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Is there any point in doing an exit interview? It feels a lot like Miranda rights - "anything you say can and will be used against you". Note: not for you. I

Is there any point in doing an exit interview? It feels a lot like Miranda rights - "anything you say can and will be used against you". Note: not for you. If you work somewhere good, then you will presumably have tried to change things before leaving. If you work somewhere with issues, then the exit interview won't change anything.

vosper 12y ago
I think it's an opportunity to cast your employment in a good light, leave on a positive note (maybe that's even true in a lot of cases), and maintain your relationships. I certainly don't see any value in venting or burning bridges - you've already quit, now let it go; ranting doesn't do you any favours, even if it feels great.
- deleted 12y ago
  [deleted]
- nemo44x 12y ago
  I agree with this. Use it at as an opportunity to say pleasant things about the company and people you worked with, considering you're leaving because you found a new job and not because you were harassed, etc. You will probably run into some of these people again or they will know people you use to work with at such-and-such company.
- rogerbinns 12y ago
  I meant the alternative of not doing one at all. As opposed to venting, or trying to change things. Even if you try to be positive it is problematic. Firstly if you are so positive, then why are you leaving? Secondly even only being positive means you leave things out. How is someone going to feel when they read it, and see you don't mention them or mention them enough. The good light/positive leaving can be better accomplished by your farewell email, as you get to choose who it goes to (most likely far more people than just the exit interview) and you can put in it whatever you want.
amelius 12y ago
You considered only the cases of honest/good and honest/bad exit interviews. Also interesting to consider might be: dishonest/good. And "dishonest" does not mean you have to lie about anything.
eli 12y ago
Well, it's an opportunity to improve the company. Just because you're leaving doesn't mean you don't care about the company or the people who work there. As someone who has given a few exit interviews (albeit at startups, not a big company) we sometimes get really useful feedback. I've never had anyone say anything in an exit interview that made me think any less of them.
- rogerbinns 12y ago
  Waiting till an exit interview to improve the company is the worst time and manner of doing so. In a company that you care about and can be improved you should be doing so a lot earlier. Once you give up and leave isn't going to achieve anything.
  - eli 12y ago
    Doing so earlier would be better. Doing it never would be worse.
shostack 12y ago
Another way to think of it is: People often remember ex-employees more for how/why they left, than what they actually did while employed. Depending on how high up you were, etc., there's a decent chance word will get around on any relevant bits. I always try to leave places on as good standing as possible. The exit interview can be a great opportunity to solidify that, as well as wrap up any loose threads (asking to use them as a reference, making sure they know they can still reach out if they have questions, etc.). There may be other chances to do so, but depending on circumstances, maybe not.

vosper 12y ago

I think it's an opportunity to cast your employment in a good light, leave on a positive note (maybe that's even true in a lot of cases), and maintain your relationships. I certainly don't see any value in venting or burning bridges - you've already quit, now let it go; ranting doesn't do you any favours, even if it feels great.

deleted 12y ago
[deleted]
nemo44x 12y ago
I agree with this. Use it at as an opportunity to say pleasant things about the company and people you worked with, considering you're leaving because you found a new job and not because you were harassed, etc. You will probably run into some of these people again or they will know people you use to work with at such-and-such company.
rogerbinns 12y ago
I meant the alternative of not doing one at all. As opposed to venting, or trying to change things. Even if you try to be positive it is problematic. Firstly if you are so positive, then why are you leaving? Secondly even only being positive means you leave things out. How is someone going to feel when they read it, and see you don't mention them or mention them enough. The good light/positive leaving can be better accomplished by your farewell email, as you get to choose who it goes to (most likely far more people than just the exit interview) and you can put in it whatever you want.

amelius 12y ago

You considered only the cases of honest/good and honest/bad exit interviews. Also interesting to consider might be: dishonest/good. And "dishonest" does not mean you have to lie about anything.

eli 12y ago

Well, it's an opportunity to improve the company. Just because you're leaving doesn't mean you don't care about the company or the people who work there. As someone who has given a few exit interviews (albeit at startups, not a big company) we sometimes get really useful feedback. I've never had anyone say anything in an exit interview that made me think any less of them.

rogerbinns 12y ago
Waiting till an exit interview to improve the company is the worst time and manner of doing so. In a company that you care about and can be improved you should be doing so a lot earlier. Once you give up and leave isn't going to achieve anything.
- eli 12y ago
  Doing so earlier would be better. Doing it never would be worse.

shostack 12y ago

Another way to think of it is: People often remember ex-employees more for how/why they left, than what they actually did while employed. Depending on how high up you were, etc., there's a decent chance word will get around on any relevant bits. I always try to leave places on as good standing as possible. The exit interview can be a great opportunity to solidify that, as well as wrap up any loose threads (asking to use them as a reference, making sure they know they can still reach out if they have questions, etc.). There may be other chances to do so, but depending on circumstances, maybe not.