Review the evidence signals before interviewing. Then use the anchored descriptions—not instinct alone—to choose the score that best matches each answer.
01
Evaluation factor
Execution and reliability
35% weight
Check throughput on real titles: InDesign to EPUB3 conversions, ONIX feeds to Ingram or KDP, epubcheck validation passes, and how many titles they shipped per release window.
Evidence to listen for
Describes a workload they owned and how they kept it from slipping
Names the tools and systems they ran day to day
Can talk about volume: tickets, inboxes, orders, uptime
Nothing quietly falls through when they are busy
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
Cannot describe their own workload; things slip without them noticing.
2
Needs Improvement
Handles routine volume; drops work under pressure.
3
Satisfactory
Reliable on steady-state work; struggles when volume spikes.
4
Very Good
Consistently reliable at real volume with a system for staying on top.
5
Excellent
Names title counts, deadlines held against print pub dates, and clean epubcheck plus ONIX ingestion on first submission.
02
Evaluation factor
Improving the process
25% weight
Probe changes they made to the production pipeline: templated InDesign styles, automated XML or Pandoc conversion scripts, metadata QA checklists, or reduced rework on retailer rejections.
Evidence to listen for
Has changed a process rather than only following one
Can name what was slow or error-prone and what they did about it
Documents so the improvement survives them
Knows when a process is worth automating and when it is not
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
Follows instructions only; no sense that process can change.
2
Needs Improvement
Notices problems but escalates rather than solving.
3
Satisfactory
Makes small improvements; impact is local and undocumented.
4
Very Good
Has redesigned a real process with measurable effect.
5
Excellent
Describes a specific automation or template overhaul with before and after figures on turnaround time or rejected files.
03
Evaluation factor
Judgement and autonomy
25% weight
Assess how they handle ambiguity alone: broken reflow on Kindle versus Apple Books, missing alt text, rights or territory restrictions, last-minute price or embargo changes.
Evidence to listen for
Knows what to decide alone and what to escalate
Handles an exception without freezing or improvising recklessly
Protects confidentiality and access appropriately
Asks a clarifying question rather than guessing on something costly
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
Either escalates everything or acts recklessly on their own.
2
Needs Improvement
Needs frequent direction; uneasy with exceptions.
3
Satisfactory
Sound judgement on familiar decisions.
4
Very Good
Clear sense of their own authority; handles exceptions well.
5
Excellent
Decides confidently on accessibility fixes and retailer quirks, escalating rights and embargo questions with a recommendation attached.
04
Evaluation factor
Communication
15% weight
Look for how they brief editorial, design, and sales: change logs on corrected files, retailer takedown requests, explaining WCAG or fixed-layout limits to non-technical colleagues.
Evidence to listen for
Writes clearly enough that people act without a follow-up
Manages expectations before a deadline slips, not after
Handles a frustrated colleague or customer calmly
Works across time zones or async where the role needs it
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
Unclear written communication; goes quiet when things slip.
2
Needs Improvement
Communication needs chasing; raises problems late.
3
Satisfactory
Clear enough day to day; proactive updates are inconsistent.
4
Very Good
Clear, proactive, and calm under pressure.
5
Excellent
Writes plain, traceable updates; translates EPUB and metadata constraints into choices editors and sales teams can act on.
Put this rubric to work
Score every candidate against the same standard
Add these weighted factors to Hirevire and let AI evaluate recorded answers against your rubric.
