Interview Biases You Might Want To Be Aware Of

Had an interview but did not get a call back? Don’t be hard on yourself. It is possible the interviewer had a bias towards you. Here are some interview biases you might want to be aware of.

Stereotyping Bias:

This is when the interviewer forms an opinion of you based on your religion, race, appearance, gender, or any other type of characteristics. It is advisable to minimize or avoid talks related to any of your characteristics that are not clearly visible.

Negative Emphasis Bias:

This is when the interviewer senses a small amount of negative info from you. Thereby, using it to base the hiring decision off from the info. Truth is, humans are naturally and subconsciously attracted to positivity. Hence, show a more positive side.

First Impression Bias:

This is when your interviewer makes a decision off your first impression (either bad or good) as the first impression eclipse’s your performance through out the interview. As always, in everything, always give a great first impression.

Halo & Horn Bias:

This can either be in your favour or not. Halo is when interviewer lets one positive fact about you override everything else you say /do. The Horn Effect is the opposite and allows a weak fact to influence everything else. Just hope for the best in this case.

Cultural Noise Bias:

This is when the interviewer is able to distinguish between your socially acceptable answer rather than revealing your true opinion about a question. It is always advisable to be professional and not allow your ideologies play in your interviews.

Contrast Effect/ Bias:

This is when the interviewer compares you to a stronger candidate who might have been interviewed before you. Hence, the comparison comes in play affecting the decision on yours. In this case, just always put in your best and be optimistic.

Similar-To-Me Bias:

This, in many cases, always works in your favour. This is when the interviewer sees a similar trait in you that they have. Hence, it affects the decision they make on the interview. You can always research your interviewer in order to influence this.

As long as humans conduct interviews, there will always be biases. That’s why organizations have to continuously orient hiring managers / recruiters and even HR of these interview biases.
Shared by Tunde Omotoye

Also read;
1. Top 10 Good Questions You Should Ask During An Interview
2. 5 Questions To Ask Your Job Interviewer
3. 6 Common Job Interview Questions and Answers

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