Methods of Conducting Exit Interviews

Methods of Conducting Exit Interviews

There are many variations for an exit interview process. The most common methods include: voice-based exit interviews, web-based exit interviews, paper-based exit interviews and in-person exit interviews. Conducting exit interviews is much better than not conducting them.

Provided here are the differences of the most common types of exit interviews. Review if one is more effective and beneficial for your situation. Consider exit interview outsourcing when you want to reduce costs, ensure consistency, and improve the quality of exit interview answers.

Voice-based Exit Interview Surveys (Exit interview process conducted over the phone)

Advantages
  • Obtain honest feedback and responses
  • Response rates are higher than other exit interview methods
  • Easier to target a larger sample size than Face-to-face exit surveys
  • More cost effective than Face-to-face exit surveys
  • Obtain detailed responses to questions, allow for additional probing or the exploration of certain key perspectives in more depth
Disadvantages
  • Unable to recognize non-verbal cues

Web-based Exit Interview Surveys (Exit interview process is completed online)

Advantages
  • Easier to target a larger sample size
  • More cost effective than Face-to-face exit surveys and Voice-based exit surveys
  • Less intimidating due to greater perception of anonymity
Disadvantages
  • Unable to recognize non-verbal cues
  • Unable to obtain detailed responses to questions, unlike Face-to-face exit surveys and Voice-based exit surveys, one cannot explore specific key perspectives in more depth
  • Handling of paperwork
  • Low rate of return

In-person Exit Interviews (Exit interview process that is conducted face-to-face)

Advantages
  • Obtain detailed responses to questions, allow for additional probing or the exploration of certain key perspectives in more depth
  • Opportunity to observe the staff exit’s nonverbal cues
Disadvantages
  • Intimidating for separating employees, which can lead to incomplete or inaccurate responses
  • Time consuming, especially when done in house by HR staff
  • More Costly
Exit Interview Questions