A panel interview only works when it is planned. Without structure, three interviewers ask overlapping questions, take three sets of half-notes, and reach the debrief with nothing to compare. This checklist walks recruiters and hiring managers through planning, running, and debriefing a fair, structured panel interview. Recording the session with CraftNote gives the whole panel one shared, speaker-labeled transcript and summary, so feedback is grounded in what was actually said instead of scattered impressions.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Panelists asking overlapping questions because competencies were never divided up in advance.
- Relying on three sets of half-notes, so the debrief argues over what the candidate actually said.
- Letting the most senior panelist speak first and anchor everyone else's ratings before scores are logged.
- Skipping candidate consent before recording, or ignoring local law and company policy on capturing interviews.
- Ending without a documented rationale, leaving no defensible record of why the panel decided as it did.