How do interview scheduling buffers work in Pinpoint, and how can they be configured?

Interview Buffers are protected time gaps that are automatically added before and/or after a scheduled interview, to give interviewers breathing room between back-to-back meetings.

For example When an interviewer sets a buffer ofsay, 15 minutes, Pinpoint will block out 15 minutes on their calendar before and after any interview scheduled through the platform. So if an interview runs 2:00–3:00 PM with a 15-minute buffer after, the next interview can't start until 3:15 PM. Buffers can overlap.

When interview slots are generated from your calendar availability, buffers are automatically applied. For instance, if a candidate books a 1:00 PM slot and the interview lasts 45 minutes, the next available slot will account for the 15-minute buffer. This ensures that the next slot starts no earlier than 2:00 PM, depending on your availability.

If you manually define interview slots, the buffer will not be enforced. Manually created slots can start immediately after another event, bypassing the buffer. This allows for greater flexibility but requires careful planning to avoid scheduling conflicts or insufficient breaks.

To enable buffers, configure them in your Personal settings > Availability > Settings. Specify the desired buffer duration (e.g., 15 minutes) to ensure that all automatically generated slots include the gap.

For manually created slots, you need to insert the buffer time yourself. This can be done by spacing out the slots to include the desired gap. For example, if one interview ends at 1:45 PM, schedule the next slot to start at 2:00 PM to include a 15-minute break.

By understanding and effectively using buffers, you can create a smoother and more efficient interview scheduling process in Pinpoint.