Candidate Info
Include full legal name, contact information, address, and any required identity verification details. Attach resume version, application source, and background-check authorization status to link the interview to the applicant record.
Documenting interviews reduces bias, improves consistency, and provides a verifiable record for internal review and regulatory compliance. A clear Employment Interview Record helps HR track candidate progress, justify decisions, and respond to discrimination or records requests with documented evidence.
Typical users who prepare or review Employment Interview Records include hiring managers, HR professionals, and legal or compliance staff.
Keep records accessible to authorized reviewers and retain them according to company policy and legal requirements.
Primary authority to evaluate candidates and sign the interview record when attesting to interview content. Hiring managers provide substantive evaluation, recommend employment actions, and are responsible for accurate, job-related documentation of interviews to support selection and defend hiring decisions.
HR custodians maintain interview records, set retention schedules, manage access controls, and produce documents for audits or external requests. They coordinate redaction, legal holds, and ensure records are stored in compliant systems with appropriate encryption and audit logs.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Signers List | Order: interviewer then HR |
| Authentication | Email link or SMS code |
| Notifications | Auto reminders at set intervals |
| Storage | Archive to HR folder or cloud |
Ensure the signing platform supports secure storage, audit trails, signer authentication, and role-based access controls for HR reviewers.
Give records to authorized requestors promptly; no fixed federal deadline
Typically supply records within 30 days of an EEOC request
Keep I-9s three years after hire or one year after termination (8 CFR §274a.2)
Preserve related records until statute of limitations expires, typically two to six years
Purge per policy only after retention period and legal hold checks
Include full legal name, contact information, address, and any required identity verification details. Attach resume version, application source, and background-check authorization status to link the interview to the applicant record.
Record date, time, format (phone, video, in-person), interviewer names and roles, and job requisition identifiers. Note any reasonable accommodation requests or deviations from the standard process for audit purposes.
Use a consistent scoring rubric tied to job-critical competencies. Record scores for each area and include short behavioral examples to substantiate ratings for future reviewers and compliance audits.
Capture verbatim candidate responses when possible and summarize observations. Specific examples reduce ambiguity and strengthen the defensibility of hiring decisions during internal or external challenges.
Summarize hire, hold, or reject recommendation with rationale linked to scoring and role requirements. List agreed next steps, offer deadlines, and assigned owner for follow-up.
Include document version, preparer name, system timestamps, and any redactions or privacy flags. Metadata ensures authenticity, chain of custody, and simplifies searches during audits professionally.
Brian Fitzgibbons, COO at Optica Ventures, describes using structured interview records to standardize candidate assessment and accelerate decision timelines across small teams.
Kodi-Marie Evans, Director of NetSuite Operations at Xerox, links structured interview records to HR systems to ensure signatures and records align with applicant files across integrations.
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | HelloSign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo | $19/user/mo | $15/user/mo |
| Free Trial | 7-day trial | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |
| Bulk Send | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Envelope Cap | No cap | 100 envelopes/user/year | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |
Confirm candidate availability and interview logistics.
Document answers, scores, and notable examples immediately after interview.
HR verifies completeness and flags issues for legal review.
Store finalized record in secure system and apply retention tags.
| Document Type | Employment Interview Record | Offer Letter |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | evaluation record | employment agreement intent |
| Signature Needed | optional or reviewer sign | required by candidate |
| Retention | 3–7 years typical | at least 3 years post hire |
| Legal Risk | eeo exposure risk | contractual obligations |