Estimated reading time: 4 mins
Playing ball at an exit interview can be a great way to help make the transition out of a job easier and more comfortable for both parties. It can also create an atmosphere of mutual respect, understanding and appreciation that can be beneficial in future professional relationships. In this article I will discuss what cooperating at an exit interview is all about, why it’s a good idea, and how you can use it to your advantage with real life examples.
At its core, cooperating at an exit interview means taking the high road when it comes to talking about your previous employer or organisation. This means not speaking negatively about them, even if you feel like they might have wronged you in some way. It doesn’t mean lying or withholding information either; rather it’s about being honest but polite.
It could mean refraining from discussing things such as pay disputes or disagreements over working hours; instead choosing to talk positively about the skills and experience you gained while there and how they helped shape you into the professional you are today. Taking the high road in this situation shows maturity, self-control and respect for those who came before you – qualities which will serve you well in any profession going forward.
Why Is Cooperating Important?
In today’s competitive job market, employers are looking for candidates who demonstrate professionalism and integrity throughout every step of their career path, no matter how small or insignificant something may seem at first glance. A negative comment during an exit interview could leave a bad impression on potential employers and ultimately damage your chances of getting hired elsewhere down the line.
Additionally, many companies have policies that require employees to leave on good terms with their former employers – often times these policies include non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). If these NDAs are broken due to negative comments made during an exit interview, employees risk being sued by their former employer for breach of contract – something which nobody wants!
By taking the high road in these situations, however, employees can avoid all of these potential risks while still maintaining their integrity as professionals. Not only that but it also allows them to show potential employers that they are mature enough to handle difficult conversations without resorting to negativity or slander – something which is incredibly attractive in today’s job market.
Real Life Examples: How Can You Play Ball At Your Exit Interview?
So now that we know why cooperating is important let us look at some real life examples of how one could go about doing so:
- Be Positive & Respectful: As mentioned earlier this doesn’t mean lying but rather staying away from anything too negative – focus on the positive aspects of your time there instead like any new skills learnt or experiences gained – this will show potential employers that despite whatever issues may have occurred during your tenure there was still valuable learning done by both parties involved;
- Refrain from Discussing Pay Disputes: If there were any pay disputes between yourself and your previous employer don’t bring them up during your exit interview as this may damage any future professional relationship between yourself and them;
- Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Feedback: Asking for feedback from your previous employer upon leaving shows both maturity and respect – it also gives potential employers insight into how well respected you were amongst those who had worked with you before;
- Maintain Professionalism Throughout: Even if things do get heated keep calm and maintain professionalism throughout – again showing potential employers that despite any disagreements/issues that occurred during your time there was still some level of respect maintained between yourself and others;
- Understand That Things Change & Move On: Finally understand that sometimes things change within organisations – maybe roles weren’t quite right for each other anymore – don’t dwell on those changes but move forward positively instead – this again shows prospective employers mature handling of difficult situations which looks great on resumes,
Conclusion
Ultimately cooperating at an exit interview is important because it helps maintain good relationships with past employers while still demonstrating professionalism towards both current/future ones – something which looks great upon resumes. Not only does taking the high road help protect against possible legal repercussions (such as breaking NDAs), but it can also potentially lead to new opportunities further down the line through word-of-mouth recommendations etc.. It’s important though not just to talk positively but also stay away from anything too personal/negative as well – focus on highlighting past accomplishments instead.
