👉 1st White Paper on the digitization of plant operational management 👈
March 28, 2023

Individual interviews connected to the field

Annual appraisal interviews have become standard practice in modern companies, enabling employees' skills to be assessed, objectives to be set for the year ahead, and individual motivation and commitment to be improved. These formal face-to-face meetings between an employee and his or her direct line manager are considered an essential management tool for HR. Although not mandatory under the French Labor Code, annual performance reviews may be required by collective bargaining agreements, and their implementation must be discussed with the company's Social and Economic Committee.

It's important to distinguish between the individual interview and the mandatory professional interview, which takes place every two years. While the purpose of the individual interview is to assess the employee's skills and set objectives for the coming year, the professional interview focuses exclusively on the employee's career development and training needs.

I. The advantages of individual interviews connected to the field

individual interviews

One-on-one interviews connected to the field offer many benefits for both employers and employees. Discover the major benefits of this practice here:

A. In-depth knowledge of field activities:

One-to-one interviews connected to the field give employers a deeper understanding of the activities carried out by their teams in the field. Through these exchanges, employees can express the challenges they face, describe their tasks and outline the problems they have solved. This enlightened view of field activities enables employers to grasp operational issues, make relevant decisions and develop strategies in line with the reality on the ground.

B. Strengthening communication between employers and employees:

These discussions significantly improve communication between employers and employees. Employees can share their concerns, ideas and suggestions without constraint. At the same time, employers can offer constructive advice on employees' achievements, guide them towards the company's priorities and encourage them to optimize their performance. Effective communication creates a serene working environment and stimulates collaboration within teams.

C. Setting achievable goals :

They promote the definition of relevant and achievable goals for employees. Employers have the opportunity to assess employee performance, identify areas for improvement and set clear goals for achieving the desired results. Employees, for their part, can set out their personal ambitions and discuss with their employer the methods for achieving them. Setting appropriate, achievable goals stimulates employee motivation, promotes increased performance and leads to the overall success of the organization.

D. Constant performance monitoring:

It's an opportunity to monitor employee performance regularly and accurately. Employers can measure employee progress against set objectives, identify successes and challenges, and provide feedback on overall performance. This constant assessment enables employers to reward employees' efforts, rectify mistakes and ensure that objectives are met on time. What's more, employees benefit from ongoing feedback on their work, and receive the right support to optimize their performance.

II. The challenges of individual interviews connected to the field

Individual interviews connected to the field can be a crucial lever for employers and employees, but they can also generate various difficulties. Here are some commonly encountered challenges during these interviews:

  • Preparation: Effective preparation for a personal interview can be complex for both employer and employee. The employer needs to spend time gathering information about the employee, reviewing past performance and considering future goals. Similarly, the employee needs to be prepared to talk about his or her achievements, performance and career ambitions.
  • Follow-up: Individual interviews are only really effective if they lead to concrete action. The employer must ensure that clear, measurable objectives are set, and monitor the employee's progress over time.
  • Subjectivity: Performance appraisals can be influenced by the employer's subjectivity, depending on his or her perceptions, personal experience and own biases. It is crucial for employers to be aware of their own subjectivity, and to put measures in place to ensure an objective assessment of employee performance.
  • Conflict management: Differences of opinion between employee and employer regarding past performance or future expectations can lead to conflict. It is essential that the employer knows how to manage these differences constructively, and find common ground that suits both parties.

In short, one-to-one interviews can be a valuable tool for optimizing performance and communication. However, they can also pose a number of challenges. Employers and employees need to work together to overcome these obstacles and ensure a positive and fruitful one-to-one experience.

III. Why digitize your individual interviews: The 5 benefits you can't miss

Annual reviews are an essential part of human resources management. However, their organization and follow-up can be tedious and time-consuming. But did you know that digitizing interviews can help you optimize this process? Here are 5 benefits you can't miss by adopting a digital solution like Mercateam:

Increase efficiency: launch your interview campaign in just a few clicks, and track its progress in real time. With an intuitive management solution, employees can prepare their interviews directly in the application, without wasting time and paper.

Enhance your employees' experience: thanks to a digital safe and a comprehensive employee dashboard, employees can access their interview history and track their progress. They'll feel listened to and valued, which will boost their motivation and commitment.

Optimize manager productivity: schedule your employee interviews directly in the solution, saving time and increasing efficiency. You'll be able to concentrate on more important tasks and support your teams in their development.

Centralize and analyze data: By digitizing your interviews, you can centralize all the data from these exchanges. This will allow you to better understand the needs of your employees and to build a skills development plan adapted to their needs.

Foster an employee-centric corporate culture: Providing a quality experience for your employees and managers is essential to building an employee-centric corporate culture. By fostering their commitment, motivation and loyalty, you'll enhance your company's image and appeal.

Digitizing individual interviews is a strategic choice that will enable you to optimize your human resources management process. So don't wait any longer to get started and take advantage of all these benefits!

IV. Conclusion:

In conclusion, annual performance reviews are a key moment in your company's human resources management. They provide an opportunity to take stock of past achievements, discuss future projects and address professional development opportunities for each employee.

However, for these interviews to be effective, good preparation and a constructive approach are essential. It is also important to set up regular follow-up to ensure that the objectives set are achieved, and to encourage employees' professional development.

With Mercateam, you can now organize professional appraisal interviews easily and efficiently. Our solution enables you to prepare the interview, assess your employees' skills and performance, discuss their aspirations and career plans, and put in place concrete action plans for their development.

So don't hesitate to adopt the Mercateam solution to make your annual appraisal interviews more productive and constructive than ever! Your employees will come away feeling motivated and fulfilled, and this will help reinforce your company's positive image.