What to Expect on an Exit Interview

 

The purpose of exit interview questions is to find out your opinions about your employment with the company you are leaving. These answers are then compiled to help the company know where they are doing a good job and where they need to improve.  The Exit Interview Questionnaire contains interview questions that  may be asked verbally by an interviewer from the company’s Human Resources Department on a paper questionnaire that you fill out yourself. Some companies have moved to a computer-based program that asks you questions and lets you choose from multiple choice answers, or fill in blanks with statements of your own. Generally, your answers remain anonymous and are not associated with your name or personnel file.

 

Common Exit Interview Questions

Employers use a variety of exit interview questions. Many questions will ask your opinions of your salary, job duties, work area and even co-workers. You may also be asked questions about processes within the company, such as filing paperwork with the Human Resource Department or utilizing insurance benefits. You will also be asked questions about why you took the job, why you left and even what you plan to do after you leave the company. These questions may be open-ended, allowing you to elaborate more. They may also be multiple-choice, where you select your varying degrees of “agree” or “disagree” with each statement.

 

Sample Questions

The questions below are sample questions the employee may be asked to complete as part of the Exit Interview Questionnaire.

Reason for leaving your current job?

What factors contributed to you accepting and taking a new job?  Was salary or benefits a factor in your decision?

Were you satisfied with your  salary?

Were you satisfied with your  benefits?

State the positive factors of working for your present employer?

State the negative factors about working for your present employer?

Can you tell us what your new company offers that this company does not offer?

What did you like the most about the position you are leaving?

What did yo like least about the position you are leaving?

Source:  About.com – Job Searching

 

Answers

Honesty is always the best policy when dealing with anything employment related, and exit interviews are no exception to this rule. By law, a former employer cannot hold your answers to these questions against you, or use them as the basis of a negative reference if a prospective employer contacts them. Tell the truth but be professional. Don’t trash the company, departments within the company, or your former co-workers. But don’t hide vital information that could be of use. Answer the questions with the intent of helping the company identify strengths and weaknesses, to help those who come along behind you.

 

Checklist

A two weeks notice is usually given by an employee who is voluntarily leaving a company.    An exit interview checklist can make sure that all areas are covered during the separation process.   This ensures that the departing employee does not leave with company property. The departing employee is expected to turn in all company property during the exit interview.  All  items such as company keys to the building,  car keys, id cards, credit card, company phone, uniforms, pagers, and computers must be returned.  In addition, the proper network security measures are taken that includes disabling the departing employees accounts and network access.    The checklist also addresses any due compensation that is owed to the exiting employee in the form of any owed salary, hourly pay, vacation time, sick time, or commissions or owed bonuses.   Continuation of benefits will also be covered  for the employee who needs information on continuing benefits under COBRA.  The exit interview process including exit interview questions and the checklist are an important measure that should always be enforced by the employer.

Source:  Chron