Dear Claudia,

I hired a senior manager for my company about six months ago, a complete rockstar with heavy industry experience and credibility. It was a big deal that we were able to get her, and she was excited about what she would get to do at our company. She took us all by surprise when she announced she is going back to her old employer last week; we all thought she was a great hire, and nobody saw this coming. How do you know when a hire isn’t working out? And when can I relax because my job as recruiter is finished after the hire?

Really Bummed

Dear RB,

Wow – This one hit where it hurts, doesn’t it? Not only did you lose a good employee, now you also have to go back and fill the position all over again.

If it makes you feel any better, I'm not sure that we can ever fully know what is going on inside of another person. But I do think that there is a window of vulnerability for each new hire when, if we’re not careful to reinforce the deal just made, we do indeed face the possibility of losing them. The trick is in knowing where your hire is standing in that window...


Read the rest of my response and add comments of your own here...

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In my day job, I’m the head of Products for Improved Experience, where we help employers use feedback to measure and manage engagement for competitive advantage in hiring and retention. Learn more about us here.

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