[IPAC-List] Manager-level interviews involving peers or rank-and-file employees

[keith.poole at phoenix.gov]

We (central HR) occasionally get asked by departments to bless "synergy" 
interview panels or discussions with candidates.  Usually this is for a 
management level position, and the department wants to invite all 
employees, or a cross-section of employees, to meet candidates and have 
either structured or unstructured Q&A with that potential manager. Another 
variation:  a panel of the existing, equivalent-level managers in that 
department will interview and assess candidates, potentially picking their 
next coworker/peer. 

The trick seems to be, how do we incorporate their feedback and assessment 
into the overall selection decision, while avoiding hidden agendas.   In 
some cases the synergy panels do seem to reveal fatal flaws.  In other 
cases you get camps rooting for candidate A vs B vs C and everything just 
gets muddy.

Is there an industry term for this type of interview?  Any research or 
suggestions on how this can be a meaningful part of the selection process? 
 

Keith Poole
Human Resources Supervisor
City of Phoenix HR Department
135 N 2nd Ave
Phoenix, AZ  85003
Phone: (602) 262-7140
Fax: (602) 495-5498
Email:  keith.poole at phoenix.gov