How to handle an exit interview

- Before you leave your job, you'll probably need … and want an exit interview. … "Aha," you may be thinking. … "Finally, my chance to give 'em a piece of my mind … "to tell 'em what I really think of them." … No! … The exit interview represents an opportunity for you … to wrap things up formally and professionally. … And while you may feel good about leaving, … there probably will be mixed emotions, … so be prepared for them. … When there are strong emotions involved in … a professional environment, identify and express them … before you put them on external speaker. … I call this rehearsing away the upset. … In the case of an exit interview, … you can do this in writing, or what I do, … which is vent out loud to my wife. … This is the time I can say mean things, … be insulting, et cetera. … Like a letter that you write but never send, … this process allows you … to get all the bile out of your system. … When that's done, you can say, … "There, I gave them the piece of my mind." … Now it's time to plan what you're actually going to say. …