8 QUESTIONS TO PREP FOR YOUR EXIT INTERVIEW

By October 4, 2019For Talent

Congratulations! You’ve beaten the competition and landed a new and exciting role. Notice successfully handed in, leaving soiree on the horizon and interviews done and dusted. Well, all but one, the exit interview. This is your professional parting shot with a company and an opportunity for your employer to learn more about your experience in the company and your reasons for resigning.

To leave your role on a high, here are 8 interview questions you should prepare.

  1. Why are you leaving?

The direct approach! The company needs to figure out what they could have done better, so they don’t lose more employees for the same reason. Be tactful but honest. If the company needs to be more flexible or communicative, tell them. Just avoid being overly critical, this is should be so constructive.

2. What was the biggest factor that led you to accept a new job? 

This usually comes off the back of vague answer to the above question. They’re asking for more specificity. Do not feel pressured to discuss your new job at length but maybe pick one element that sets it apart from your former role, be it salary, seniority, culture, etc. Your interviewer is simply trying to get an idea of how they compare with other organisations. Give them something to work with.

3. What skills do we need to look for in your replacement?

No one knows your job better than you, it makes sense for your employer to ask for your advice when hiring a suitable replacement. Maybe the job spec highlights a need for good Excel skills but you rarely used the system during your day-to-day duties. Instead, you think it should state that people need to be good at multi-tasking.  Help your employer to craft the perfect job spec. If not for them, for the rest of the team!

4. Did you receive adequate training to do your job here?

If there’s been a lack of training or a particularly opaque working environment be honest. If you felt that you were often left in the dark without adequate advice then you need to say something. This will help them to effectively plan for the future.

5. Was your manager effective?

Lots of people quit their jobs due to a bad relationship with their manager so HR will often quiz you about this. It might seem rude to talk about your manager in this setting but if you want to help the employees that are left behind then you need to be honest. The key is to keep your critique constructive. Mention the things that you liked and disliked about their managerial style. It’s normal to have positive and negative feedback.

6. Would you recommend the company as a place to work? 

A bad reputation is a hard thing to overcome. In fact, our research found that 82% of people wouldn’t take a job at a company with a bad reputation. Companies simply can’t afford to have bad employer brand. Decide whether or not you would recommend the company to a friend and prepare your answers accordingly.

7. How would you describe the staff morale at the company?

Sometimes companies are so focused on results that they forget to check in with how their employees are feeling day-to-day. If you think that other employees are unmotivated or unhappy then you should raise these concerns with your interviewer. If there were aspects of the company culture that you really enjoyed then you should state them also.

8. Are there any other unresolved issues?

At the end of the interview, you will probably be asked an open-ended question so that you can talk about any other issues that you faced in the role. If there is anything you would like to add go for it. Speak now or forever hold your peace.


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Author Aoife Geary

Aoife Geary is the Content Editor at Jobbio specialising in the areas of Workplace Culture, Diversity, Startups and Digital Trends. She's partial to a burrito, a bad pun and living way beyond her means.

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