Module 3/4 28 min
Deciding, and the biases involved
Step 1 / 2·Four common biases
0/2 steps done
Learning objectives — after this module you will:
- Recognise the four hiring biases
- Score against criteria rather than impression
- Run a debrief the loudest voice does not dominate
Learn ~12 min
Four common biases
Know which one you are prone to so you can build a guard.
Bias and guard
| Bias | How it shows | The guard |
|---|---|---|
| Similarity | Rating people higher when their background, school or speech resembles yours | Ask: 'if this person were entirely unlike me except in capability, would I score them the same?' |
| First impression | Deciding in the first five minutes, then spending the rest looking for supporting evidence | Score each criterion right after covering it, never a total at the end |
| Halo | One outstanding strength obscuring every weakness | Require at least one unclear or insufficient point to be recorded for every candidate |
| Adjacent comparison | The third candidate looks better only because the second was weak | Score against a predefined absolute scale, never rank relatively within the session |
