Employee Interview

Also known as: Personnel Interview

The employee interview—also referred to as a personnel interview—is a key tool in corporate human resources research and employee management. It represents a structured form of communication between supervisors and employees, serving multiple purposes such as performance evaluation, career development, feedback, and problem-solving.

Employee interviews contribute to collaborative leadership and are central to fostering open communication, supporting personnel development, and informing HR decision-making.
See also → performance appraisal, career planning, and management by objectives.

Key Types of Employee Interviews

Management Interview

A regular discussion that reflects on the quality of collaboration between supervisor and employee. It functions as a two-way communication channel, allowing for both recognition and constructive criticism.

Appraisal Interview

This interview is part of the broader performance appraisal process. It can take two forms:

• Traditional: The manager communicates the appraisal results to the employee.

• Participatory: The employee shares a self-assessment, which is then compared with the manager’s view, potentially leading to a jointly agreed outcome.

According to the Works Constitution Act in Germany, employees may request a review of their performance assessment or career development opportunities, with the option to involve a works council representative.

Counseling and Development Interview

Initiated either by the employee or the supervisor:

• Employee-initiated: Seeks advice on personal work-related issues.

• Supervisor-initiated: Focuses on identifying the employee’s skills and potential for future development. This form of interview supports employee-oriented career planning.

Goal-Setting Interview

A core component of management by objectives (MbO). This interview involves:

• Setting or agreeing on measurable goals

• Reviewing goal achievement and performance conditions

• Evaluating progress and discussing any deviations

Goal-setting interviews are often integrated into performance management and variable compensation systems.

Problem-Solving Interview

A structured conversation aimed at identifying and resolving work-related issues, whether related to performance or team dynamics.

Exit Interview

Conducted when an employee is about to leave the organization or a specific department. These interviews—often carried out by a neutral party—aim to uncover underlying reasons for turnover and identify areas for organizational improvement.

Salary Interview

Can take two forms:

• Supervisor-led: Informing the employee of a non-standard salary increase and the rationale behind it.

• Employee-led: A discussion initiated by the employee to negotiate a raise or review compensation.

Best Practices

Different interview types require different approaches and levels of formality. Factors such as tone, structure, confidentiality, and preparation significantly influence the effectiveness of each conversation.