A stay interview is a one-to-one conversation with an employee who’s staying — not one who’s leaving — to understand what keeps them, what frustrates them, and what might make them go. It’s the opposite of the exit interview: instead of discovering problems once the person already has their bags packed, it catches them in time to act.
You run it with a few open, honest questions: what do you like about working here? What would you change? What would make you think about leaving? The listening has to be real, followed by action — otherwise it backfires.
Why it works
The stay interview is one of the cheapest retention levers: it costs only time and attention, but makes people feel seen and prevents resignations before they harden, reducing turnover. It’s especially effective with Gen Z, who place great value on being heard and on the meaning of their role.
Here we cover it in the context of career growth.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a stay interview?
- A conversation with an employee who's staying, to understand what keeps them and what might push them to leave, so you can act before they resign. It's the opposite of the exit interview.
- How do you run a stay interview?
- With a few open, honest questions (what you like, what you'd change, what would make you leave), real listening and concrete follow-up actions. Without follow-up it backfires.