How to keep my exit interview professional

[amplitoad]

I'm leaving my current school tomorrow for a new one after half term. I have only now just been asked to attend an exit interview tomorrow (lol - great example of why I'm leaving).

How do I keep it civil while still being honest? Want good references in future, as tempting as it is to roast them to shit.

My grievances are largely with awful HoD line management. Bad morale (in part to the bad/non-existent management), feeling like I'm treated with little respect/not part of the so called 'team'. No appreciation of what and how much we do. The three times I asked for help, I was dismissed/told off for asking/had eyes rolled at me/told it's not their job. etc etc

I can elaborate further if people would like.

Or do I just smile and say a half truth - the new school is simply paying 25% more for the same role...

 

[seebee]

I have never heard of an exit interview.
Does this happen in most schools?
I would refuse.

 

[Skeoch05]

If the exit interview is with the headteacher, I'd just be honest. If it's with the HoD, I'd just refuse and say it's not my job.

I've known of a few places that do exit interviews.

 

[Smiff12]

I would just tell the truth but in a way that didn't come across as aggressive or whiney. If they don't know then they can't fix it ( although I think if I were in your shoes here, they would nod and say all of the right things and then just ignore me because I'd be gone) You will hopefully have some good points to add into the mix too to counterbalance the negatives. I'm a big believer in telling them the truth though. Good luck!

 

[Skoll]

I would be as honest as possible with them, up until the point where you're just having a go for the sake of it. They need to know about legitimate grievances or nothing will ever change. It's for their benefit at the end of the day to hear the full and proper story - because if they address the concerns that are causing you to leave, then the next person through the door might have a slightly better time of it and not end up leaving in a short time scale. They can't hold honesty against you, and if they do then I would be sure to let any potential future employers that they might be holding a grudge and to take any reference they give with a pinch of salt.

 

[Emil Tac 2]

I had an exit interview in my last school. It was really easy to pass as I knew where the nearest exit was.

 

[amplitoad]

I have never heard of an exit interview.
Does this happen in most schools?
I would refuse.

This is my 10th(?) job, first exit interview haha. I have heard of them though

 

[amplitoad]

I would just tell the truth but in a way that didn't come across as aggressive or whiney. If they don't know then they can't fix it ( although I think if I were in your shoes here, they would nod and say all of the right things and then just ignore me because I'd be gone) You will hopefully have some good points to add into the mix too to counterbalance the negatives. I'm a big believer in telling them the truth though. Good luck!

See I think I come across as emotional or aggressive. And I am very a resentful person... This will be a struggle I think but thank you! Yeah I don't believe anything will come of it, but want to try for my techs I'm leaving behind.

 

[Emil Tac 2]

In all seriousness, I would avoid filling one in unless you say positive things.
It might sound a bit paranoid, but it's a written record at the end of the day, and you never know when you might need a reference or favour from your last place. Burning bridges is never a good thing unless it's a last resort. I would advise to not do it unless it's mostly positive/praise.

 

[amplitoad]

I had an exit interview in my last school. It was really easy to pass as I knew where the nearest exit was.

I'm so glad you're back emil

 

[amplitoad]

In all seriousness, I would avoid filling one in unless you say positive things.
It might sound a bit paranoid, but it's a written record at the end of the day, and you never know when you might need a reference or favour from your last place. Burning bridges is never a good thing unless it's a last resort. I would advise to not do it unless it's mostly positive/praise.

It's in person! Yeah I am worried, but want to do right by me colleagues. I have nothing positive to say about this place...

 

[Rock Chick]

Could you draft some notes so that when you are asked the question you can just read it off? No emotion, nothing extra, just read off the comments you have prepared?

 

[Mirage]

See I think I come across as emotional or aggressive. And I am very a resentful person... This will be a struggle I think but thank you! Yeah I don't believe anything will come of it, but want to try for my techs I'm leaving behind.

I had an exit interview from my last school...it was a formality. Thankfully my time there was overall very positive and tbh I bit my tongue at any negative bits. Regards any influence on future references - up here, schools/councils only supply employment references i.e. he/she was employed from x to y...they don't provide any other information (officially). certainly not a character reference.

 

[amplitoad]

Could you draft some notes so that when you are asked the question you can just read it off? No emotion, nothing extra, just read off the comments you have prepared?

This is what I am trying to do, but I feel they're all emotional/hearsay or what haveyou. I'm an angry crier too, I will get emotional in some way

 

[amplitoad]

I had an exit interview from my last school...it was a formality. Thankfully my time there was overall very positive and tbh I bit my tongue at any negative bits. Regards any influence on future references - up here, schools/councils only supply employment references i.e. he/she was employed from x to y...they don't provide any other information (officially). certainly not a character reference.

I know it's not allowed to give a bad reference, but I do always worry!

 

[Emil Tac 2]

If there is a lot of resentment I think maybe the best thing is to actually refuse to do it. If they ask why just say you don't feel comfortable with it. They can't force you to do it.

 

[PhysicsPrep]

I have never heard of an exit interview.
Does this happen in most schools?
I would refuse.

Happens in every workplace now. Whether anybody takes any notice of it is another matter.

 

[PhysicsPrep]

I'm leaving my current school tomorrow for a new one after half term. I have only now just been asked to attend an exit interview tomorrow (lol - great example of why I'm leaving).

How do I keep it civil while still being honest? Want good references in future, as tempting as it is to roast them to shit.

My grievances are largely with awful HoD line management. Bad morale (in part to the bad/non-existent management), feeling like I'm treated with little respect/not part of the so called 'team'. No appreciation of what and how much we do. The three times I asked for help, I was dismissed/told off for asking/had eyes rolled at me/told it's not their job. etc etc

I can elaborate further if people would like.

Or do I just smile and say a half truth - the new school is simply paying 25% more for the same role...

I'd write all my points down and stick to the script.

 

[TDM]

Do a sh*t sandwich - start positive, give critical feedback, and end on a positive note.

 

[macromolecool]

If it is possible to rework what you want to say (maybe brain dump in notes somewhere?) into constructive feedback? i.e. not "they were rude and dismissive towards me" but "more support would have made my job more enjoyable", etc. I know when I leave my job next half term, there's a few small things I'll pass on to HOD about my co-worker, but in a positive (i.e. extra training) kind of way, rather than what I actually think... Things don't get better if they're ignored. Definitely plan it though!