How to Conduct an Effective ‘Stay’ Interview

How to Conduct an Effective ‘Stay’ Interview

“What information is critical for your job that you’re not receiving?” A Potential Solution: Assign an employee as a designated fact-finder about topics of need, to be shared with IT team/department.

“What one additional tech or people skill would help you feel better and/or more productive?” A Potential Solution: Arrange for job shadowing with a high-performing peer.

“What IT positions are appealing to you, and why?” A Potential Solution: Direct worker to speak to those with the desired position, and then report back on the five most critical skills required for the job.

“What can you stop doing that won’t be missed?” A Potential Solution: Reassign less-important tasks that don’t really reflect the employee’s skills/role.

“What can you do to make yourself more valuable to our IT department, and therefore worthy of a raise?” A Potential Solution: Check employee’s pay with same-performing peers to verify it’s on target.

“What’s the perfect schedule for you?” A Potential Solution: Consider schedule on trial basis, and evaluate if the staffer’s productivity remains high, and that the new hours don’t impact the work of others.

“Whom must you maintain close relationships with to remain productive? How will you do that while still working from home?” A Potential Solution: Work with employee to identify how to preserve those relationships while telecommuting, while coming up with ways to track whether the arrangement has caused any productivity impact.

“When was the first time you felt uncomfortable?” A Potential Solution: Bring at-odds employees together to reach resolution. If situation persists, move them into different areas.

“Is there a particular decision or event that has prompted your concern?” A Potential Solution: Invite a senior manager to speak at a team meeting, while taking employees’ questions and giving honest answers.

“How do you prefer to be recognized? In public or privately?” A Potential Solution: Focus on the recognition/rewards efforts that inspire the best performance.