In the last phase, trying to decide between two or three, always found it useful to take an applicant out for a simple lunch with one or two colleagues, away from the office. People are more real and revealing off site.
If I were hiring, this is what I'd do. People can look good on paper, know how to clinch an interview, seem interested. But you take them out to lunch and ask them about the job they want - that almost always reveals the real person. I can talk to someone about air conditioning for 10 minutes, and know if they have the goods or are blowing smoke.
Then again, that's a technical job. Might not work for all occupations.