Considerations for Conducting Productive Exit Interviews

When conducting exit interviews with departing employees, make it feel open and honest and avoid defending your company. You can follow up on pain points and other details to retain another talent. If you’re unsure how to conduct an exit interview, ask departing employees to complete a survey before the meeting. They’ll be more willing to speak freely if they know what to expect. Here are some of the exit interview template for conducting productive exit interviews.

Ask the same questions

There are three common questions that employers ask their employees during an exit interview. These questions are designed to get to the root of the employee’s motivation for leaving and provide constructive feedback. Using these questions in your interview will make it easier to gauge employee satisfaction and provide useful feedback.

The first question to ask is why did the employee leave? Employees often leave for various reasons, from higher pay to a lack of challenge. The questions you ask should focus on how the employee felt and how the company handled their reasons for leaving. It is advisable to ask follow-up questions about the reasons for leaving, even if the answers are unrelated to the company’s actions. You want to make sure you transfer knowledge to the next employee.

Make it feel open-ended

When conducting an exit interview, you should be open-minded about what questions you ask. While a simple questionnaire may get the job done, an exit interview can provide valuable data about the organization and its employees. It can also help you identify areas of improvement within your business. First, let your employees share their thoughts on the company culture and how they are leaving. Then, using the feedback you gather during an exit interview, you can make improvements that will help your company become more profitable.

The most important aspect of an exit interview is focusing on the company, not individuals. You want to gain constructive feedback on your company, not about yourself. Avoid asking specific questions about your employees’ personal lives or issues, and avoid feeding office gossip. Few things are more frustrating than a toxic work environment and an unhappy employee. Make the exit interview as positive as possible for both parties. By preparing for common questions, you can ensure the interview process is as productive as possible.

Prepare questions in advance

Whether you are the manager or the employee, you should prepare questions for your exit interview. The purpose of this type of interview is for both of you: to gain employee feedback and resolve any issues with your organization. When conducting a productive exit interview, you must deliver the best responses while remaining affable and professional. You should prepare questions for your exit interview based on the company culture. It is essential to consider the opinions of former employees as they can either help or hurt your reputation. Most job-seekers will trust former employees to share their impressions. Other topics for exit interview questions are workplace satisfaction, working hours, and seating arrangements. The employer should take all of these issues into consideration when planning questions. The results of your exit interview can help you make better decisions for the future.

Schedule the meeting in a welcoming space

When conducting exit interviews, setting the tone is essential. For example, don’t use your exit interview with a disgruntled employee. Instead, gain valuable insider information about your company’s culture, strategies, and team dynamics.

If you are conducting an exit interview with an employee about to leave, finding a friendly, private space is essential. A relaxed, informal atmosphere may be more inviting if your interviewees are unsure about their future. Likewise, a conference room may be a good choice if you need to be private. You’ll be able to read their body language and ask follow-up questions.

Communicate the purpose of the interview

Many companies conduct exit interviews to retain employees. The most common focus of these interviews is salary and benefits, but money alone isn’t the primary driver of employee behavior. In addition to pay and benefits, other HR practices play a role in the decision to leave. For example, one food and beverage company leader uses exit interviews for succession planning and talent management. Understanding how employees view their role and perceive the company can improve their onboarding processes and enhance their performance.

While conducting exit interviews, be sure to communicate the purpose of the discussion to the employee. The goal is to get them to share important feedback with management. When asking for feedback, paraphrase the response that you’re seeking and ask permission to share it with other company management. For example, if you’re seeking information on company culture, ask for permission to share specific feedback with the control.