Hiring
Fixing the Interview Debrief: Where Most Hiring Decisions Go Wrong
October 2, 2025 · 6 min read
The debrief is the highest-stakes 30 minutes in your hiring process. It's also the least structured. Three changes that materially improve decision quality.
The current state
Most debriefs start with 'so… what did you think?' and degrade into whoever is most confident steering the room.
Change 1: Independent ratings before discussion
Every interviewer submits their score and recommendation in writing before the meeting starts. No exceptions.
Change 2: The dissent goes first
If anyone scored below the consensus, they speak first. Otherwise the highest-confidence voice anchors the room.
Change 3: A written decision within 24 hours
The debrief produces a one-paragraph decision rationale that goes into the candidate record. Future hires for this role get to read it. Institutional memory compounds.