Exit Interview Meaning, Definition

An exit interview is a discussion that happens with the employee to exchange information, usually on their last day of work. All in all, it is a procedure of employee offboarding. The interview allows the employee to give the reasons behind their leaving the organization, areas where the company can improve, and also provides feedback about their work experience. Further, there is more to the importance of exit interviews, as they help improve employee retention and overall performance.

Offboarding interview could happen either ways in a form of fact to face discussion with the HR or manager where they will answer exit meeting questions. Or it can also take place in the form of a survey questionnaire that employee is asked to fill.

Moreover, it is not mandatory for the organizations to conduct exit interviews. Thus, they can choose not to conduct it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1.	What is an exit interview?
Ans.	It is an employee exit survey that is conducted with them at the time when they are leaving the organization. In essence, it is a part of the employee departure process to gain their feedback on why they are leaving and their work experience with the organization.
Q2.	When should an exit interview be conducted?
Ans.	It should be conducted during the last few days or the last working day of the employee. Moreover, one of the effective employee retention strategies is conducting the exit interview with the employee.
Q3.	How to conduct an effective exit interview?
Ans.	These can be conducted via a survey form, and also face to face with the HR or manager. But the most effective is the latter. For this, choose the right interviewer, explain the process to the employees, be flexible in offering an interview call, and have a clear plan before you begin the interview. Also, ask short questions regarding reasons for leaving and then share the insights with the team.
Q4.	Who should conduct an exit interview?
Ans.	To facilitate an honest and open interview, the HR or the second-line supervisor should conduct it. Comparatively, some companies also choose to outsource interviews to external consultants to maintain confidentiality and uphold best practices.
Q5.	What questions are commonly asked in an exit interview?
Ans.	The questions asked in the interview usually centre around the reasons for leaving the organization and the areas that need improvement. Further, it may also cover what aspects of the company policies were unclear to them, and the experience of the employee with the organization.
Q6.	Are exit interviews mandatory?
Ans.	These interviews are not mandatory. However, many companies still prefer to have a conversation with their employees to know the reasons for leaving voluntarily.
Q7.	What does HR do with exit interview feedback?
Ans.	The HR gathers the information from these interviews to identify the areas where the company needs to make improvements. Moreover, they also address concerns and implement changes in practices and policies.
Q8.	Can exit interviews be anonymous?
Ans.	Yes, these can be anonymous. This is done to encourage honest feedback, especially when conducted by an external consultant to maintain confidentiality.