Hi, Fairies:

21 Comments

1. Alexis GladstoneOctober 4,2025 at 12:31PM UTC

   There is no need to give a reason. All you need to say is that you are resigning on X date, and you appreciate the opportunity to work for the company and contribute to the team.

   If you're pressed at any point and feel you must respond to "why" I would say it's a financial decision.

2. Dianne McGuireOctober 4,2025 at 12:35PM UTC

   Yes!

3. Mira HornbeakOctober 4,2025 at 12:48PM UTC

   Absolutely!

4. Jacqueline CutlerOctober 4,2025 at 1:01PM UTC

   You received an offer that is better for you, and I'm not sure you need to say more. I would be honest in the exit interview without burning the ground.

5. GirlBossanova934974October 4,2025 at 1:05PM UTC

   Yow owe this company nothing. Sounds like you were a manager in name only. Your superiors wanted to run the organization and used you as a subject matter expert with zero authority. They could have hired a consultant instead. They will probably do this when you are gone. Spend your time with your new company and direct reports. Loyalty is a 2 way street. When changes come and they are not always good, you have to be prepared to leave. You can tell them it was a financial decision.

6. AnonymousOctober 4,2025 at 2:56PM UTC

   No reason is necessary actually. But if you feel so inclined, simply say yiu have a new opportunity. Don’t do an exit interview that trashes the management or team. If they wanted your input and expertise they would have sought it out while you worked there. Be happy that you’re leaving and make everyone feel thst you appreciate the time that you spent there. Burning bridges at this critical time in the economy is not a good idea. Good luck and congratulations for finding something new!!

7. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistOctober 5,2025 at 1:26AM UTC

   You don't need to give a reason. If pushed, and you feel you do need to give a reason, "better opportunity" should suffice.

   You say you're an experienced professional, I'm pretty sure you already know you shouldn't burn bridges. And that's what being candid about the micromanagement would most likely do.

8. AnonymousOctober 9,2025 at 1:26AM UTC

   It’s interesting and valuable to hear from someone in HR (you) that being candid about the management style I experienced would be seen as negative. Thanks for chiming in.

9. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistOctober 9,2025 at 4:51PM UTC

   I'm not in HR, I have no experience in HR. I based my comment on what I have heard from others about how their "honest feedback" was received.

   My personal feeling is if they wanted to be a better-run company, they'd already be one. "Honest feedback" rarely changes anything but has fairly big potential to blow back on the person offering it.

10. AnonymousOctober 5,2025 at 1:00PM UTC

    Never do an exit interview - don’t agree to do one.

11. AnonymousOctober 5,2025 at 1:02PM UTC

    I agree with saying you have a better opportunity. As for the exit interview, I don’t agree with saying nothing. There are ways of saying things without burning bridges and saying nothing doesn’t help the people left behind. You can simply say you work better when you have more autonomy in your role. That’s not a slam,, it’s saying what works better for you.

12. AnonymousOctober 5,2025 at 2:13PM UTC

    you don’t have to give a reason and companies don’t actually take feedback at exit seriously.

    Just thank them for the opportunity y my last day will be .:.

13. AnonymousOctober 5,2025 at 5:53PM UTC

    The timing of your exit is based upon the fact that you got recruited away for something that will grow your career, period. Wish them the best give them 30 days if you can or at the least 2 or maybe 3. Write a document that is in a shared drive with the details of your SME on the role you are leaving. Let them figure it out. Ask your manager how and if you can help them to find your replacement. In your exit interview you can share that the reasons for your leaving are both opportunity and freedom. If they ask what freedom means the response would be the freedom to control more of my work product and to be trusted to do it the way I can with limited restraint. End of story. Congratulations on your new role I hope its all you hoped for and more. Moving on when you care about your co-workers is one thing but definitely don't sacrifice your new venture by hanging in there too long as you exit.

14. AnonymousOctober 6,2025 at 7:58AM UTC

    Thanks for this thoughtful response. You’re right, I do care. But, advice received and it will be implemented tmw. Well wishes on the week ahead.

15. AnonymousOctober 6,2025 at 5:35PM UTC

    Ditto, glad I could help...

16. AnonymousOctober 5,2025 at 9:04PM UTC

    Continue to be professional and share the information they request without negative information about your team. Be candid, but don't offer up information that will stay with you in other employment.

17. AnonymousOctober 6,2025 at 12:27PM UTC
    1. First of all, why you resigned is no one's business.
    2. Give only 2 weeks notice. I know you feel bad about your team, but that isn't really your problem.
    3. Don't tell them where you are going.
    4. Exit interviews are nice, but most of the time no one listens so why burn bridges.
    5. For your reason, just say "a role more aligned with my career development goals presented itself and I have accepted that opportunity
18. AnonymousOctober 6,2025 at 12:54PM UTC

    You are not obligated to give either a reason or any notice for that matter. I realize that the notion of “2 weeks notice “ is considered a requirement by most, but if they were going to let you go, would they be required to give you the same 2 weeks notice? The idea of “notice” only benefits the company you are leaving.

19. AnonymousOctober 9,2025 at 1:32AM UTC

    Reasons I’m hesitant to be honest …

    1) Burning bridges in a small industry

    2) Wasting my effort on deaf ears

    3) My words being twisted and used to form/solidify a professional reputation that’s unbecoming when I’m gone

    Glad you asked! Writing this list + other comments have shored up my decision. I’ll stick to saying “better opportunity”.

20. AnonymousOctober 7,2025 at 1:13PM UTC

    Why not be honest, if asked? Years ago I faced a similar situation and my supervisor’s supervisor decided he would conduct my exit interview because he wanted to understand why I and others were leaving. I was honest about the supervisor who undercut those reporting to her and took credit that wasn’t hers. No one was happy and most were looking to exit her group. He was grateful for the insight. I have no idea what happened after I left but I was glad to give honest feedback that might have actually helped that supervisor that interviewed me. And cared.

21. Shweta AtriOctober 9,2025 at 6:01AM UTC

    You're not planning to return to this organization in the future. While you're being honest, it's important to say that you haven't felt trusted with your work, and your team’s efforts have often gone unrecognized despite the significant workload. With better leadership/management, you believe you could have achieved much more—but not at the expense of unnecessary burnout.

    I hope my departure will open up a space for further reflection on how the work environment and management approach can evolve for the benefit of those who remain.