Stay Interviews – What Are They and Are They a Good Idea for Your Company?

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You’ve probably heard of the exit interview, where a human resources manager sits down with an employee who is leaving with the goal of understanding their motivations and to see if there’s room for improvement in the company. But what if you could have that valuable conversation with your current employees, the ones who aren’t thinking about leaving? You can, if you hold a stay interview!

What is a stay interview?

A stay interview is a tool to help you keep your top talent. It’s essentially an exit interview without the exit. By asking your current employees how fulfilled they feel and how happy they are, you can build a better workplace without having to watch someone walk out the door first. Taking the time to sit down with your employees lets them know that they’re valued, and it gives them the opportunity to offer you feedback.

How do I conduct a stay interview?

Think back to your last hiring interview, because many of the same rules apply. You want to avoid asking closed-ended questions, as the answers you receive won’t reveal much. (Instead of, “Are you happy in your job?” you need to dig deeper with questions like, “Do you have talents that you feel like you aren’t using in the office?” or, “If you could change one thing about your job, what would it be?”) You want to listen more than you talk. You want to be engaged so that your employee feels that they’re being heard.

How do stay interviews help my company?

You may be wondering if it’s worth taking the time to conduct stay interviews in your office. It is, completely, and here’s why: retention. You want to hold on to your employees, especially the great ones. If a top employee doesn’t feel valued at your company, it’s relatively easy for them to find a place where they are. (And their new employer could very well be a company you’re in direct competition with.) Finding new talent takes a great deal of time and money. Keeping the talent you have happy may be work, but it’s easier in the long run.

Are you looking for more ways to build a great workplace? Partnering with a staffing specialist at Burnett’s Staffing is a great first step on the journey to a better company. Get in touch with us today!

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