3 great tips for your next exit interview
Once you’ve given notice, 9 times out of 10 an exit interview has been set up for you. If you’ve given 2 weeks notice, you have 2 weeks to prepare for your exit interview. Exit interviews not only go over your benefits, they are conducted to gather information on your experiences within the company.
The intent of exit interviews, is for companies to see what they can do better and also what they may have done right. It’s important that you give not only honest feedback, but it should also be clear and concise.
Here are 3 tips for your next exit interview
Jot things down to discuss
Even on your way out the door, you want to look organized and prepared. The best way to do that, is by jotting things down to discuss. This is something you should start doing as soon as you receive the invite for the exit interview. Writing things down and taking a look at them, will help you properly gather all of your thoughts. It’ll help you to cover all your basis, without going home and saying, “I forgot to mention x,y,z”. If necessary you can bring your notes with you to the exit interview.
Stick to the script
The exit interview is normally conducted by an HR professional. They will ask very specific questions. These questions will include but are not limited to: What did you like about your role and the company, what didn’t you like about your role and the company, what do you think they could have done differently. When you are asked a direct question stick to answering that question and do not got off topic or on a tangent.
Have real action items
Having real action items will make you look like a leader. Specifically if you have complaints, you should have solutions. Otherwise you look like someone who just likes to complain. For example, If you feel there were no growth opportunities for you, you can give tips on possible training classes the company can create, you can also suggest tuition reimbursement, if at some point it fits into their budget. If you’ve taken a particular class on your own time that you feel added value to your role, you can mention that as well.
Never assume that any suggestion is too small or too big. The company will figure out on their own which advice they want to take. If you feel the company has done a great job you should say that as well. The key to exit interviewing is being prepared and tactful. You are in a position to make things better for other people and sometimes that is a very big reward.
