve wanted to cause a storm and leave before lol but you just never know if you’ll need that connection even a few months from now.

Life comes at you fast. If you wanna vent you are welcome to vent here
RandyLahey
Politicker
3
Account Executive
Explore both paths and write down the benefits of each, and the potential harm caused by each.
I always try to limit the "bad stuff", as when I go down that road I tend to ramble. The risk/reward ratio of spilling the beans is usually not beneficial.
Less is more. You've good a fantastic opportunity, so focus on that as the main driver for your switch.
TonyDollaz
Opinionated
2
Account Executive
Following - I have one today & am wondering the same.
punishedlad
Tycoon
2
Business Development Team Lead
Depends on how the exit went...
If it's mutual and you're on good terms, honesty and cordiality are good.
If it's hostile or a shitty exit experience, I go hard and make sure I let them know everything they're doing wrong and why they deserve no date on Valentine's day.
cwazyeurodriver
Fire Starter
2
Senior Director of Sales
You don't want to " burn bridges", professionally explain why you are leaving, and the challenges that need to be addressed. Do not mention names of soon-to-be ex-coworkers. Just state the facts. Never know when you might need to go back or if you advance and there is an opening that you'd go back and try to make major changes from your past experiences in that same company.
Diablo
Politicker
1
Sr. AE
Following — I am preparing for one soon 😅
Maximas
Tycoon
1
Senior Sales Executive
I guess you need to keep it simple my man, just tell them that you're leaving for a better opportunity and whenever you decide to go somewhere else it will be definitely them again:)
FoodForSales
Politicker
1
AE
I wouldn't burn a bridge
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
1
Sales Rep
I am big on not having anything bad to say in writing. If you want to give them "advice" better to do it to them in person without HR and when they are open to it.
Plus if things every go bad, they will welcome you back.
GDO
Politicker
0
BDM
You can hint on some bad stuff but I would not really spill the beans
Justatitle
Big Shot
0
Account Executive
The more you share the better you potentially make it. If the company doesn't want to deal with more reps leaving they might address the problems that you put forth.
Fenderbaum
Politicker
0
Retired Choirboy🪕
In my experience an exit interview never changed anything for the better. Nobody cares about opinions of those leaving. I passed on an exit interview after a 33-year career. Could I have spilled the beans on how lame a particular supervisor was or how this or that? Of course, but what's the point? Karma will get ya at some point. Burning bridges should be reserved for those making dying declarations.

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