This was originally published on Hatch on 15 October 2014. Read Hatching Inside Medium for more context on this collection.

Interview Day Etiquette

• Show up on time.
• Avoid last minute cancellations. If you really need to, help find a replacement.
• Write your feedback as soon as you can.
• Definitely write your feedback before coming to the round-up.
• Be careful talking to other interviewers, feel free to communicate areas to focus on, but try to avoid editorializing concerns and saying anything that can cause them to prejudge the candidate. If you have concerns, talk to the hiring coordinator (Joe or Frances).
• Be open and honest in your feedback. If you don’t feel comfortable explaining an opinion at the round up, write it down in Greenhouse and tell Joe or Frances “I had a concern”.
• Try to minimize assumptions and guessed explanations for behavior or answers. Try to be aware of them during the interview and seek data points and evidence.
• Be resolute in your opinion. Did the person pass your interview? Yes or No? Would you want to work with this person? It’s totally fine if you say Yes but the final decision is to pass. Similarly, you can expect that sometimes you’ll say No and we’ll extend an offer.
• If we hire someone, even though you had concerns, try to give them the benefit of the doubt and allow them to start with a blank slate. Someone obviously saw something in them and we want to set them up for success.