Exit interviews can be extremely helpful in improving and gaining a better understanding of your organisation because they are likely to generate candid feedback. You may find that some items were resolvable with prior information but others are not.
Unfortunately, if improvement ideas or employee concerns come up at the exit interview, it’s probably too late to improve or help your exiting employee.The best time for an associate to discuss concerns and suggestions with you is as a committed employee, not on the way out the door.
Gather and learn from employee feedback by using surveys, department meetings, comment or suggestion forms, and more. Useful information can be gained from employees who leave voluntarily and those you fire.
Conduct interviews in person
Your employee’s manager should conduct the exit interview, with a human resources senior staff person doing a follow up. Some organisations use written or online questionnaires.
Most professionals suggest talking with the departing employee to explore and understand individual views and feelings. The exit interview questions are key to obtaining actionable information. Begin with ‘light talk’ to help your departing employee feel comfortable.
Assure them that no negative consequences will result from honest discussion. Explain that you will use the information gained, in context and in its entirety, to help your organisation do better. Freely explore each response for additional clarification and complete understanding.
End on a positive note
Before showing the door, wish your soon to be ex-employee success in their new endeavour. Employees have the right to decline an exit interview and should be informed of that option.
Sample Interview Questions
- Why have you decided to leave?
- Have you shared your concerns with anyone in the company prior to deciding to leave?
- Was a single event responsible for your decision to leave?
- What does your new company offer that encouraged you to accept their offer?
- What do you value about the company?
- What did you dislike about the company?
- The quality of supervision is important. How was your relationship with your manager?
- What could your supervisor do to improve his or her management style and skill?
- What are your views about management and leadership in the company?
- What did you like most about your job?
- What did you dislike about your job?
- What would you change about your job?
- Do you feel you had the resources and support necessary to accomplish your job? If not, what was missing?
- We try to be an employee-oriented company in which employees experience positive morale and motivation. What is your experience of employee morale and motivation in the company?
- Were your job responsibilities characterised correctly during the interview process and orientation?
- Did you have clear goals and know what was expected of you in your job?
- Did you receive adequate feedback about your performance day-to-day and in the performance development planning process?
- Did you clearly understand and feel a part of the accomplishment of the company mission and goals?
- Describe your experience of the company’s commitment to quality and customer service.
- Did the management of the company help you accomplish your personal and professional development and goals?
- What would you recommend to help us create a better workplace?
- Do the policies and procedures of the company help to create a well managed, consistent, and fair workplace in which expectations are clearly defined?
- Describe the qualities and characteristics of the person who is most likely to succeed in this company.
- What are the key qualities and skills we should seek in your replacement?
- Do you have any recommendations regarding our compensation, benefits and other reward and recognition efforts?
- What would make you consider working for this company again in the future?
- Would you recommend the company to your friends and family?
- Can you offer any other comments that will enable us to understand why you are leaving, how we can improve, and what we can do to become a better company?
