As you’ve undoubtedly learned if you’ve ever visited Disney World; It’s a Small World, After All. This is especially true in the Advertising world. It may seem like a vast universe because of the number of agencies and accounts. But make no mistake, everyone knows everyone and that includes Little Ole YOU.

I’m here, as your friendly Recruiter, to remind you of that all-important truth when it comes time to say your inevitable goodbyes from your current agency.

No one likes to say “Goodbye”!

It’s awkward to leave an employer for greener pastures because it has been made clear that something they were doing just didn’t work for you. Now that you’ve secured the new gig, it can be very tempting……with that shiny new job and all, to turn around and let that place that’s given you so much grief know just how miserable you’ve been.

For the love of all that is good, Don’t!

Of course, everyone can benefit from constructive criticism. Complete your exit interview and offer them an honest but restrained version of why you’re moving on. There is simply no need to get ugly or nasty about it no matter how many forms they made you fill out to use the restroom. In the end, your feedback will not matter one iota when presented as revenge and all you do is create a bad reputation for yourself.

When offered the opportunity to spill my guts after one particularly excruciating month of transition at a job, I wrote something about feeling like a trained monkey. Fast forward to five years later when I needed that job back. I was trying to remember what other key phrases I had used. Perhaps a phrase or two about my moronic supervisor who didn’t know his ass from…well…you get my meaning. I was angry and I wanted to be right. Being right is fun!

Of course, my opinion mattered squat in the grand scheme of things except that I could never use that job as a professional reference for the rest of my life. When I started applying for similar jobs years later, I found that most of my applicable skills rested squarely in that position. I had no one to vouch for them because I had burned that bridge. Oops!

There is no need to be clever or funny or nasty or revengeful. In simple terms, the conclusion that it wasn’t a good fit for you given your current goals suffices as to why you’re moving on. It works in an interview situation. It works when you give notice. It works when you look back and see that they just won a killer account and now have new management and you want back on that team. Bite your tongue if you must, but remember that being right is way less important than being employed.

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