An effective exit interview can provide you with valuable information to improve productivity and retention rates. When an employee leaves your employment voluntarily, they are probably willing to provide information about the company, supervision, environment, compensation and benefits. You can also get information from employees who are terminated, but you should consider the circumstances under which they are responding, and weed out any responses that come out of anger or frustration.

Here are examples of some exit interview questions that may help improve retention and your selection process:How can we improve the work area?

• What frustrated you most about your job?
• What did you like best about your job?
• What will your new job give you that we have not?
• What company policies/benefits did you find most valuable?
• What company policies/benefits made your job difficult and why?
• How well do you feel you understood company goals?
• How effective was your initial orientation/training in helping you do your job?
• What will you miss most about working here?

Assure the interviewee that the questions are being asked in an effort to improve working conditions for current and future employees. You may be surprised at the information you will learn.