ContactOut’s Definitive Guide to Evaluating Interviews With Rubrics And Feedback

Navigating the beginning stages of hiring can be a bit challenging. The key to bridging the gap between a candidate’s resume and their actual capabilities? A structured interview. This chapter demystifies hiring rubrics, ensuring you’re primed to develop and implement them efficiently.


What will you learn by the end of this guide? 🎓

  • The essence and significance of a structured interview rubric.
  • Steps to design, implement, and refine your interview rubric.
  • Tailoring rubrics to resonate with specific roles and organizational needs.

Why is it important? 💡

A well-structured interview rubric is the cornerstone of fair and effective hiring. It ensures clarity, consistency, and a bias-free evaluation, setting the stage for recruiting top-tier talent.


Here’s the step-by-step guide: 🔍

Using TMC’s Hiring Rubric Template

1. Establish Clear Objectives 🎯

First and foremost, identify the core purpose of the interview. For a software engineer, are we focusing on coding skills, problem-solving abilities, or both? Ensure your rubric aligns with these aims.

2. Detail the Competencies 🧠

List down the skills and qualities your ideal software engineer should exhibit. Organize these under categories: ‘knowledge’, ‘skills’, and ‘attributes’.

Image source: hepeakperformancecenter.com

3. Decide on a Grading Mechanism 🔢

Whether you prefer a numerical scale (1-4) or descriptive labels (from “Below Average” to “Outstanding”), consistency and clarity are key. For “Algorithmic Understanding”, a ‘4’ might be labelled as “solidly meets the criteria”.

4. Provide Clear Criteria 🖊️

For each competency, provide detailed descriptors to assist the evaluation process.

Here’s what it could look like for a software engineer role:


Next steps:

Trial and Refine 🔄

Before a full rollout, test your rubric on a handful of sample interviews. After assessing some software engineers, collate feedback and make the necessary adjustments.

Align Rubrics with Your Organization’s Needs 🏢

Each organization has its distinct ethos, and hence, its specific hiring nuances. While a foundational rubric can guide you, tailoring it to your organization’s characteristics is vital.

Tailor to Fit 🎨

A standard template can initiate the process, but customize it to resonate with distinct roles. For instance, a software engineer’s expectations in a startup might differ from those in an established firm.

Collaborate with Leaders 🤝

Engage with tech team leaders to discern their priorities for software engineer candidates. Their input can significantly enhance the rubric.

Conduct Informative Sessions 📣

Organize workshops to introduce your team to the new rubrics. Utilizing tangible scenarios, such as evaluating a software engineer’s coding prowess, can help illustrate the assessment process.

Regular Updates 🔄

With the tech landscape continually evolving, it’s imperative to keep your software engineer rubrics current. And always encourage feedback; the shared experiences can greatly improve your rubric strategy.

👋 Each organization has its distinct ethos and hence, its specific hiring nuances. While a foundational rubric can guide you, tailoring it to your organization’s characteristics is vital.


Further resources 📚:


⬅️ Back to Recruitment Mastery Hub