A well-designed interview helps ensure consistency, fairness, and meaningful comparisons between candidates. Preparing in advance allows the panel to focus on the information that matters most for the role.
Start With the Job
- Review the job description and posting to identify the most important responsibilities.
- Determine the key competencies or skills required for success in the role (technical skills, leadership, communication, problem-solving, etc.).
- Focus interview questions on areas that will help assess those competencies.
Use Structured Questions
- Ask the same core questions of every candidate to ensure consistency.
- Include a mix of:
- Behavioral questions (Tell us about a time when…)
- Situational questions (How would you handle…)
- Role-specific questions related to the position’s responsibilities.
Build a Thoughtful Interview Panel
- Include panel members who:
- Understand the role and its responsibilities
- Bring different perspectives
- Will interact with or support the position
- Assign roles if helpful (lead interviewer, note taker, question areas).
Create an Interview Guide
Provide each panelist with:
- Job description
- Job posting
- Candidate application and resume
- Interview questions
- Candidate evaluation form
- Space for notes
This helps keep interviews consistent and ensures evaluations focus on the same criteria.
Plan the Interview Flow
A typical interview structure may include:
- Welcome and introductions
- brief overview of the role and department
- Interview questions from the panel
- Time for candidate questions
- Explanation of next steps
Align on Evaluation Criteria
Before interviews begin:
- Review the scoring or evaluation form
- Agree on what strong, acceptable, and weak responses might look like
- Focus evaluations on job-related factors
Consistency in preparation helps create a fair experience for candidates and provides better information for hiring decisions.
