Exit Interview Questionnaire
An exit interview aims to gather valuable feedback from departing employees regarding their experiences, insights, and suggestions for improvement.
We put together a comprehensive Exit Interview Questionnaire Template designed to provide organizations with a reliable and efficient way for gathering that feedback.
By implementing this questionnaire, you will gain actionable ideas to help drive improvements in your workplace and foster a culture of open communication that values your employees' perspectives. We hope this helps!
Exit Interview Questionnaire
Why These Exit Interview Questions Matter
Exit interviews are a strategic tool—not just farewells. They help us:
Understand why employees leave and uncover patterns in turnover.
Identify strengths and pain points in our culture, leadership, and processes.
Explore improvement opportunities for current and future employees.
Qualtrics reminds us that an effective exit survey should clarify its purpose, invite honesty, and even “not shy away from asking tough questions.”SurveyMonkey+2Paylocity+2Nectar+3Rippling+3SurveyMonkey+3Robert Half+3Qualtrics+3BambooHR+3
For example, BambooHR notes that disengagement, lack of growth, or supervisors are among the top three reasons people leave—why it’s vital to ask the right exit interview questions for employees.BambooHR
My Exit Interview Process: Template + Questionnaire Flow
Here’s how I set up my exit process:
Send a Warm Intro with Purpose
I explain that I’m there to learn—not judge—and genuinely appreciate their candid thoughts.Use a Balanced Exit Interview Template
I use a structured framework combining open-ended and specific questions to guide the conversation.Choose the Interview Method Thoughtfully
Whether it’s an in-person chat, virtual conversation, or a self-completed exit interview questionnaire PDF, the goal is comfort and candor. As per LinkedIn’s best practices, having multiple options helps improve participation.Mentally Healthy Productions: A ToolkitQualtrics+6BambooHR+6Great Place To Work®+6Wikipedia+15LinkedIn+15SurveyMonkey+15Asana+7Great Place To Work®+7Rippling+7Customize the Questionnaire Accordingly
My exit survey questions include customized prompts along with standardized core questions (to spot patterns).Capture Insights, Respectfully
I always listen actively, take notes, and invite any final thoughts—sometimes the most valuable feedback comes at the end.
Sample Exit Interview Questions (By Theme)
Here’s a curated list based on top HR sources to help you build your own exit interview template or exit interview questions template:
Reasons for Leaving & Final Insights
Why did you decide to leave the company?PaylocityRobert Half+4BambooHR+4Asana+4
What prompted you to start looking elsewhere?Robert Half
Would you ever consider returning, under different circumstances?LinkedIn+10Robert Half+10BambooHR+10
Role & Experience
Did you feel adequately trained and equipped for success?EddySoftware+11Paylocity+11Robert Half+11
Were your responsibilities clear and aligned with your expectations?Mentally Healthy Productions: A Toolkit+15Nectar+15BambooHR+15
What did you enjoy most about your role? What about the least?Harvard Business Review+15Paylocity+15SurveyMonkey+15
Management & Team Dynamics
How well did you get along with your manager and peers?Wikipedia+5BambooHR+5SurveyMonkey+5
Did you receive useful feedback and recognition?Qualtrics+7Nectar+7Wikipedia+7
Culture & Company-wide Observations
How would you describe our company culture and values?Rippling+12Nectar+12SurveyMonkey+12
What strengths should we maintain—and what needs improvement?AsanaRobert Half
Future-Focused Questions
What are your professional plans, and did we prepare you well for them?Office of Financial Management
What advice would you offer future team members?Nectar
How likely are you to recommend us as a workplace, and why?NectarRobert Half
Best Practices I Always Keep in Mind
Use a consistent template every time for reliable trend tracking. Paylocity suggests standardized questions help categorize feedback for meaningful analysis.Paylocity+1
Offer multiple ways to participate, including forms, interviews, or surveys. LinkedIn encourages giving options to improve participation.LinkedIn
Have a neutral interviewer—not the direct manager—to encourage openness and reduce bias.Asana+6Thomson Reuters Legal+6BambooHR+6
Protect confidentiality and build trust. Great Place to Work recommends ensuring psychological safety and reassurance of privacy.Great Place To Work®
FAQ - Exit Questionnaire
What’s the difference between an “exit interview template,” “exit interview questions template,” and “exit interview questionnaire PDF”?
They’re essentially different formats: a template provides the structure, a questions template offers the actual prompts, and a PDF allows for self-completion—flexibility to suit your workflow.
Should I use digital forms or live interviews?
Mix it up! Live interviews, especially with neutral HR staff, often yield richer insights, while digital surveys can capture honest feedback from those out of time on their last day.Wikipedia
How many questions is ideal?
I aim for a balance—about 10–15 questions, blending open-ended reflections with specific prompts so it's meaningful but not overwhelming.
Can I reuse the same template for all exits?
Absolutely. Standardization helps identify trends and compare feedback across time. You can always customize follow-ups based on role or tenure.PaylocityGreat Place To Work®
What if someone refuses to participate?
That’s okay. I follow up with a short anonymous survey—sometimes brave feedback only comes when it's optional and confidential.
What’s the best timing for the interview?
During the final week of work is optimal. Exit interviews held then see 80%+ completion rates, compared to under 20% if done too early or after departure.Wikipedia
Who should conduct the exit interview?
Preferably HR or another neutral party—not a direct manager—to create a comfortable, candid atmosphere.Rippling
Final Thoughts — Make Exit Interviews Matter
For me, exit interviews are more than a checklist—they’re feedback loops, learning opportunities, and a gracious way to close a chapter. By using a structured exit interview questions template, offering flexible formats like exit interview questionnaire PDFs, and asking thoughtful exit survey questions, we can gather insights that truly drive improvement.
Tags: exit interview, exit interview questionnaire, questions for leaving employees, exit interview questionnaire pdf
Author: Reid Alexander
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only & not intended as professional legal or HR advice. Consult with qualified professionals for advice tailored to your specific situation. The author & publisher disclaim any liability for errors, omissions, or actions taken based on this content.