Exit interview – Your exit interview can happen anytime during your post-resignation stint.  You might have to take an appointment with the HR for the same. A few FAQs on Exits:

What is an Exit Interview?
In human resource terms, an exit interview is a survey that is conducted with an employee when he or she leaves the company. The information from each survey is used to provide feedback on why employees are leaving, what they liked about their employment and what areas of the company need improvement. Exit interviews are most effective when the data is compiled and tracked over time.

What’s the Purpose of an Exit Interview?
While many exit interviews are considered as more of a post-mortem, the results of these however immensely help as inputs into betterment of processes. Human resources departments conduct exit interviews (also called exit surveys) to gather data for improving working conditions and retaining employees. However, a hidden purpose is to help employers avoid costly litigation down the road, caused by “disgruntled” employees. In other words, your comments and the notes an HR rep takes during your exit interview might be used against you in court, should you decide to sue your former employer.

How are Exit Interviews conducted?
The exit interview may be conducted through a variety of methods. Some of the methods include: in-person, over the telephone, on paper, or through the Internet – more popularly known as WebExit.

What are the most commonly asked questions in an exit interview?
1. What factors have led you to decide to leave the company?
2. What factors were most important in choosing your new job?
3. What was the biggest trigger that made you look out for a new job?
4. What are your views on the management? What is the management doing right or wrong?
5. Did you feel you were given enough support in your job?
6. What did you most like about the company and what did you like the least?
7. What are views on the way we treat our employees? How could we improve effectiveness and morale?
8. Is there any way that we could improve the business?

Important processes post your exit interview:

Issuance of relieving documents – Your relieving documents usually comprise of your relieving letter (printed on a company letter head), your salary certificate, payslips and statement of accounts for that current year. Based on the company, the time-period required to issue the same varies from a week to 45 days. You however could get a print-out of your resignation as a temporary document for your new employer to keep until you receive the former.

Your 401 (k) / Provident Fund savings – There are two ways of handling your 401(k) / PF account once you are moving on – either through a transfer or a withdrawal. While you are in service, it is advised to transfer and maintain the account rather than withdrawing the savings. Before leaving your current organization, one must complete the necessary formalities for the transfer.

Also do go through these sample exit interview forms – Questionnaire 1 | Questionnaire 2 | Questionnaire 3.