What Are Exit Interviews and How Do They Work?
Whether you’re leaving your role on your own terms or you’ve been pushed out, exit interviews are a very common Human Resources tactic to gaining critical feedback about their organizations such as workload demand, culture, and employee happiness.
In this post, we get into the nuts and bolts of exit interviews and how they work.
What Is An Exit Interview?
The departure from a job can mark the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. As professionals, it’s important to leave roles on the best of terms as you never know who knows who in the professional world. Who knows, you may end up working with your colleagues again or your former company may be a client in the future.
One vital aspect of this transition is the exit interview – a process that offers departing employees a platform to share their experiences, insights, and perspectives with their soon-to-be former employers.
Exit interviews are a pivotal juncture where departing employees can articulate their thoughts, concerns, and suggestions. Beyond the surface, these interviews are not only a means of farewell, but also a vital tool for organizations to evaluate and refine their practices. They are a two-way street, benefiting both employees and the company.
Exit interviews are most common at the mid-career and higher/executive employee level but if an organization is experiencing massive retention issues with young people for example, they may decide to deploy exit interviews to entry-level employees too.
An exit interview presents a unique chance to reflect on the journey that has led to this point. For the employee, it's a moment to candidly express what worked well, what could have been better, and what future aspirations hold. This introspective exercise not only aids in closure but also serves as a stepping stone towards personal growth.
For organizations, these candid conversations provide valuable data points that extend beyond mere turnover statistics. They illuminate areas of excellence and opportunities for growth, offer perspectives on company culture, and pinpoint areas where operational improvements can be made.
As a career coach, being able to review exit interview data helps me tie past experiences to future prospects as I advise companies on what they need to change in their hiring and retention processes. If we don’t know why people are leaving, it’s hard to understand what needs to be created to keep people to stay.
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How To Prepare For An Exit Interview
Depending on your situation (voluntarily leaving a job or being forced out), it's generally courteous to inform your immediate supervisor and team members about your decision to leave the role before your exit interview. This enables them to plan for your transition and ensure a smooth handover of responsibilities.
To leave on a positive note, don’t burn any bridges on your way out. It’s professional best practice to make an effort to complete or document any pending tasks, projects, or assignments. This showcases your commitment to a seamless transition and demonstrates your professionalism. It also gives your colleagues a clear understanding of your work, which can be invaluable in the post-departure phase.
In the midst of change, it's easy to overlook certain experiences, accomplishments, or concerns that you may want to address during the exit interview. Before your exit interview, take time to reflect and organize your thoughts. Jot down key points, specific instances, and constructive suggestions you'd like to share. This preparation enables you to make the most of the interview and provide valuable feedback.
Regardless of the circumstances surrounding your departure, maintaining a professional and constructive demeanor during the exit interview is essential. While it's natural to have a mix of positive and negative experiences, approach the interview as an opportunity to contribute to the growth and improvement of the organization. This approach not only reflects positively on you but also maintains a respectful tone throughout the process of leaving your job.
Common Exit Interview Questions
Exit interviews are typically conducted by HR and for privacy reasons, do not typically include managers that directly supervised you. They can be in-person or virtual and can be done on your last day of employment or even after you have already left the organization.
Exit interviews cover various aspects, such as job satisfaction, reasons for leaving, company culture, management, and suggestions for improvement. Here is a basic list of questions you might be asked during an exit interview:
What prompted you to start looking for a new job?
What aspects of your job did you find most satisfying?
Were there any challenges you faced during your time here?
How would you describe the company culture and work environment?
Do you have any recommendations for how we can enhance the employee experience?
Should You Participate in Exit Interviews?
Especially if you are a mid-career or higher level employee, sharing your experience and expressing your thoughts and opinions is a natural part of “growing up” in the professional world. When you hit a certain milestone in your career, your experiences and thoughts matter, the exit interview is the place to lay it out for not only the organization but yourself too.
Participating in exit interviews is a critical way of contributing to positive changes within the organization, which ultimately might be a place you take up another job with in the future. It’s also a professional way to retain and develop a healthy network of individuals and professional relationships.
Even if you aren’t asked to give an exit interview, take the initiative to ask for one yourself. This simple action shows the organization how serious you take your job, leaving it and moving on to the next chapter of your career.
Related:
Developing A Professional Growth Plan: Setting Goals For Success
How To Clean Up Your Daily Routine To Prepare for Career Success
Career Burnout and Neurodivergence: Tips To Being A Successful And Balanced Professional
Meet The Writer!
Hi! My name is Nadia Ibrahim-Taney and I help people design happy and fulfilling careers through authentic career coaching. My expertise includes career exploration guidance, resume writing, interview prep and LinkedIn profile optimization. My pronouns are She/ Her/ Hers and as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I focus on how diverse identities impact and influence folks holistically and professionally. Please connect with me on LinkedIn or at Nadia@beyonddiscoverycoaching.com
