Exit Interview Questions

Losing employees is never fun. You may be stressed about hiring a replacement, keeping up the performance level in your team or simply losing a friend. There are many things you can do to take care of leaving employees but one of the most important tools you have at hand is the commonly-practiced exit interview.

Here is some inspiration for questions to guide you through the conversation:

1. What prompted you to start looking for another job?
2. Under what circumstances, if any, would you consider returning to the company?
3. Do you think management recognised employee contributions? If not, how do you think recognition could be improved?
4. What was your number one motivator to take another job?
5. Were there any company policies you found difficult to understand or unnecessary?
6. Do you feel your job description changed since you were hired? Did you feel you were involved in this process?
7. Did you feel you had the tools, resources and working conditions to be successful in your role? If not, which areas could be improved and how?
8. Do you feel you had the necessary training to be successful in your role? If not, how could it have been better?
9. What was the best part of your job here?
10. Do you have any concerns about the company  or your manager, department or team you’d like to share?

Finally, leave the set frame of questions and ask the employee to elaborate on other thoughts they may have. Take notes and encourage them to reach out if they think of anything else after the meeting.