Don’t Wait For The Exit Interview

Do not wait to learn vital information about your employee during the exit interview. Instead, at least once a year after appraisal time, ask these questions.

1. In the next 24 months, where do you want to be living and/or working?
2. In the next 24 months, how do you want your pay to change?
3. If you could leave today, what job would you take?

Start out by telling the employee that you may not be able to achieve what they tell you, but that you want to understand what the future looks like to THEM! Do not ask them how they like their boss or what they think of the organization. Find out what they WANT FOR THEMSELVES.

This information is available today; right now. But we often wait until the exit interview to understand people’s motivation.

I will soon be changing jobs with mixed feelings. The supervisor I am “leaving” always had conversations throughout the year about what I wanted to do and where I wanted to do it. It is very hard to leave that supervisor but a challenge I cannot pass up has presented itself! I enjoyed the organization, but it does not have “the next thing” I need to fuel my career motivations.

This great supervisor talked to me all along and knew what I was searching for. She and I will not need an exit interview.