Before an employee is even brought on board, the likelihood of retention already has begun. Some employers make the mistake of giving a false image of the role, corporate culture and expectations, but an employer can improve the odds of retention simply by providing a realistic job preview while hiring, says Elise Freedman, director in talent management for Towers Watson, a global professional services company in New York City.

 "With a realistic job preview, it's about making sure that everybody in the process – from the recruiter on through the other folks interviewing the candidate – understands the job and how the corporate culture would impact the role," Freedman says. "When the individual gets there and the reality matches what was communicated, you have a much stronger likelihood of being able to retain someone longer."

Freedman recommends that employers follow a structured hiring process that focuses on behaviors. To do this, the hiring manager should identify what the organization values and some of the key behaviors for the particular role. Once those are established, the hiring manager can tailor specific questions during the interview that would evaluate the job candidate's ability to meet those requirements.