Headhunter Nick Corcodilos calls exit interviews the “cockroaches of the employment world” because “no one knows why they exist, no one can justify or eliminate them, and they will likely survive into the third millennium.”
I love the idea of exit interviews in theory, as they could gather valuable data that companies could use to improve the employee experience, reduce turnover, and ultimately lower costs. But, employees on the way out the door don’t have a good reason to be honest about why they are leaving, as they need to leave on good terms to protect future references.
Why traditional exit interviews don’t work
Employees tend to give generic responses, like, “I didn’t intend to leave, but this opportunity just landed in my lap, and it will allow me to grow and develop!” when, in reality, the person has been interviewing like crazy for the past six months or more.
To keep reading, click here: The $75 Lunch That Beats Any Exit Interview
That’s fine if candidates are local, but I’ve had to have moved for almost every job of my career. What do you suggest when former employees are 2+ hours away?