The 7-Second Rule of Interview: Myth or Reality?

Yesterday, I came across a theory from a comment suggesting that a recruiter could determine whether a candidate passes or fails an interview within the first 7 seconds. Does anyone agree with this?

Personally, I must admit that I am grateful to the person who coined this theory. It almost implies that we recruiters possess the remarkable ability to gauge someone's career in just 7 seconds! ??

But if I reflect on my own experiences, it seems to me that recruiters generally need more than just a split-second impression to decide if a candidate is suitable for the next stage.

Here are some key points recruiters typically consider:

1. Work Experience. While it's true that a candidate’s work history can be summarized in their CV, when discussing work experience, even two individuals with identical work tenures can describe vastly different job responsibilities and experiences. Recruiters need to analyze the depth of the candidate’s work and the scope of their responsibilities in previous roles.
2. Technical Skills. Some positions require candidates to be experts in specific technical fields or technologies, and sometimes even require certifications. It's crucial for recruiters to understand the extent of the candidate's proficiency in these areas.
3. Skills and Potential. In addition to technical skills, recruiters also need to evaluate a candidate's inherent abilities. For example, how they communicate, how they lead, and how they handle work pressure. While this may seem like a classic approach, it is essential to ensure that candidates who move to the next stage are capable or have the potential to handle the challenges of the role.
4. Supporting Information. Before deciding if a candidate is fit for the next stage, it's also important for recruiters to gather additional information about the candidate outside of their direct job qualifications. Such as: Where do they live? What is their current salary and benefits package? What kind of work environment are they comfortable to work with? These factors can influence a recruiter’s decision-making process.

While some recruiters might streamline the interview process to make it shorter and more effective, I believe that a decision made in 7 seconds is a bit of a stretch. Personally, I still have much to learn before I could confidently say that I possess such refined judgment.

Cheers to all the interviewer and interviewee out there! ??