Second opinions are also great to get - I could be wrong about the person, or maybe we didn't click. I like interviews to be like secret ballots: * write down

Second opinions are also great to get - I could be wrong about the person, or maybe we didn't click. I like interviews to be like secret ballots: * write down what you think about the person without any external influence * then share the information with the other people who interviewed the same person You are right on this - bias can interfere with decision making. A single gatekeeper who makes the wrong decision could be turning away someone fantastic. The hardest thing is saying no to someone you know is great, or is going to be great. It isn't personal - it might be that one of the candidates had 5 more years experience on something that we were really looking for. In this case, if I am working with a recruiter, I always let them know how great the candidate was.