Exit Interview
A conversation between HR and the exiting employee, usually in the last week, to capture honest feedback on why they're leaving.
What is Exit Interview?
An exit interview is a structured conversation HR has with an employee in their final week, before the last working day. The goal is to capture honest feedback on what worked, what didn't, and why the person is leaving. Common questions cover reasons for leaving, manager experience, team culture, growth opportunities, compensation fairness, and what could have made them stay. The interview is voluntary but most employees participate, especially when they're told the feedback is anonymised before being shared with leadership. Patterns from exit interviews (multiple people leaving the same manager, same reason) are gold for fixing retention problems. One-off feedback from a frustrated exit is less reliable.
How Exit Interview is used
Run exit interviews in person or video, never via a written form alone. Body language and tone reveal more than typed answers.
Exit Interview FAQs
Is an exit interview mandatory?
No. It's voluntary. But most employees participate because they want to share feedback and stay on good terms for future references.
Should the manager be in the exit interview?
No. The whole point is psychological safety. If the manager is the issue, presence kills honest feedback. HR runs it solo.
What happens to exit interview feedback?
HR aggregates it quarterly, anonymises it, and shares trends with leadership. Individual comments stay confidential to protect the employee.