10 Exit Interview Questions To Ask

When an employee resigns voluntarily or involuntarily, it’s important to conduct an exit interview. This is your chance to gain valuable insights into why they are leaving and how you can improve your company’s policies and procedures to reduce turnover in the future.

But what are the right questions to ask in an exit interview? And how do you go about conducting one?

In this article, we’ll discuss the basics of exit interviews, including things to remember before starting one, the most common reasons for attrition, and why conducting exit interviews and surveys is important. 

We’ll also provide a list of 10 exit interview questions you can use in your organization, as well as tips for concluding an exit interview.

Things to Remember Before Starting an Exit Interview

Before you start an exit interview, there are a few things you need to remember.

1. Make sure you have the right person conducting the interview. This person should be someone who the departing employee feels comfortable talking to and who has the authority to make decisions based on the feedback received.
2. Prepare questions in advance. Exit interviews are not the time for small talk – you want to get as much valuable information from the departing employee as possible. Having a list of prepared questions will help ensure that you cover everything you need to.
3. Allow plenty of time for the interview. An exit interview should never be rushed – employees need to feel like they have enough time to answer all of their questions thoroughly.
4. Keep it confidential. The departing employee should feel like they can speak candidly without fear of retribution or their comments being shared with others in the company.
5. Be open to feedback, even if it’s negative. It can be difficult to hear criticism of your company, but it’s important to remember that this feedback can be used to make positive changes in the future.

Common Reasons for Attrition

There are many reasons why employees decide to leave their jobs, and it’s important to understand the most common reasons for attrition in order to improve retention at your company. Some of the most common reasons for attrition include:

1. Lack of opportunity for career growth: Employees may become disengaged if they feel like they’re stuck in a dead-end job with no room for advancement.
2. Poor fit with the company culture: If employees don’t feel like they fit in with the company culture, they may look for opportunities elsewhere.
3. Poor management: Employees may become disgruntled and leave if they feel like their managers are not supportive or effective.
4. Low pay: Compensation is often a major factor in employee satisfaction, and if employees feel like they’re not being paid enough, they may start looking for new opportunities.
5. Burnout: With increasing demands and workloads, employees may reach a point where they’re simply burnt out from their jobs. This can lead to them seeking new opportunities that offer more balance.

Understanding the most common reasons for attrition can help you take steps to improve retention at your company. 

If you’re struggling with high turnover, consider implementing changes such as offering more career development opportunities, improving communication between managers and employees, or increasing compensation levels.

Why is Conducting Exit Interviews and Surveys Important?

Conducting exit interviews and surveys are important for a number of reasons. 

First, they can provide valuable insights into why employees leave the organization. This information can be used to make changes that may help reduce turnover in the future. 

Additionally, exit interviews and surveys can help identify any problems that may exist within the organization that could contribute to turnover. 

Finally, they can provide an opportunity for the departing employee to give feedback on their experience working for the organization.

When you conduct exit interviews, it’s important to remember that the employees are not just providing feedback about their own experiences. They are also giving their opinion about the company as a whole. 

As a result, you can use exit interviews to understand better how your employees view your organization.

Best Practices – Asking the Right Exit Interview Questions 

Conducting an exit interview is one of the most important things you can do as an employer. But asking the right questions is key. Here are some dos and don’ts for exit interviews:

Do:

1. Make sure the exit interview is conducted in a private setting.
2. Thank the employee for their time and contributions to the company.
3. Ask open-ended questions that allow employees to share their thoughts and feelings freely.
4. Allow employees to share their reasons for leaving, even if it’s something you might not want to hear.
5. Express your gratitude for their time and contributions.

Don’t:

1. Make assumptions about why employees are leaving.
2. Criticize employees or their work performance.
3. Ask leading questions or ask employees to provide solutions to problems they’ve encountered at the company.
4. Take notes during the exit interview – this should be for after the meeting, so employees feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings openly.
5. Rush through the exit interview – allow employees enough time to share their thoughts and feelings fully

10 Exit Interview Questions 

These questions can give you valuable insights into what may have led to someone leaving their job. It can also help you identify areas that need improvement within your organization.

1. What are the main reasons you’re leaving the company?
2. What do you think could have been done to make you stay?
3. Do you feel you had adequate opportunities to advance within the company?
4. What do you think of the company’s training and development programs?
5. How do you feel about the company’s work/life balance policies?
6. What could the company do to improve employee morale?
7. How do you feel about the communication style of our company’s leadership?
8. What do you think of the company’s compensation and benefits package?
9. What do you think of your direct supervisor?
10. Is there anything else you’d like to share about your experience working here?

How to Conclude an Exit Interview 

After gathering all the necessary information, it is time to conclude the exit interview. Thank the employee for their time and honest input. Let them know that their feedback will be used to improve the company in the future. 

If they have any final questions, answer them as best you can. Finally, wish them luck in their future endeavours.

How to Use Exit Interviews to Improve Performance 

The purpose of the exit interview is to collect feedback from the departing employee about their experience working for the company.

Exit interviews can be an important tool for employers to learn about areas where they can improve the work environment and overall employee experience. By asking pointed questions, employers can gain valuable insights into what might be causing employees to leave and how to make changes that will improve retention rates.

Final Thoughts

Asking the right questions in an exit interview can help you learn from your departing employees and make necessary changes to your business. By asking about their experiences, thoughts on company culture, and goals for the future, you can get valuable insights that will help you improve your business. 

So don’t hesitate to ask questions in an exit interview – it could be just what you need to take your business to the next level.