15 Exit Interview Questions You Need To Ask Every Time

Even if you are the world’s greatest employer, you’re going to have some employee turnover. Employees come and go. It’s part of the working world.

The majority of employees play nicely and give you two weeks notice before they are out the door. Before an employee totally moves on, take the time to sit down with him or her and have a formal exit interview.

An exit interview is a scheduled meeting between the departing employee and the company. It’s an opportunity to receive honest feedback that can help you find out what can be improved, what needs to be changed, and what your company did right.

Exit interviews are a valuable source of information for your company. Employees who have quit or resigned are more likely to provide honest (and sometimes brutal) feedback that a current employee would never mention. Exit interview questions can help you discover things about your company that you never knew.

Here is a selection of exit interview questions you need to ask:

1. Why are you leaving the company?
2. Was the job what you expected?
3. Did the company supply you with the tools and resources to get the job done?
4. Would you recommend this company as a good place to work? Why or why not?
5. What was your favorite thing about this company?
6. What was your least favorite thing about this company?
7. What would it take for you to stay in this job? In this company?
8. How can we make this a better work environment?
9. Were there any policies or procedures that you would change? Why?
10. Can you explain your job role?
11. What is the biggest problem you experienced working here?
12. Did you feel that you were a valued asset to the company?
13. When did you begin looking for your new job?
14. How would you describe this company’s culture?
15. What would you tell your replacement about your job?

It’s amazing what you can find out in an exit interview. It can help you determine why you are losing an employee, whether you helped set an employee up for success, what you need to do to make work life better for their future replacement, and so much more. Honest feedback that isn’t sugar coated should always be welcomed. Take it seriously and find solutions to the legitimate complaints.

The only bummer is that it would be nice to know the answers to many of these questions before you lost an employee. Try to engage your employees daily and have an open door policy. Maybe you’ll gain valuable information that you can use to make your office a better place.

Take advantage of every exit interview. These short meetings can highlight what you do well, what needs improvement, and what you need to change in your company. Ultimately the insights of a departing team member can help you become a better employer.