What Questions Are Usually Asked in Exit Interviews?
To ensure a productive and insightful exit interview, we’ve gathered nine essential questions from CEOs, founders, and HR professionals. From uncovering unexpected challenges faced to identifying missing benefits or programs, these experts provide valuable insights for employers to make the most of their exit interviews.
- Uncover Unexpected Challenges Faced
- Assess Employee Growth and Development
- Identify Skills for Career Enhancement
- Address Sources of Frustration
- Evaluate Diversity and Inclusion Efforts
- Enhance Company Culture Together
- Improve Leadership and Management Style
- Understand Reasons for Leaving
- Identify Missing Benefits or Programs
Uncover Unexpected Challenges Faced
As an employer, it is important to ask a variety of questions during the exit interview. One informative question to consider asking is: “What was one unexpected challenge that came up during your employment?” By asking this question, you gain insight into the obstacles and difficulties they faced throughout their time in the position.
This feedback can provide valuable information on improving processes or training for future employees. In addition, their response may also reveal any hidden issues that could affect overall job satisfaction or productivity within the company.
Tasia Duske, CEO, Museum Hack
Assess Employee Growth and Development
An exit interview question for an employer to ask is “What advice would you give your current self if you could go back in time?” This question provides insight into how the employee has grown, developed, and matured over their employment duration.
It allows employers an opportunity to assess not only how well the employee performed, but what knowledge or experiences they have gained in their time with the company. The answers they provide could serve as useful guidance for future employees with similar roles and responsibilities.
Michael Alexis, CEO, Virtual Team Building
Identify Skills for Career Enhancement
When conducting an exit interview with your hiring manager or employer, asking the following question will help you continue to grow as a professional and advance your career: “Are there any skills or areas of expertise you believe I should further develop to enhance my career prospects?”
By asking this, you show a proactive mindset and a commitment to self-improvement. This question invites your manager to provide valuable insights and recommendations, guiding you towards areas of focus that can contribute to your professional growth and open up new opportunities.
If you’re leaving your current job on a positive note, demonstrating your commitment to continual growth and professional development can also help open doors later down the road by earning you a referral.
Samuel Johns, CPRW and Career Counselor, Resume Genius
Address Sources of Frustration
As an employer, asking about an employee’s source of frustration during their tenure can open up a valuable opportunity to identify areas for improvement and growth. It shows that you are open to feedback and will improve the work environment.
This question can uncover any issues that may lead to turnover in the future. It also gives the employee an opportunity to provide constructive criticism and feel heard. By using this question, you gain insights into what could be improved in terms of management, communication, workload, and work-life balance, which can help in creating a more positive work environment.
Jefferson McCall, Co-founder and HR Head, TechBullish
Evaluate Diversity and Inclusion Efforts
Creating an inclusive exit interview question that leaves exiting employees feeling valued and heard is crucial for fostering an inclusive work environment.
One could be: “Reflecting on your time with our company, are there any suggestions or insights you’d like to share regarding our efforts to maintain a diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace? We value your privacy and welcome honest feedback that can help guide us in enhancing the work culture and environment for current and future employees.”
This question thoughtfully addresses critical issues like discrimination and harassment while providing space for honest feedback. It also respects the employee’s privacy and shows the company’s commitment to continuous improvement in diversity and inclusion.
Employers can gain constructive and actionable insights that contribute to a more inclusive and welcoming work culture by asking this question.
Vivian Acquah CDE®, Certified Diversity Executive, Amplify DEI
Enhance Company Culture Together
One thought-provoking exit interview question for employers to ask is, “If you had the power to change one thing about our company culture, what would it be?” This question encourages departing employees to reflect on their experience and share valuable insights into improving the workplace environment.
According to a study by Harvard Business Review, 75% of employees believe that company culture directly affects job satisfaction and overall performance. By asking this question, employers gain firsthand knowledge of potential areas for growth and can take proactive steps to address concerns.
A real-life example is the software company Adobe, which implemented changes in response to exit interview feedback, resulting in increased employee retention and satisfaction. By actively seeking employee perspectives, employers foster a culture of openness and continuous improvement, leading to a more engaged workforce and a stronger company culture.
Himanshu Sharma, CEO and Founder, Academy of Digital Marketing
Improve Leadership and Management Style
One important exit interview question to ask as an employer is, “What aspects of our leadership and management style could be improved to better support employees?” This question allows departing employees to provide valuable feedback on the effectiveness of leadership within the organization. By seeking insights into any potential gaps or areas for improvement, employers can gain valuable perspectives that can contribute to enhancing their leadership approach.
Loren Howard, Founder, Prime Plus Mortgages
Understand Reasons for Leaving
An employer can ask during an exit interview, “Why did you look for a new job?” This question helps us understand why the employee left. It can give clues about things in the company that could be better. For example, the employee might have wanted a better chance to move up in their career and thought we did not pay them enough, didn’t like their boss, or just wanted a change.
Knowing these reasons can help the company make things better for everyone else who still works there. It’s important to listen to what the person leaving says, and use that to make improvements.
Irina Poddubnaia, Ceo, Founder, TrackMage
Identify Missing Benefits or Programs
“What benefits or programs did you feel were missing from the organization?” is one excellent exit interview question. An employee will probably have direct experience with the company’s benefits package, making them a significant source of information on how to improve it. The better the program through the employee’s eyes, the better employee retention will be for the business in the future.
Monte Deere, CEO, Kizik
