Exit interviews are more than a routine HR activity—they’re a powerful tool for understanding your workplace dynamics, improving employee retention, and driving organizational growth. When conducted effectively, exit interviews provide candid feedback that can reveal systemic issues and highlight opportunities for improvement.

In this post, we’ll explore the top five questions you should ask during exit interviews to gather actionable insights and make meaningful changes.

1. Why Are You Leaving Your Current Role?

This question gets straight to the heart of the matter. Understanding the primary reasons behind an employee’s departure can help you identify patterns and address recurring issues.

• Follow-Up Prompts:

  • Was there a specific event or moment that led to your decision?

  • Are there factors outside of work influencing your decision?

• What You’ll Learn:

  • Insights into workplace culture, management effectiveness, or lack of growth opportunities.

  •  

2. What Did You Enjoy Most About Working Here?

Highlighting the positives allows you to understand what your organization is doing well. This information can help you double down on strengths and retain top talent.

• Follow-Up Prompts:

  • Were there specific projects, teams, or aspects of the culture you appreciated?

  • How did these positively impact your experience?

• What You’ll Learn:

  • Key elements of your workplace that foster engagement and satisfaction.

•  

3. What Could We Have Done to Keep You Here?

This question uncovers areas where the organization may have fallen short in meeting employee expectations. While not all departures are preventable, understanding what might have changed the outcome can guide future retention strategies.

• Follow-Up Prompts:

  • Were there specific changes to your role or team that could have influenced your decision?

  • Did you feel supported in your career growth here?

• What You’ll Learn:

  • Practical insights into improving employee support, development, and workplace policies.

  •  

4. How Would You Describe Your Relationship with Your Manager?

The relationship between an employee and their direct manager is one of the most significant factors in job satisfaction and retention. This question helps pinpoint leadership strengths and areas for improvement.

• Follow-Up Prompts:

  • Did you feel heard and supported by your manager?

  • Were expectations and feedback communicated effectively?

• What You’ll Learn:

  • Insights into management effectiveness and potential training opportunities.

  •  

5. Do You Have Any Suggestions for Improving the Workplace?

Inviting open-ended feedback encourages employees to share observations and ideas that may not have surfaced during their tenure. This can lead to actionable changes that benefit the organization.

• Follow-Up Prompts:

  • Are there specific policies or practices you think need adjustment?

  • What changes would make the workplace more inclusive or engaging?

• What You’ll Learn:

  • Fresh perspectives on policies, culture, and areas of inefficiency.

  •  

How to Make the Most of Exit Interview Insights

1. Aggregate Data: Look for trends and recurring themes across multiple exit interviews.

2. Act on Feedback: Prioritize actionable changes based on the feedback received.

3. Communicate Improvements: Share how feedback has led to changes to reinforce trust among current employees.

Turn Insights into Action with Askia Enterprise

Conducting meaningful exit interviews is just the first step. At Askia Enterprise, we help businesses translate feedback into strategies that improve retention, enhance workplace culture, and strengthen their employer brand.

Download Our Free Exit Interview Checklist to structure your interviews effectively or Schedule a Consultation to learn how our outplacement solutions can support your team.

About Askia Enterprise
Askia Enterprise provides modern outplacement solutions designed to protect your employer brand and help departing employees transition successfully. From expert career coaching to actionable resources, we empower businesses to navigate change with confidence.