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Why you should prepare for an exit interview and how to do it
Oct 29, 2020

Most people will change jobs at some stage throughout their lives, so it’s likely you will be asked to participant in an exit interview at one point during your career. Exit interviews are normally set up by HR when you’re about to leave a company, and are an opportunity for you to share information about your experience in that workplace, so an employer can gain valuable feedback that may prove useful to them in making improvements for current and future employees.



Remember, that despite the fact that you are leaving the company, there’s always a right and wrong way to leave. No matter how things finished up with your employer, whether you are resigning or your position is being made redundant, it’s important to leave on the right note and make a great lasting impression. After all, this could be the reference check that’s the difference between you getting your next job or not.


To make the process of leaving a positive one, here are some tips on how to best prepare for an exit interview.

 

Why you should prepare for an exit interview

Exit interviews give you the chance to give feedback to your employer, so by coming prepared you can provide insights that are beneficial. Even if you are suggesting ways the company can improve, think about how you might convey this information in a positive tone. By being prepared in what you might say, you have a greater chance of responding in a helpful way, and are less likely for your feedback to be construed in a negative way.


Leaving a good impression also gives you the chance to ask your employer if they can be a referee for your next role. It is important however to choose your referees carefully and only ask this person if you want them to be your point of contact for a potential future employer.


Whether you are leaving the company due to a career change or a better opportunity, it is wise to come prepared and answer thoughtfully and professionally. So how can you prepare for an exit interview?

 

Plan it out in advance

Failing to plan is planning to fail as the old adage says, and the same is true of exit interviews. This means you should reflect on what you might say in advance by listing the points you’d like to discuss and what feedback you can give with regards to these. The feedback should be both positive as well as constructive, and include ways you think the company can improve. Some of the areas you could cover, and the information your employer might want to know include:

  • Why you are leaving the position
  • What you liked about your role and/or the company
  • Your working relationship with your colleagues and/or manager
  • What company processes or initiatives could be improved
  • Your thoughts about the work environment and company culture
  • If the company supported your career goals and provided enough support and/or training
  • If you would recommend this company to others


By preparing yourself for the interview, you’re able to feel more confident in your replies and give feedback that will be useful to your employer. They will also likely be grateful for your professionalism, which won’t go unnoticed if you do wish to ask them for a reference.

 

Come prepared with positives

When you are planning out your talking points for an exit interview, it’s a good idea to include some positives about your experience at the company. This might be what you enjoyed about your actual role, your colleagues or manager, or certain benefits or opportunities the company offered you during your tenure. Whatever your response is, sharing the positives will demonstrate your intention to leave respectfully, which will be appreciated, especially if you have some constructive feedback to give.


Even if you’ve had a relatively negative experience at the company, you should attempt to give least one positive. This will help to make sure you don’t exit the business with any hard feelings against you, which could tarnish your reputation in the marketplace.

 

Stick to the facts

It’s important not to get too personal when speaking about your experience at the company, but rather stick to the facts. By providing unbiased information, you can help the company improve on certain factors, as well as retain their valued staff. For example, if you chose to leave because you felt you weren’t getting paid enough, provide evidence of the average salary for your job title and experience. This way you are not complaining about your pay rate as such, but rather responding with measurable facts. Your employer can then take it on board and hopefully implement steps to improve this.


Furthermore, you want to try and avoid offloading or going on a rant about a specific person you worked with. While an employer will want to know the areas in which they can improve, you don’t want to come across as though you are bitter or taking advantage of the opportunity to bad mouth your employer or colleague. Think carefully about the way you convey feedback. However, if you have an issue with the behaviour of a colleague or manager, it is crucial to carefully provide feedback so the employer has it on record.


It’s important that you remain professional and calm during the interview, and use the opportunity to provide valuable feedback in a way that won’t cause conflict for you or your employer.

 

Thank your employer and leave on a positive note 

And lastly, no matter your experience with the company, it’s better if you can to leave on a professional note. Express your gratitude by thanking your employer for the opportunity and the experience you’ve gained. Even though you may never return to the same company, it’s wise to maintain a good relationship with your manager and former colleagues, as it could lead to opportunities elsewhere in the future. It also helps improve your chances of receiving a good reference, and even leaves the possibility open to return to work for the company in the future.

 

No matter the way you are leaving the company, it’s important to come prepared, stick to the facts and respond professionally. A good lasting impression is just as significant as a good first one. To access any of our other useful career tools, check out our careers resource page.

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