What Is an Exit Interview?

Key takeaways

Human resources (HR) professionals conduct brief exit interviews with employees who are leaving the organization.

• Exit interviews, which are optional, are an offboarding step for employees and provide both the employee and the organization with closure.

• Companies may use an exit interview to identify areas for improvement, review outgoing procedures, and even encourage employees to stay.

• You can prepare for your interview by jotting down some notes, expressing your gratitude, and keeping the discussion positive.

Learn more about what makes an effective exit interview, including some of the questions that the human resources team might ask you. To build job-ready skills, consider enrolling in the University of Michigan’s Leading People and Teams Specialization. In as little as four weeks, you’ll have the opportunity to learn how to create and communicate your vision as a leader. Upon completion, you’ll have developed in-depth knowledge to prepare you for your career.

What is an exit interview from a job?

An exit interview is a brief conversation or survey conducted with an employee who is leaving an organization. They occur most often between an employee and an organization, but they can also be between a student and an educational institution or between a member and an association.

Typically, human resources (HR) members conduct these interviews, which can happen whether or not the employee was let go (fired or laid off) or if the employee quit. Interviews usually take between 30 and 60 minutes and can provide organizations with meaningful insights from employee feedback that can illuminate underlying issues in their workplace culture, employee satisfaction, and overall employee lifecycle.

These interviews are not mandatory. Employees who are leaving are well within their rights to decline a request for an exit interview. That said, the offboarding process can often provide workers with closure after completing their tenure at an organization. It also equips employers with insights that can boost their overall retention rate, lower employee turnover, and improve job satisfaction.

What is the purpose of an exit interview?

According to recent research, about 75 percent of companies conduct exit interviews [1]. Why do so many companies conduct them? There are several reasons: 

• Identify areas for improvement: One key purpose of an exit interview is to get a first-hand account of any problem areas within the company. Employers want insight into how to improve the work environment and retain future employees. 

• Review outgoing procedures: Companies also conduct exit interviews to review any ongoing employee obligations. For instance, if you signed a non-compete clause or non-disclosure agreement, you might be reminded that you can’t work for a competing company.

• Encourage the employee to stay: In some cases, a company might use the exit interview to offer you a new position or new responsibilities, in the form of a counteroffer. This doesn’t happen often, but it is a possibility.

Read more: How to Decline a Job Offer Respectfully

Are exit interviews mandatory?

In some companies, exit interviews are set as an employee obligation. If you signed a contract agreeing to do an exit interview, then you’re required to do so. 

If you didn't, then you’re not legally obligated to participate in an interview, according to the University of Southern California [2]. You can voluntarily decline to participate. 

Should you participate? That's entirely up to you. Some people believe that completing an exit interview is a way to leave on good terms and suggest changes to help the person who follows you. But if you’re emotional about leaving or think you'll struggle to provide constructive criticism, skipping the interview may be best for all parties involved. 

What is asked in an exit interview?

During an exit interview, HR will ask several questions about your decision to leave and how the company can improve. Here are questions you might hear during an exit interview: 

• Why did you start looking for a different job?

• What does your new position offer that differs from your role here?

• In what areas could the company improve?

• Is there anything that could have kept you here?

• How would you describe the company culture?

• How was your relationship with your manager? How could it have been better? 

• Did you feel like a valued team member while working here? 

• What are the best and worst parts of your job? 

• How could we improve employee morale? 

• Do you feel like you lacked resources, training, or feedback that you needed to improve or stay? 

• Did you have adequate growth potential within the company?

• What would you change about this position? 

What to expect during the exit interview

It's normal to feel a range of emotions when leaving a job. If you’re planning to complete the interview, it helps to know what to expect. During the interview, you can typically expect:

1. Questionnaire to start the process

To begin the exit interview, you may receive a set of questions via email or an online survey. Some companies use these pre-interview surveys to guide the exit interview. With the basics provided from the questionnaire, HR managers use the in-person time to discuss specific feedback.

2. A professional setting

Generally, a manager or human resources representative will ask you to sit down in a conference room or office. Most companies prefer a formal setting for the interview. If in-person meetings aren't possible, exit interviews could take place via video call.

3. Objective interviewer 

The person conducting the interview will ask questions, listen to your answers, and likely jot down some notes. Since exit interviews can be charged, the person asking the questions will remain neutral. This might be a bit off-putting, but it's meant to keep the interview professional. 

4. Confidential review process

Most companies keep the data collected during an exit interview confidential and anonymous. Companies that effectively use exit data to identify and fix problems share their feedback with executives but do so anonymously. 

Before your exit interview, you can ask how your responses will be used. 

How to leave a positive impression

An exit interview presents an opportunity to make an impact on the experience of those on the team you're leaving, as well as on future employees of the company.

1. Write it down.

Take some time to write down the thoughts you’d like to share. Whether you worked at the company for one year or 20 years, you gave your time and energy to that company, so you’re bound to have something to share. To make sure you discuss your priorities, write your thoughts down beforehand. 

2. Keep it positive.

You can point out problems, but try to do so in a productive and respectful way. For example, if you had problems with your boss, express those concerns constructively by suggesting improvements in work distribution or delegation of responsibilities.

If you’re disappointed about being passed over for a promotion, you can mention a lack of professional growth opportunities within the company.

3. Express gratitude.

At the end of the interview, express gratitude. Thank the interviewer for listening to your thoughts about the company. Express gratitude for the growth and learning you experienced while employed there.

Participating in an exit interview is one of the last things you’ll do before moving on to new opportunities. Leaving on a positive note can be helpful if you need a future reference. 

Discover free resources for your career growth

Visit our Career Resource Hub, where you can evaluate your skills and explore various career paths. Then, you can check out the following resources to advance your career:

• Consider your options: Job Search Tips for a Career Change 

• Take a quiz: Career Test: What Career Is Right for Me Quiz? 

• Watch on YouTube: How to Succeed in Virtual Interviews 

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