Tips for Conducting the Interview

1.  Create a positive climate. To help the employee relax, it is a good idea to begin the interview with a few minutes of light, easy conversation. Perhaps start with a comment about a recent event at work, a sporting event, or something in the news. Beginning this way helps build rapport with the employee and may help the employee overcome his or her initial nervousness.

2.  Ask questions. In order to be effective and of value, the employee must be encouraged to talk. Many employees are hesitant about participating in an annual review, feeling that it is their supervisor’s job to determine their ratings and their job to accept the ratings without question. Using open-ended questions such as, “Will you tell me ...

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