6 Tips to have an effective exit interview and really make it count

After you submit your resignation, it’s time to finish up projects, clean out your desk, and say goodbye to your co-workers. But you may have one other final task to complete: an exit interview. If you’re nervous or unsure about what to say during this meeting, we’ve compiled some helpful exit interview tips you can use to leave on a positive note.

In this article, we’ll give you everything you need to know about an exit interview, including:

• Why HR departments conduct them

• Exit interview tips and answers to common questions

• Answers to other FAQs about these meetings

Why do employers do exit interviews?

Human resources (HR) departments use exit interviews to gather feedback from departing employees about their experiences at a company. They want to know why you’re choosing to leave. This information helps them determine ways the company can retain top talent (like you!) in the future.

Using the information you provide, HR departments can:

• Identify areas for improvement

• Evaluate management

• Analyze turnover trends

• Implement employee retention efforts

Tips to ace an exit interview

If you have an exit interview scheduled, you might be wondering what to expect. Use these tips to get ready for your meeting:

1. Prepare for the interview

Just like a job interview, an exit interview will go better if you do some preparation beforehand. Research common questions and practice your responses until they feel natural. Ask a friend or a trusted co-worker to evaluate your answers and provide feedback.

If you don’t have someone to help you practice, use online tools, like Career.io’s Interview Prep, to prepare. These tools can give you helpful feedback about your planned responses before meeting with an HR manager.

2. Focus on the facts

Be objective when discussing your experiences with the company. HR managers want actionable insights into ways they can make companies better. For example, you can share that you’re leaving the position because you found a job with a higher salary or additional benefits, such as unlimited PTO.

“HR loves that kind of information,” one career coach told CBS News. “If you can give them that kind of feedback, that's more actionable than saying something emotional or talking about a he-said, she-said situation.”

3. Stay positive

Whether you’re genuinely sad to be leaving or you can’t wait to walk out the door, stay positive during the exit interview. If you’re overly critical or emotional, an HR manager may take your feedback less seriously. Speak about what you enjoyed during your time with the company and what you’ve gained from working there, such as new skills.

You can also offer constructive feedback, as long as you do it respectfully. For example, if you were frustrated by a lack of advancement opportunities, you can say that. Just make sure you’re providing objective examples to back up your experiences.

4. Know your reason for leaving

In an exit interview, an employer will almost certainly ask why you’re leaving. Be prepared to answer this question with a clear, honest explanation of your reasons for leaving. If you’re leaving for personal reasons, you don’t have to go into much detail. For example, you can say that you need to focus on other priorities at this time.

Similarly, if you’ve accepted another position, limit the information you provide. Don’t brag about the new position or explain why it’s so much better than your current job.

5. Make recommendations

An exit interview is your opportunity to provide constructive feedback that can help the organization improve. You can make suggestions, discuss potential opportunities, or offer your insights as an employee. Maintain a positive, respectful attitude to make your voice heard.

Some areas where you may want to make recommendations include:

• Workflows, processes, or systems

• Communication methods

• Management styles

• Employee training and development

• Team collaboration

• Work-life balance

• Workplace culture and environment

• Employee recognition

6. Be professional

Above all else, remember you’re in a professional setting. Don’t say anything in an exit interview that you wouldn’t want your next employer to hear. Additionally, refrain from speaking badly about anyone still employed by the company. When you remain professional, you can leave with your head held high.

Exit interview questions and answers

While companies have different policies for exit interviews, many ask the same types of questions. Here are some exit interview questions with sample answers to help you prepare:

Why did you start looking for other job opportunities?

“I started to look for other jobs because I feel ready for a new challenge in my career. While I’ve enjoyed my time here immensely, I believe it’s the right time to move into a role where I can handle new responsibilities and advance in my career. It wasn’t an easy decision to make, but I feel confident that this new role aligns with my long-term career goals.”

Were you satisfied with your job responsibilities and duties? If not, what would you have liked to change?

“In general, I felt satisfied with the responsibilities I had in this role. I enjoyed working with this team and appreciated the opportunity to collaborate with other departments as well.

However, over the last six months, it’s become clear to me that my passions align with a different field, which is why I’ve chosen to make a career change. I will value the experience and skills I’ve gained here as I transition into this new role.”

Did you feel valued and appreciated as an employee? If not, can you share specific examples?

“I felt appreciated for the work I did, especially by my fellow team members. At the weekly team meetings, we took time to recognize each other’s accomplishments and share kudos for a job well done.

Employee recognition at the organizational level is one area where I believe the company could improve. For example, after our team exceeded revenue goals by over 30%, we didn’t get any recognition from upper-level managers. I know it would boost morale for employees to see their hard work recognized publicly, such as in the employee newsletter or at quarterly company-wide meetings.”

What suggestions do you have for improving the company's policies and practices?

“One suggestion would be to consider flexible work arrangements for employees. I know it would have improved my work-life balance if I had the option to adjust my hours slightly when I needed to schedule appointments or handle personal commitments.

I’d also like to suggest a professional development program for employees who may be interested in advancing within the company. It would be a great way to build future leaders and encourage employees to grow with the company.”

Would you recommend this company as a good place to work? Why or why not?

“I enjoyed my six years at this company and would definitely recommend it to others seeking employment. Many things make it a great place to work, including the collaborative culture and the worthwhile mission of helping others.

If I could make one suggestion for improvement, it would be to streamline internal processes to make it easier to communicate between departments. Sometimes, my work on projects would come to a standstill while waiting for other teams, and it wasn’t easy to get updates. If the company could find ways to increase interdepartmental communication, I think it would lead to greater efficiency.”

Would you consider working at the company again in the future?

“If there were an opportunity to return to the company in a leadership position, I’d love to work here again. I took this new role so I could gain experience at managing teams and leading projects, which I didn’t have the opportunity to do here at this time. I value the culture and mission of this organization, however, and I’d be open to returning if the right opportunity presented itself.”

Exit interview FAQs

Review these other frequently asked questions to have a successful exit interview:

What should you not say in an exit interview?

No matter the reason for your departure, you should be professional. Here’s what you shouldn’t do during this meeting:

• Do not make personal attacks.

• Do not offer false information.

• Do not get emotional.

• Do not share confidential information.

• Do not make legal threats.

• Do not be negative.

Should you be honest in an exit interview?

Yes, you should be honest in your exit interview. However, remember that being honest does not mean unloading years of frustration and anger on the person conducting the interview. 

Give truthful answers while remaining professional. Honesty about your past work experiences, along with your feedback on management, company culture, and other relevant areas, will help the company improve.

How long is a typical exit interview?

It can vary depending on the company, but an exit interview usually includes five to ten questions. It can last anywhere from 15 minutes to one hour.

Some factors that can affect the length of your interview include:

• The interview method (such as an in-person meeting or a written survey)

• How much information you’re willing to share

• The complexity of information you choose to share

• How much information a company wants to gain from your experiences and reasons for leaving

Can you decline an exit interview?

Yes, you can politely decline an exit interview. But remember, this is your chance to offer constructive feedback on your experiences and give suggestions on how the company can improve for current and future employees. Your voice can make a difference.

Want some more advice about making a successful career transition? Partner with one of Career.io’s Career Coaches to excel in your career and achieve your goals!

Key takeaways

1. An exit interview allows you to share your experiences, opinions, and suggestions as you leave the organization.

2. The purpose of an exit interview is to learn why you’re leaving and how the company can keep its best employees in the future.

3. Stay positive during the exit interview. Focus on providing objective, actionable feedback for the HR team.

4. Be respectful and professional throughout the interview. Don’t make personal attacks, give false information, or share confidential details.