I QUIT!

[kristof65]

Exit interviews never result in changes.

Not true. You could say "rarely result in changes", that's probably true. But I've written at least two exit interview letters in my lifetime that have resulted in or contributed to changes at the companies I've left. At one place, the letter resulted in the plant manager being forced into retirement within a year of my resignation. At another, my letter finally brought management's attention to the real reasons behind the high turnover rate in that particular department.

 

Part of the reason that exit interviews don't change much is that very few people take the time to write a letter for one that outlines not only their reason for leaving, but points out the company's flaws and failings in such a way that the letter actually gets paid attention to, instead of being dismissed as personal attacks or the ramblings of a whiner. In my experience, verbal exit interviews and the forms that many companies use are a gesture by the company to make themselves feel good - again, the interviewee often doesn't reveal their true feelings or are misinterpreted.

 

I learned my lesson big time about exit interview letters when I got fired for the first time (and hopefully only time) and wrote my first one. I didn't have hard feelings towards the company, I was quite aware that the reason I got fired was an incompetant general manager who didn't like me because my mere presence was making his incompetance obvious. So I wrote two letters when I left - one that went straight to the owners, outlining my feelings over my firing (telling them I had no hard feelings towards them or the company, that I felt it was a personality conflict), and giving a list of everything left undone, so that my replacement would have an easier time of things. Because I didn't want to burn bridges with the company's owners, I was VERY careful in my wording. The second letter was a personal letter to the GM who fired me - giving him specifc examples of how his actions had harmed employee morale and highlighted his incompetance. It was VERY factual, and I didn't resort to actual name calling, but it was scathing, pointing out just about ever management flaw the man had with a specific example of it.

 

Umm, he didn't take it well. The result of that letter to him was that my job hunt for my next job was made very difficult because of the things he was saying about me when potential employers called for a reference. He got so angry with me when he read the letter that he ripped it up in a huge fit (so I'm told). For three months I was having a hard time getting anyone to call me for interviews, or even get a call back after the few interviews I got. Fortunately for me, I had gotten temp work at one plant, and the department head Joe was so impressed with me, he wanted to hire me full time. My ex-manager's words about me were in direct contrast to what Joe had personally witnessed, so he called me in for my side of the story, and then gave me a written statement of what my ex-manager had said about me to him, so I could take it up with the owners.

 

When I did, I found out that he had blatantly lied to the owners about the contents of my letter to him. As part of my discussions with them to avoid having to sue them, I provided them with a copy of the letter I sent to him. They weren't happy with it, but they were actually releived to see it wasn't as bad as he had made it out to be. In the end, I came out ok, because he eventually left them to start a competing business and it came out that he had been stealinig proprietary company information to help him start that business.

 

But it was a hard lesson for me to learn. I had been thoughtless about the reaction I would get, wanting only to tell the GM off and possibly make things better for the remaining employees, and had the guy not been a scumbag who eventually made himself look worse, I'd be screwed with forever having a bad reference on my resume. Since then, I've been VERY careful in the exit interview letters I write, but I always write one. Even if I'm leaving on good terms, I'll write one. Because when well written, they can leave a positive impression about you.

[Doombringer]

Keep it short at sweet. Your rough draft sounds way too personal.

 

Yeah now that I look at it this morning I have to agree.

but wasn't it nice to vent bit

[Bruunwald]

Kristof nailed a lot of what I was going to say, about keeping emotions out and leaving out things that might be construed as personal attacks.

 

I might add that companies like this work off of direct examples when regarding grievances and tend to ignore anything they think an employee would not be able to prove specifically. Your letter seems too general to me. That gives your grievances less impact.

 

Companies work on facts; dates, times, places, events. Anything less gets thrown in the garbage, believe me.

 

Also note that anything that looks like it might have been part of your job (mopping, for example), is going to be ignored as a cause for grievance. Mopping is probably a part of your job description, and though you might take pride in stepping up when nobody else would to correct a problem, management likely saw the issue as a problem someone should have been taking care of as a matter of course. You can't tell them they didn't appreciate you enough for doing what you were basically paid to do. They'll just ignore that.

 

The bead thing is a better example because it seems to represent initiative you took outside your normal duties. That should have at least merited a good review. If it didn't, you have a cause to complain that you were ignored.

[kristof65]

Yeah now that I look at it this morning I have to agree.

but wasn't it nice to vent bit

I'll bet it was.

 

I have to say kudo's to you for not hurriedly writing something up and just turning it in, like a lot of people do. Even if your first draft would be a disaster to actually use, it does help you organize your thoughts about what you want to say, and makes it more likely you'll say the things you need to say in the best manner possible.

 

Take your time, do it right. There is no deadline on giving them a letter like this, unless you self impose one or the company has some sort of official exit interview process. I take anywhere from 2-4 weeks when I compose my exit interview letters - some I'll turn in on my last day, others get mailed 2 weeks after I'm gone. I'll re-write them 10-20 times easily, and have 3-4 people outside the company review them for me.

 

When I write an exit letter, I have three goals in mind: 1. Personal therapy; 2. Establish a lasting (and hopefully good) impression with the company and 3. Do what I can to improve the working conditions of those I leave behind. I always write the letter for reason #1. Number 2 and 3 are why I send them to the company. Leaving a lasting impression means I'm more likely to get more than a "yes, he worked here" reference. And I've made friends at every company I've worked for, and I want to make things better for them by leaving - say the things they can't say for fear of their jobs and working relationships.

 

But nothing says you have to do this at all. You've already done #1, whether you give them a letter or not really depends on how you think they'll take it and whether or not doing so will be good for you. It aslo depends on whether or not you care about the co-workers you're leaving behind. If you really don't give a rat's behind about your soon to be former co-workers, and there is a possibility that any letter, no matter how carefully worded, will work against you, don't send it.

 

Ok, I'm going to go onto a suck up tactic that my old boss Joe told me about that has worked well for me. When you leave, whether or not you write an exit letter, consider writing a few personal thank you notes to some of your co-workers, and a general one to every one else. Basically to anyone who's going to be able to give you a good reference later on and that it wouldn't be hypocrytical for you to send one to (IE, if there is someone you always clashed with, don't bother with them) send a personal one. It doesn't have to be fancy - just a brief note that says something like "Jon, it was a pleasure to work with you all these years. Thanks for everything you taught me about X." Time those to arrive 1-3 weeks after your last day. The general one should just say something like - "Hey everyone, it was nice to work with you all!" They should be handwritten and hand addressed to the individuals they're going to.

 

The personal thank you notes tend to leave a positive impression on those most likely to be the ones answering reference calls later on. That can be real helpful later on. The general note is a catch all to cover those people you forgot, or the ones you wouldn't thank for anything, so that everyone feels covered.

[Enchantra]

I've written a letter that has proven to be good therapy, so now to write the one I turn in. Here's the final version. And when I hand this in tonight I am going to feel liberated.

 

***

Dear XXX,

I have taken some time to think about this. This has not been an easy decision. As of Today 8/11/2008, I am handing in my two weeks notice.

 

At this time my career goals and ambitions no longer seem to be in line with what the company offers and to this end I must move on. If you would like to discuss this with me, please contact me. I thank you for the opportunity to work with you.

 

Sincerely,

Amanda

 

***

 

Just as a side note here. Someone above in one of the postings said that cleaning the bathrooms and mopping the floors was in my job description - It wasn't. In fact none of the following were in my job description: RTV's, creating floral arrangements, obtaining order information for customers, taking custom frame orders, carrying out product for customers, mopping and cleaning the breakroom and classroom, spot mopping the whole store when needed, shoveling the sidewalk during the winter and salting it, etc... None of that was in my job description yet as a full-time employee and as a part-time one I did all of that whenever needed because I knew it had to be done and knew at least up until earlier this year, that my efforts were appreciated. I always went the extra mile for my managers because I knew what their work-loads were like and I also knew what a poor cleaning service we have at that store. I did it because it needed to be done. I did these things because doing them gave me a sense of accomplishment at the job. Knowing I helped out was what I needed. I don't get that anymore much less a sense of being appreciated.

 

Bright spot: There is an open job fair for the US Border Patrol/Customs in Rochester this Saturday. I'm attending for information to see if it's something I could do, and if it is, I'm applying. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

[cutebutpsycho]

okay, I obviously haven't seen your job description, but most employers put in an 'other duties as assigned' clause. Any of those things would fall under that clause-even if you weren't specifically 'assigned' them, the higher ups would see it that way.

[kristof65]

Short, sweet and to the point.

 

I'd make two changes.

 

1 - instead of saying "handing in", reword it to say "giving you".

 

2 - add a sentence that specifically states the last day you'll be available to work for them. Something like "My last day available to schedule is xx/xx/xx" or "My last day will be my regularly scheduled shift on xx/xx/xx."

 

 

The big "problem" here is the definition of two weeks - while we all know it means 14 days, when does that 14 days start? You may turn in your notice tomorrow 8/11, with the intention that two weeks means your last day will be the 25th or 26th, while they may interpret it as the 26th or 27th. Best to state it quite clearly, and there will be no misunderstandings.

[paintminion]

Right-o kristof65. best you be clear about the schedule. Good luck, enchantra. You'll be in my thoughts!

[DjinnWing]

Shorter and sweeter:

 

 

08-11-2008

 

Dear XXX,

Please consider this letter my two weeks notice. My last day of employment will be 08-25-2008.

 

Because what the company offers is no longer in line with my career goals and ambitions, it is best for me to move on. If you would like to discuss this with me, I would be glad to complete an exit interview. Thank you for the opportunity and experience.

 

Sincerely,

Amanda

 

The wording in your last draft seemed to place the blame on you, and it lacked certainty. Make sure you date the letter the day you turn it in and the last date you plan on being available. I hope this helps.

[kristof65]

I didn't see that til I read yours DjinnWing - you're right - that's a much better version.

[Enchantra]

Short, sweet and to the point.

 

I'd make two changes.

 

 

Well I'd possibly make the changes IF I had seen any of this in time. The deed is done. I handed my Manager the envelope as he was leaving for home and I was walking into work. He probably read it in his car. I must add it felt great to hand him that letter.

[Frankthedm]

The deed is done. I handed my Manager the envelope as he was leaving for home and I was walking into work. He probably read it in his car. I must add it felt great to hand him that letter.

So, how did the two weeks go?