The Importance Of Exit Interviews

The reason that companies have exit interviews is to gain valuable information which can prove to be useful in all aspects of the work environment, including aspects such as the work culture, day to day concerns, processes, issues around management style, workplace ethics and employee morale. This is an invaluable way to gain insights that you may not have been able to garner when an employee is still on the team.

When employees leave, always ask for an exit interview if they are open to it. You would be surprised what departing employees will communicate when they are leaving.

“An exit interview will give the company the opportunity to get the opinions of those leaving company in terms of how they perceive the company, and most importantly, why they would want to leave the company.”

A project manager had been with us for four years. He decided to move to another opportunity. As a project manager, he was in the middle of a variety of cross-functional activities. I asked for an exit interview and he was happy to oblige. He said there was something we should know. He let me know that the technology-outsourcing firm we had been using overseas was run by a relative of our head of technology and he believed there was an inappropriate financial relationship in place.

An exit interview will give the company the opportunity to get the opinions of those leaving the company in terms of how they perceive the company, and most importantly, why they would want to leave the company. Once employees have handed in their resignation and know they are leaving, they are far more likely to open up and be honest when asked to provide constructive criticism in terms of how they perceive the company, the way it’s run, its culture, its management style, and the opportunities offered for career growth.

At the end of the day, exit interviews can be extremely effective tools when used properly, in terms of assessing and analyzing overall employee engagement. If this information is used properly, it can be extremely valuable in terms of playing a part in preventing future employees from leaving the company and improving the company’s overall working environment. For tailored strategies to enhance your exit interview process and boost retention, explore how our Coaching and Consulting Business can support your goals. Join POTD today to make impactful changes!