The “Stay Interview”

In the rush of day-to-day business, many small to medium enterprises invest heavily in hiring the right people but overlook one of the simplest tools to keep them, the stay interview.

Unlike an exit interview, which often comes too late, a stay interview is a proactive conversation designed to uncover what motivates your employees to stay, what challenges they’re facing, and what could make their experience even better. It’s a chance to truly listen, understand what drives your team, and take meaningful action before problems escalate.

For employers, the stay interview is a goldmine of insight. It can highlight what’s working well, reveal areas for improvement, and give you a clearer picture of how your team views the business. This leads to better engagement, stronger retention, and more open and honest communication across the board. It also gives leaders a pulse-check on the commercial awareness of their staff and their understanding of how their role contributes to the bigger picture.

Beyond just gathering feedback, the stay interview creates space for a more human-centred approach to performance and goal setting. It lets employees feel heard and valued, and opens the door to tailoring development opportunities that align with both personal and business objectives.

Some great questions to include in a stay interview might be:

“What do you enjoy most about your job?”
“What would make your role more satisfying?”
“Are there any obstacles preventing you from doing your job effectively?”
“What can we do to support your career goals?”

These simple prompts can spark powerful conversations and lead to improvements in culture, productivity, and loyalty.

If you haven’t implemented stay interviews in your business yet, now’s the time to start. They’re low cost, low effort, and high return. And if you need support in building the right approach to retain and engage your team, AimBig Employment is here to help.