How to Perform an Exit Interview Properly

What is an exit interview?

An exit interview is a conversation with a departing employee that provides valuable insight into why they are leaving and what could be done better to retain quality employees. It offers insights for business owners that can help them improve their businesses by better understanding the needs and concerns of their employees.

How do you prepare for an exit interview?

The first step in conducting an effective exit interview is preparation. Before the meeting, review the employee’s personnel file, including past performance reviews, job descriptions, and other relevant documents. Make sure you’re familiar with all aspects of the employee's role so that you can ask detailed questions about their experience. During preparation, document any questions you plan to ask during the interview and any specific areas you want to focus on.

Read More: Questions to Ask in a Performance Review

What questions do you ask in an exit interview?

To gain meaningful insights from your exiting employees, you need to ask the right questions. Inquire about their job satisfaction, what they liked or disliked about their job, and any suggestions they might have to improve the workplace.

Here are some sample questions that may help provide valuable information:

• What could we have done better during your time here? 
• Are there any changes or improvements that you suggest implementing? 
• Were there any problems or issues that could have been resolved more quickly or efficiently?
• What did you like most about working here? Least? 
• Would you recommend our organization as a good place to work? Why/why not?

How do you conduct an exit interview?

When it comes time for the actual interview, be sure to create a welcoming atmosphere by introducing yourself (if you haven’t already met) and thanking them for coming in. Explain that your goal is not to place blame or cast judgment but rather to get honest feedback about their experience at your company so that you can improve working conditions for all employees moving forward.

Ask open-ended questions about their time at your company—both positive and negative experiences. Ensure the employee feels comfortable answering these sensitive questions honestly by creating a confidential environment and emphasizing that their feedback will remain anonymous if they so choose.

Finally, close by asking them if they have any final thoughts or comments before ending the meeting on a positive note.

What do you do after an exit interview?

Once you complete the exit interview, it’s vital to promptly take action based on the feedback you received before more employees leave for similar reasons. This could include changes like offering more competitive salaries or benefits packages, revising policies and procedures, or improving communication between management and staff members. 

Read More: 5 Ways to Increase Employee Retention

Additionally, consider sending out surveys or gathering feedback via text or other methods after each employee leaves so that you can continue collecting valuable data points over time. To increase your chances of gathering completed surveys, consider offering small gift cards as incentives.

Once these changes have been implemented, follow up with departing staff members to inform them of the improvements you made thanks to their feedback. This ensures that employees feel heard and valued even after their employment with you ends.

Let Nexus HR Handle Exit Interviews For You

Exit interviews are invaluable for gaining honest feedback regarding workplace culture and improvement initiatives for future years. However, performing an exit interview the right way takes time, something most business owners don’t have. 

Hiring remote HR professionals, like Nexus HR, takes that burden off your shoulders. With complete employee lifecycle management from hire to termination, Nexus ensures the proper handling of your staff’s HR needs.