Tips how to have an effective exit interview and really make it count

Did you ever imagine that you would leave the company the same way you came in, with an interview? Exit interviews (also known as exit meetings or exit surveys) are a great way for you to provide constructive feedback to the company as you depart.

Giving feedback regarding your experiences, opinions, and suggestions during the exit interview will provide valuable insight into areas of needed improvement for the company.

In this article, you’ll discover:

• What is an exit interview?

• Is an exit interview common?

• What does HR do with exit interviews?

• How long is a typical exit interview?

• Can you decline an exit interview?

• How should you behave at an exit interview?

• Are exit interviews confidential?

• What should you say during an exit interview?

• What should you not say in an exit interview?

• What are five typical questions asked during an exit interview?

• Should you be honest in an exit interview?

What is an exit interview?

An exit interview is a process in which you are asked questions about your experiences, opinions, and suggestions as you leave the organization. The purpose of the exit interview is for the company to learn why you are choosing to leave and how the company can improve and retain top talent such as yourself in the future.

Is an exit interview common?

Research by Harvard Business Review (HBR) indicates that most companies do not conduct exit interviews. In addition, Nobscot.com reports, “Research shows that the average response rate for paper and pencil exit interviews is approximately 15%, down from a previous 30-35%. That means that a company with 2000 employees and 15% turnover rate would expect to receive only 45 completed exit interviews per year. At this participation level the organization is getting exit feedback from just 2.25% of the total employee population.”

While not all companies conduct exit interviews, they are slowly becoming more common as companies recognize the value of gathering feedback from departing employees.

What does HR do with these interviews?

Human resources (HR) departments use exit interviews to gather feedback from departing employees. The purpose is to gain insight into why the employee is leaving, what their experience was, and ask if the departing employee has any constructive feedback.

Once this information is collected, HR will:

• Identify areas for improvement

• Evaluate management

• Analyze turnover trends

• Implement employee retention efforts

According to HBR, “The greater goal for any company, of course, is to retain valued employees. Research has shown that high turnover predicts low performance and that an organization with turnover lower than its competitors’ can be at a considerable advantage—particularly if it retains its top performers. If people are leaving an organization in ever-increasing numbers, figuring out why is crucial. And the most useful tool for doing so is one that too few leaders pay attention to: exit interviews.”

How long is a typical exit interview?

The length of the exit interview can vary from company to company, but you can typically expect to be asked anywhere from five to ten questions and for the interview to last anywhere from 15 minutes to one hour.

Much of this can depend on several factors.

• Is the exit interview face-to-face, by phone, online, or pen and paper?

• How much information are you willing to share?

• How complex are the issues that you share?

• How deep the company would like to dig and learn about your experiences and your reason for exiting the company

Can you decline an exit interview?

Yes, you can politely decline an exit interview. But remember, this is your opportunity to provide constructive feedback on your experiences and give suggestions on how the company can improve for current and future employees. Your voice can make a difference.

How should you behave at an exit interview?

According to Forbes, there are five steps you should take to prepare for and professionally handle an exit interview.

1. Vent any negative feelings ahead of time, not during the interview.

2. Plan and prepare for the session.

3. Exit with grace by focusing on the positive.

4. Provide useful facts.

5. Have your own informal exit interviews with colleagues, team members, or other supervisors.

Are interviews for your exit confidential?

Exit interviews should be considered confidential and must be handled as such. The person representing the company and conducting the exit interview should be deemed a professional with high ethical standards. For the exit interview to work and be effective, you must feel comfortable and at ease sharing your experiences and suggestions with the person conducting the interview.

Now, with all that said, there may be situations where the exit interview cannot remain confidential. In cases where the exiting employee discussed illegal activities, harassment, or discrimination, the company must act by investigating and addressing such allocations. 

What should you say in an exit interview?

An exit interview is your opportunity to provide constructive feedback that can help the organization improve. It is important for you to be honest but also respectful and professional.

Here are five things that you will want to share in an exit interview:

1. Share your reasons for leaving.

2. Talk about your experiences, both good and bad.

3. Provide feedback on policies and practices.

4. Discuss opportunities for growth and development.

5. Offer suggestions for improvement.

What should you not say?

No matter the reasoning behind your departure from the company, you will always want to be professional. Here are six things to steer clear of when in your exit interview.

1. Do not make personal attacks.

2. Do not offer false information.

3. Do not get emotional.

4. Do not share confidential information.

5. Do not make legal threats.

6. Do not be negative.

What are five typical questions asked during an exit interview?

As mentioned, you can expect the exit interview to consist of five to ten questions and last anywhere from 15 minutes to one hour.

Here are five potential questions that you may be asked during your exit interview.

1. What prompted you to start looking for other job opportunities?

2. Were you satisfied with your job responsibilities and duties? If not, what would you have liked to change?

3. Did you feel valued and appreciated as an employee? If not, can you share specific examples?

4. What suggestions do you have for improving the company's policies and practices?

5. Would you recommend this company as a good place to work? Why or why not?

Should you be honest in this interview?

It is very important to be honest in your exit interview. However, remember that being honest does not mean unloading years of frustration and anger on the one conducting the exit interview. 

Always remain professional but give truthful answers. Honesty about your past work experiences along with your feedback on management and the company culture will allow the company to improve.

Key takeaways

1. An exit interview is the process in which you are asked about your experiences, opinions, and suggestions as you leave the organization.

2. The purpose of the exit interview is to learn why you are choosing to leave the company and how the company can improve and retain top talent such as yourself.

3. Giving detailed, helpful feedback during the exit interview will provide valuable insight into areas of needed improvement for the company.

4. Always be honest and professional during the exit interview. Don’t present personal attacks, give false or confidential information, or make legal threats.