T3 · Trunk

Structured interviewing

Same questions, same order, same rubric — the single habit that makes hiring fair, repeatable, and defensible.

14 min Transcript available

Key takeaways

  • Same questions, same order, every candidate
  • Off-limits topics stay off-limits even if the candidate raises them
  • Score against the rubric, not against the other candidates
  • Take notes during, not after

The single highest-leverage habit in hiring is the structured interview: the same questions, in the same order, scored against a rubric you wrote before you met any candidate.

It feels formal at first. It produces better hires and bulletproof documentation.