Search jobs now Find the right job type for you Explore how we help job seekers Contract talent Permanent talent Interim management Learn how we work with you Executive search Finance and accounting Technology and IT Risk and compliance Digital, marketing and creative Administrative and office support Legal Human resources Technology Risk, audit and compliance Finance Digital, marketing and customer experience Legal Operations Human resources Salary Guide Towards the C-Suite 2035 Jobs Confidence Index Shaping the future of finance Press room Salary and hiring trends Future of work Flexible working Work-life balance Diversity, equity and inclusion Browse jobs Find your next hire Our locations
Confidently hiring the right person feels great, and a little structure goes a long way in making sure you hire the best candidate. In this article, we’ll explore how to assess a candidate’s response with purpose, giving you the tools to confidently assess and compare applicants. From analysing an interview to using an effective interview evaluation sheet and a clear scoring system, these steps will help ensure your interview assessment is consistent, fair and effective. The goal is simple: to make it easier to hire the right candidate every time.

Why interview evaluation matters

When everyone on your hiring team agrees on the candidate criteria that matter most, the decision-making process becomes much more reliable. A structured evaluation process reduces the risk of bias, ensuring that every applicant is measured against the same benchmarks. This consistency benefits both the interviewer and the candidate. For hiring managers, it creates a smoother, more transparent process. For candidates, it signals that you value their time, their effort and their potential contribution. A strong interview assessment ultimately sets you up to make better hiring decisions that lead to long-term success.

Analysing an interview: what to pay attention to

When analysing an interview, it’s important to focus on both what a candidate says and how they say it. On the content side, assess whether their responses align with your candidate criteria such as technical expertise, problem-solving ability, adaptability, and teamwork skills. On the delivery side, consider their communication style, body language and overall presence. Are they clear and confident in their tone? Do they show genuine enthusiasm? Do they remain engaged and responsive throughout the conversation? You don’t need to overanalyse body language, but observing how candidates present themselves can offer valuable clues about their suitability for the role and your company culture. Related: Strategic second interview questions to ask candidates

A practical interview evaluation sheet

One of the most effective ways to keep your hiring process consistent is to use a structured interview evaluation sheet. Below is a practical, ready-to-use example that you can adapt for your own needs. This interview scoring system allows you to rate each candidate on key areas and add relevant notes, making post-interview comparisons straightforward. Create one sheet per candidate so you can review each application side by side with confidence.  

Why this scoring system works

Using an interview scoring system ensures that each candidate is measured in a fair and consistent way. It allows you to capture your impressions in the moment, rather than relying solely on memory, which can fade or become biased over time. It also helps make your reasoning transparent to other members of the hiring team, especially when hiring decisions involve multiple stakeholders. Most importantly, it speeds up the process of identifying the strongest applicants because all the relevant information is captured in one place. Related: Informal interview questions to bring out the best in candidates

Hiring the right person

A well-designed interview evaluation sheet turns candidate assessment from a subjective impression into a structured, reliable process. By combining a focus on both the content and delivery of responses with a clear interview scoring system, you can make confident, informed hiring decisions. Your interview assessment will be more consistent, your comparisons more accurate, and your chances of hiring the right candidate far greater. And when you consistently bring in the right people, you’re not just filling roles - you’re building a stronger, more successful team. Related: How to onboard a new employee

Looking to continue learning about best-practice hiring processes? Visit our hiring insights hub for in-depth whitepapers, reports, and articles. If you’re looking for top talent to add to your team, list your vacancy or get in touch with our experts.