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Why well-written interview feedback is important
- Evaluators can structure their thinking, check in with how they feel about a candidate and make a more objective recommendation.
- Written feedback can help answer outstanding questions and fill in gaps in understanding for the hiring panel and leadership.
- Feedback can make a decision on a candidate clearer and easier. Incomplete or poorly written feedback can make it harder to assess a candidate.
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When to write feedback
When you write feedback can affect your perspective and decision on a candidate.
- Feedback should be written within a day of the interview. Ideally a few hours after the sessions.
- Writing feedback directly after a session isn't advised, since it doesn't provide enough time to reflect and process the session.
- Written feedback must be submitted before the Debrief session. Submission helps make Debrief sessions more efficient.
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Feedback is private until the debrief
Sharing feedback (verbally or over Slack/email) in advance of a debrief can bias other interviewers who may not have yet formed a clear POV on a candidate or be on the fence. Even a simple casual comment about a candidate or their presentation in the hallway can send a strong signal to your fellow interviewers and bias their feedback in favor or against hiring the candidate.
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Write consistent, structured feedback
Following a consistent format helps make writing faster and more efficient — you don’t have to write an original custom piece of feedback for each candidate.
A consistent format also helps the hiring panel understand and review the entire feedback packet more effectively. It’s easier to compare and calibrate feedback when everyone uses the same structure.
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What to write
Focus on 5 main areas:
- Writing feedback forces us to make a clear decision on a candidate. If you "Maybe" want to hire someone that’s a sign.
- Provide a concise summary of your decision rationale at the top of the interview scorecard.
- Write a first person description of your experience with the candidate. Write a sentence or short paragraph in plain First-Person language.
- We use the criteria from our article, "What makes a great product designer ..
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Tips
- Write in your voice
- Format your feedback in a clear and structured way, using the suggested framing above
- Provide rationale — don’t assume other readers will automatically know what you mean.
- Cite specific examples whenever possible.
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