Why You Need to Conduct an Exit Interview

Ever had a great employee leave and wondered why?

You know the feeling. A top performer hands in their resignation, and you’re caught off guard. Was it the workload? A bad experience with a manager? Were they feeling undervalued? Or did they simply find a better offer?

It’s like watching your favorite player leave the team mid-season, and not knowing the reason. You could guess. Or you could ask. That’s exactly where exit interviews come in.

In a world where talent is harder to keep than ever, companies can’t afford to stay in the dark. Replacing an employee can cost thousands in recruiting, training, and lost productivity. But here’s the kicker: turnover is preventable, if you know what’s going wrong.

Exit Interviews are your backstage pass into the employee experience, what’s working, what’s broken, and what needs to change. And when done right, they can transform your culture from the inside out.

What is an Exit Interview?

At its core, an exit interview is a structured conversation between an employer (usually someone in HR) and a departing employee. It’s held during the employee’s final days at the company, ideally a few days before their last day and serves one clear purpose: to understand why they’re leaving and what the company can learn from it.

Think of it like a debrief. You’re not trying to change their mind or convince them to stay. Instead, you’re collecting insights, raw, unfiltered, and often more honest than anything you’ll hear in employee surveys. Why? Because once someone’s on their way out, the fear of repercussions fades. They’re finally free to speak their mind.

Exit interviews can take a few forms:

• In-person conversations: Great for building trust and asking follow-ups on the spot.
• Phone calls: Ideal for remote teams or global staff.
• Online surveys: Scalable and more anonymous, encouraging more honest feedback.

Regardless of format, the magic lies in asking the right questions and actually doing something with the answers.

Why You Should Conduct an Exit Interview

Let’s face it, people don’t usually leave jobs “just because.” There’s always a reason. Maybe it’s a toxic manager, a lack of advancement, or simply burnout from being overworked. But if you’re not asking, you’re not learning. And if you’re not learning, you’re likely repeating the same mistakes.

Here’s why exit interviews are non-negotiable if you want to build a thriving, resilient workplace:

1. You Gain Real, Actionable Feedback

Surveys and performance reviews can only tell you so much. Exit interviews go deeper. They reveal the truth behind the resignation letter. You’ll hear what worked, what didn’t, and what could’ve been done better, straight from the source.

2. You Reduce Turnover (and Save Money)

Every time someone quits, it costs you time, money, morale. But when exit interviews highlight recurring issues, you can fix them before more employees walk out the door. It’s like treating the disease, not just the symptoms.

3. You Build a Better Company Culture

Employee feedback, especially the hard truths, shine a light on the cracks in your culture. Are your values really being lived out? Do people feel heard? Safe? Supported? The answers might sting, but they’re the key to long-term growth.

4. You Leave the Door Open

A thoughtful exit interview ends things on a positive note. Even if the employee’s experience wasn’t perfect, showing that you care about their perspective can leave a lasting impression. Who knows? They might come back, or refer someone else to your team.

How to Conduct Meaningful Exit Interviews

If you’ve ever thought, “I want to start doing exit interviews, but I’m not sure where to begin,” you’re not alone. The truth is, knowing why someone leaves is just the first step. 

What really matters is how you conduct the conversation, what questions you ask, and how you turn that feedback into real, lasting improvements. If you are ready to dive deeper and want a practical guide to get started, we’ve got you covered.  Our free Exit Interview Template is packed with ready-to-use questions, best practices, and tips to help you turn every exit into an opportunity for growth.