Engineering Manager interview question · Most asked
How do you retain strong engineers?
Summary
By knowing each person's motivations and risk factors through regular 1:1s and stay conversations, and acting before resignations: growth opportunities, recognition, fair pay backed by data, manageable workload and a healthy team.
Longer Answer
A regretted departure can cost close to a year's salary once vacancy, ramp-up, team drag and recruiting are counted — so retention is worth deliberate effort. Gallup reports managers account for up to 70% of the variance in engagement. I track regretted attrition and its causes as a team health metric.
Key Points
- Stay conversations, not just exit interviews
- Act on growth, recognition, pay, workload
- Track regretted attrition
Deep dive: Retention and Regretted Attrition
Explanation
What interviewers look for
Proactive people leadership.
Red flags
- Counter-offers as the main tool
- Treating attrition as bad luck
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