What Is an Exit Interview? Plus 3 Questions You Need to Answer Carefully

It’s done. Once you’ve taken the giant step of resigning from your job and getting your resignation accepted, the next step is the exit interview.  It’s a formality, nothing to be anxious about.

That doesn’t mean you should take it for granted. With a little preparation, you can make your exit interview work for you. Here’s how.

What is an exit interview?

This interview takes place once your resignation is announced, but before your very last day. It usually includes talking about your decision to resign, the highlights (and lowlights) of your stay with the company, and information on your clearance, final pay, benefits, and other matters.

It is one of the last hurdles you have to go through before cutting ties, and it is best for everyone to make it go smoothly and efficiently.

Depending on the company, the exit interview is conducted by a member of the HR team, department manager, or general manager – definitely not your immediate boss.

Why is the exit interview important?

For the employee, the exit interview has a very practical purpose: clearance paperwork. This is the perfect time to clarify benefits, retirement pay computations, tax forms, what is included (or deducted) from your final pay and when you will receive it. The exit interview is also your chance to be candid – though always respectful – about your time at the company.

For the employer, the exit interview gives them honest feedback on the reality of the office, and the last straws that really push people to leave. It is also their chance to remind employees of confidentiality agreements, or have difficult conversations before you leave forever.

Prepare well for your exit interview

An exit interview is standard procedure in the Philippines, but still important. A few tips:

Write out your questions and script.  If you have questions about your paperwork or separation pay, have your figures and documents ready. Read the questions below, and write out your answers carefully to find the most diplomatic wording. Once you’ve done this, you’ll find it’s much easier to cover everything and stick to the script.

Vent if you need to.  If you’re leaving on bad terms, “civil and professional” is easier said than done. Bottled-up anger has a way of coming out at the worst possible time – don’t put yourself in a position to be “triggered” by a simple question.

Experts suggest that you write a frank, no-holds-barred letter – ideally in longhand, but definitely kept far away from your email drafts – and never send it. You can pour it all out to a trusted friend, someone loyal to you and with no connection to the company. Or literally blow off steam with a strenuous weight session, run or bike ride.

Whichever works best for you, the point is to purge your anger so that you go to your exit interview as the cool, calm professional you really are.

Go in well-rested, not “hangry” or over caffeinated.  Yes, it sounds minor. But if you’re already anxious, low blood sugar or lack of sleep can push your buttons and make you blurt out something you didn’t mean to.

Read more: Dos and don'ts for your notice period

Sample exit interview questions and how to answer them

“Why are you leaving?”

Be graceful, cordial, and professional in your answer. If you’ve been offered more money or genuinely want to prioritize health or family, just say so. These are clearly understandable reasons, and a long-winded reply just makes you sound like you’re hiding something.

What if you’re leaving because of policies in the company or bad working relationships? Try this: “I am uncomfortable with ____policy / working with ___, because ___.”

This example is specific and honest, without being negative about the company or the people in it. Badmouthing others or getting personal does not help. It only puts HR and the company on the defensive, making your exit interview all the more awkward.

Your HR person may ask directly about individuals or conflicts, because it’s their job to understand why you’re leaving. But if you feel like you’re being led to say negative things about someone, apply the brakes:  “That’s what I’m comfortable saying, thank you.”

It’s tempting to spill the tea, burn the bridge. But you definitely do not want this simple formality to generate statements that can be used against you in the future.

“Where are you going?”

If you are taking a different path – further studies, or building your own business – go ahead and be open with details.

Otherwise, keep your next employer to yourself. Be as vague as possible. In this age of social media, don’t give others the opportunity to spread rumors about you in the new company, call friends of friends, or even get your offer retracted.

Better safe than sorry.  Remember, you always have the right to say, “I’d rather not say.”

Sidenote: Be ready to honor any non-compete clauses in your employment contract. These are rarely enforced in the Philippines, but you don’t want to get sued in case you’re discovered to be working at a competitor.

What if the offer is too good to be true? Turn it down, explain your situation and inform them when your non-compete clause expires (usually 3 to 5 years). Then, find yourself a useful opportunity with an employer that is relevant but not a direct competitor.

Most companies will wait – and you’ll also learn if the competitor is truly hiring you for your abilities, or if they’re just stringing you on to get insider information.

“What did you like during your stay here? What can be improved?”

Express gratitude for everything you’ve learned with the company: training, experiences, relationships. No amount of unhappiness with the company can hide even just one good thing you have experienced.

Choose areas of improvement where you can suggest, not impose. Word your suggestions constructively, to make the company a better place for your friends who are staying.

Resist the temptation to be a drama queen and recount every incident where you felt wronged. Save it all for a future time when you’re completely unaffiliated. That way you can’t be accused of being overly emotional, or taking everything too personally.

Exit from your interview by expressing your best wishes for everyone, without harboring any resentment or ill feelings.

In the Philippines, exit interviews are confidential. But people talk, and Southeast Asia is a small town whatever your industry. You’re likely to run into your bosses, managers or HR people again – as clients, suppliers, competitors, recruiters for your dream job. Make sure they remember you as  “the one that got away”, not the one who lost it at the exit interview. Most of all, don’t give them an excuse to delay your final pay.

Keep it cool, and make a clean getaway.

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