How can you avoid jumping to conclusions during an interview?

1 Be aware of your own biases

We all have implicit or explicit biases that influence how we perceive and interpret information. These can be based on factors such as age, gender, race, culture, education, appearance, or personality. Biases can affect how we judge someone's qualifications, fit, or potential. To avoid jumping to conclusions based on biases, try to be aware of your own preferences and prejudices, and challenge them with evidence and feedback. Seek diverse perspectives and opinions from others, and avoid stereotyping or generalizing candidates.

2 Ask open-ended questions

One way to avoid jumping to conclusions is to ask open-ended questions that encourage candidates to share more details, examples, or stories. Open-ended questions start with words like what, how, why, or tell me. They allow candidates to express themselves in their own words, and reveal their motivations, skills, and achievements. They also give you an opportunity to probe deeper, clarify, or follow up on any points of interest or concern. Avoid asking yes-or-no questions, leading questions, or multiple questions that may confuse or limit candidates.

3 Listen actively and attentively

Active listening is a key skill for interviewing, as it shows respect, interest, and understanding. Active listening involves paying attention to what the candidate is saying, as well as how they are saying it. It also involves using verbal and non-verbal cues to indicate that you are listening, such as nodding, smiling, or saying "mm-hmm" or "I see". Active listening also means avoiding distractions, interruptions, or judgments that may interfere with your focus. Avoid multitasking, checking your phone, or looking at your notes while the candidate is speaking.

4 Paraphrase and summarize

Another way to avoid jumping to conclusions is to paraphrase and summarize what the candidate has said. Paraphrasing means repeating what the candidate has said in your own words, to check for understanding and accuracy. Summarizing means highlighting the main points or themes that the candidate has covered, to review and confirm what you have learned. Paraphrasing and summarizing can help you avoid misinterpretations, misunderstandings, or gaps in information. They can also help you show empathy, appreciation, and rapport with the candidate.

5 Seek feedback and reflection

Finally, to avoid jumping to conclusions, it is important to seek feedback and reflection after the interview. Feedback can come from other interviewers, colleagues, or mentors who can offer different perspectives, insights, or suggestions. Feedback can help you identify any biases, errors, or areas of improvement in your interviewing skills. Reflection can help you evaluate your own performance, feelings, and impressions of the interview. Reflection can help you recognize any assumptions, expectations, or emotions that may have influenced your conclusions.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?