Ask the Recruiter

Q. I'm preparing to leave my job next year after the birth of my baby, and I'm wondering how frank I should be in the exit interview conducted by my publisher. My experience at the paper has been negative, and I know that other reporters are considering leaving soon as well.

ASK JOE A QUESTION

To get your question answered on this page, send it to Joe. Please include your full name in your message. If you prefer that your surname not be published, please indicate that. Sign up to receive Ask The Recruiter by e-mail: * Click here (sent Monday-Friday at 8 a.m.)

Their departures would be among many in this small newsroom since I began working here four years ago. I have a lot of insight into the issues causing the problem -- many that I've already shared with my editor in attempts to have honest communication that might change things. Nothing has changed, and new hire after new hire expresses the same feelings after about a month on the job. I'm choosing to leave now to pursue freelancing or a part-time gig elsewhere because I don't see any changes, and my opportunity to grow here is hampered by the toxic environment.

I'd like to be able to speak freely about the situation during my exit interview. Any suggestions on how to gracefully express my feelings during an exit interview without burning bridges? Or is it best to just be as positive or neutral as possible?

Thanks,

On the Way Out

A. Congratulations on your growing family.

Joe Grimm

I'm glad to get your question, as I do a lot of exit interviews for the Detroit Free Press and sometimes interview people who will not be honest, even though I try to make the experience safe for them.

Looking at the exit interview from your perspective, I would say this: The point of an exit interview is to help managers make the place better for your colleagues and customers or clients. If you think managers will listen to you and make some changes, an honest interview can be a parting gift to the company. But you are telling me that the editors know what the issues are and will not or cannot do anything about them, even in spite of high turnover.

If managers don't hear us while we are working for them, then we have little incentive to speak frankly as we walk out the door. And an exit interview is absolutely not the place for parting shots and venting, which are ineffective and could burn a bridge. That is more dangerous for people who have not yet lined up the next job than is is for those who have.

If you can talk directly to the publisher about newsroom issues that you think are being masked by the editor, this might be worth your time. But remember that there is a strong bond between the two of them and that the words of a departing reporter will not mean as much as those of the editor who is staying,

I'd like to tell you to be honest because I'd like people to be honest with me. Instead, I'll leave you with this saying: "Don't try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and annoys the pig."

What do you think? Is it right to encourage her to be less than honest? What has been your experience with exit interviews? Do they help? Join the discussion.

---

Coming Thursday: This college senior is running into one brick wall after another as she tries to break into her favorite newspaper market. She has good experience, but is not making headway.

---