Which of the following interview types is used primarily for evaluating candidates at the point of hiring?

A panel interview is specifically designed to assess candidates during the hiring process. It involves a group of interviewers who collectively evaluate an applicant's qualifications, skills, and fit for the position. This format allows for diverse perspectives from multiple interviewers, which can lead to a more comprehensive evaluation of the candidate's abilities and potential contributions to the organization. The presence of various stakeholders in the panel often helps in creating a balanced assessment, allowing different elements of the candidate's profile—such as technical skills, interpersonal skills, and alignment with company culture—to be thoroughly explored.

Other interview types, like the exit interview, focus on gathering feedback from employees who are leaving the organization and do not pertain to the hiring process. A reference interview involves speaking with individuals who can vouch for a candidate's past performance but occurs after the initial candidate evaluation and is not part of the hiring interview process itself. Lastly, a performance interview typically assesses an employee's ongoing performance rather than evaluating candidates for a new position. Thus, the panel interview is uniquely suited for hiring evaluations, making it the correct choice.