This CV just isn't right for me...
Matt Heather
Director of Talent Acquisition at Reed, leading attraction and recruitment and hiring great people to work at Reed
Did you know that we all suffer from unconscious bias?
Unconscious bias can be defined as a bias that we are unaware of, and which happens outside of our control. It happens automatically and is due to the brain making quick evaluations of people and situations. This is influenced by our individual backgrounds and personal experiences.
Studies by psychologists reveal that all it takes is a tenth of a second to form an impression of a stranger just from their face and, interestingly, longer exposures do not significantly alter those initial impressions, although they might increase confidence in your initial judgement.
If you're a hiring manager who forms firm opinions based on a CV, or what someone looks like, I recommend that you interview with a colleague and think twice before turning down an opportunity to interview a candidate. I say this because not only could you be missing out on your next top performer but also consider your impact on the candidate experience and, in turn, the impact on your Employer Brand.
Managing Director at Rainbow HR
7 年Hi Matt Heather, hope you are well, "....If you're a hiring manager who forms firm opinions based on a CV....," do you me an opinion on whether the person fits what you are recruiting for or some other opinion?. Most roles ask for a CV first in order to evaluate the skills the person possesses against the requirements of the role. Not sure this is unconscious bias, more recognition that the fish filleter in Aberdeen does not posses the skills and qualifications for the Insurance Underwriter (and vice versa of course) role you advertised or am I missing the point? Re video, was just talking about that with a client today, there is much more likelihood of bias (intentional or unconscious) when they see a video.
247 Monitored Protection Ltd, also previously worked for Brit Fire & Security ;Secure Home Systems Ltd - (my last completed executive job).
8 年I liked the post on 'This CV isn't right for me', it is an encouraging note...
Director of Talent Acquisition at Reed, leading attraction and recruitment and hiring great people to work at Reed
9 年Thanks Sarah and Anthony. Anthony, the point you make about telephone interviews is an interesting one and I agree that this has helped us with our recruitment at REED. There's a growing use of video interviews within selection processes and I wonder what positive and negative impact this has on the outcome. No doubt, in some instances, it removes some assumptions a hiring manager might make and I wonder whether it just replaces these with a differing set of assumptions both positive and negative...
Helping business owners, leaders and people managers to inspire and develop their teams
9 年Great advice Matt. Telephone interviews are also a great way of getting to know someone without judging them on appearance. Plus it might save you some time if they don't perform well over the phone
Talent Acquisition Leader
9 年Great bit of advice Matt.