Hi, I wanted to know about exit interviews. What is the purpose of conducting an exit interview? What is the format for conducting an exit interview? And what actions can be taken after the results of an exit interview are available?
From India, Khopoli
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6From India, Khopoli
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What Is an Exit Interview?
An exit interview is typically a meeting between at least one representative from a company's human resources (HR) department and a departing employee. (The departing employee usually has voluntarily resigned vs. getting laid off or fired.) The HR rep might ask the employee questions while taking notes, ask the employee to complete a questionnaire, or both.
What's the Purpose of an Exit Interview?
Human resources departments conduct exit interviews (also called exit surveys) to gather data for improving working conditions and retaining employees. However, a hidden purpose is to help employers avoid costly litigation down the road, caused by "disgruntled" employees.
In other words, your comments and the notes an HR rep takes during your exit interview might be used against you in court, should you decide to sue your former employer.
Must I Submit to an Exit Interview?
No. It's your right to decline an exit interview. A reputable employer will respect your decision. However, a not-so-reputable employer might resent that you didn't participate and file a "would not rehire" or similar adverse notation in your personnel records. The same employer might reveal the notation during a background check.
Exit Interview Questions - Samples
Listed below are samples of the types of exit interview questions that employers commonly ask departing employees:
- What is your primary reason for leaving?
- Did anything trigger your decision to leave?
- What was most satisfying about your job?
- What was least satisfying about your job?
- What would you change about your job?
- Did your job duties turn out to be as you expected?
- Did you receive enough training to do your job effectively?
- Did you receive adequate support to do your job?
- Did you receive sufficient feedback about your performance between merit reviews?
- Were you satisfied with this company's merit review process?
- Did this company help you to fulfill your career goals?
- Do you have any tips to help us find your replacement?
- What would you improve to make our workplace better?
- Were you happy with your pay, benefits, and other incentives?
- What was the quality of the supervision you received?
- What could your immediate supervisor do to improve his or her management style?
- Based on your experience with us, what do you think it takes to succeed at this company?
- Did any company policies or procedures (or any other obstacles) make your job more difficult?
- Would you consider working again for this company in the future?
- Would you recommend working for this company to your family and friends?
- How do you generally feel about this company?
- What did you like most about this company?
- What did you like least about this company?
- What does your new company offer that this company doesn't?
- Can this company do anything to encourage you to stay?
- Before deciding to leave, did you investigate a transfer within the company?
- Did anyone in this company discriminate against you, harass you, or cause hostile working conditions?
- Any other comments?
Regards,
Pravin.P 😊
From India, Madras
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An exit interview is typically a meeting between at least one representative from a company's human resources (HR) department and a departing employee. (The departing employee usually has voluntarily resigned vs. getting laid off or fired.) The HR rep might ask the employee questions while taking notes, ask the employee to complete a questionnaire, or both.
What's the Purpose of an Exit Interview?
Human resources departments conduct exit interviews (also called exit surveys) to gather data for improving working conditions and retaining employees. However, a hidden purpose is to help employers avoid costly litigation down the road, caused by "disgruntled" employees.
In other words, your comments and the notes an HR rep takes during your exit interview might be used against you in court, should you decide to sue your former employer.
Must I Submit to an Exit Interview?
No. It's your right to decline an exit interview. A reputable employer will respect your decision. However, a not-so-reputable employer might resent that you didn't participate and file a "would not rehire" or similar adverse notation in your personnel records. The same employer might reveal the notation during a background check.
Exit Interview Questions - Samples
Listed below are samples of the types of exit interview questions that employers commonly ask departing employees:
- What is your primary reason for leaving?
- Did anything trigger your decision to leave?
- What was most satisfying about your job?
- What was least satisfying about your job?
- What would you change about your job?
- Did your job duties turn out to be as you expected?
- Did you receive enough training to do your job effectively?
- Did you receive adequate support to do your job?
- Did you receive sufficient feedback about your performance between merit reviews?
- Were you satisfied with this company's merit review process?
- Did this company help you to fulfill your career goals?
- Do you have any tips to help us find your replacement?
- What would you improve to make our workplace better?
- Were you happy with your pay, benefits, and other incentives?
- What was the quality of the supervision you received?
- What could your immediate supervisor do to improve his or her management style?
- Based on your experience with us, what do you think it takes to succeed at this company?
- Did any company policies or procedures (or any other obstacles) make your job more difficult?
- Would you consider working again for this company in the future?
- Would you recommend working for this company to your family and friends?
- How do you generally feel about this company?
- What did you like most about this company?
- What did you like least about this company?
- What does your new company offer that this company doesn't?
- Can this company do anything to encourage you to stay?
- Before deciding to leave, did you investigate a transfer within the company?
- Did anyone in this company discriminate against you, harass you, or cause hostile working conditions?
- Any other comments?
Regards,
Pravin.P 😊
From India, Madras
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Hi,
In addition to the sound advice given before me, I would recommend that you read "First Break All The Rules" by Curt Coffman and Marcus Buckingham. They are from Gallup, an organization with over 20 years of experience in conducting all types of surveys.
The book discusses in detail, based on actual findings, why people leave organizations and what can be done to retain your best people. When you go through the Q12 (a set of 12 questions devised by them to understand organizational climate), you will better understand the need and usefulness of exit interviews.
If you can manage the time, you should supplement the above reading with theories of motivation and theories of leadership. These theories help as a cross-check in understanding organizational culture and climate and subsequently guide remedial actions to be taken.
Regards,
Ryan
From India, Mumbai
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
In addition to the sound advice given before me, I would recommend that you read "First Break All The Rules" by Curt Coffman and Marcus Buckingham. They are from Gallup, an organization with over 20 years of experience in conducting all types of surveys.
The book discusses in detail, based on actual findings, why people leave organizations and what can be done to retain your best people. When you go through the Q12 (a set of 12 questions devised by them to understand organizational climate), you will better understand the need and usefulness of exit interviews.
If you can manage the time, you should supplement the above reading with theories of motivation and theories of leadership. These theories help as a cross-check in understanding organizational culture and climate and subsequently guide remedial actions to be taken.
Regards,
Ryan
From India, Mumbai
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