Want to change your job in UAE? First prepare for an exit interview

An exit interview is perhaps a final formal meeting between an employee and employer as the former prepares to leave the company. Not all companies have an exit interview policy in place but some employers strongly believe in it as this is one HR tool that helps understand the people who work there, their beliefs, what they look for in a company/employer and why do they leave them?

It is a part of what experts call the employment cycle and goes into official record as it is signed by all the parties concerned.

Common questions that are asked during such interviews include - Why are you leaving? How do you feel about the company? What can be done to make it a better workplace? Do you think your new employer offers you something that you missed here? Would you recommend us as a good employer? These are just some examples and the list can be quite extensive.

Handling these difficult questions can be tricky. You really don’t want to tell your boss that he’s inept or the salary that you got suited the 1980s era so before you head into your exit interview be prepared.

You can state your true feelings but in an amicable way. For example, instead of just saying that the money in the current job isn’t enough and the long hours are taking a toll on your children, you can perhaps be a bit diplomatic and be careful of the words you use.

“I have seen people who are smart enough to say they have learnt a lot from their current job and this has prepared them for the new position that will help them grow professionally and financially,” said the HR manager of multinational bank on the condition of anonymity.

Refrain from painting your boss as the devil or your co-workers as lousy. If you have some grievances, be prudent enough to list the traits you would like to see in a boss, instead of pointing out your line manager as the most useless man in the entire world.

It’s a balancing act, that’s what you should do.  Remember, you still might need the old boss and your co-workers for references. If you’re still in the same industry, you might run into them again, or even return back for work after many years. Avoid burning bridges as it’s a small professional world and social media ensures everybody is well connected.

If your HR manager is just as smart as you, he will understand what you are trying to tell him and may even recommend your suggestions to the management. He may suggest a review of the company’s compensation policies or look at better work-life balance options.

At the end, it’s a very personal choice but putting your best self forward during an exit interview is just as important as when you came for the job interview.

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