COMMON DECISION MAKING FAULTS IN INTERVIEWS AND HOW TO OVERCOME THEM

Fault - Reliance on first impressions
First impressions, either favourable or unfavourable, often bias interviews for or against the applicant and may influence judgement of later information, especially if negative points are raised early in the interview.
Early impressions are formed from the application and the applicant’s appearance and early responses at the interview.
Strategies
  • Ensure applicants are at ease and able to perform at their best.
  • Check your impressions against information from a number of sources before making a final judgement.
  • Be aware of your first impressions and how they may influence your approach to gathering information.

Fault - Halo effect
The interviewer allows one aspect of an applicant’s performance, either favourable or unfavourable, to influence judgement about other aspects.
Most likely to occur where interviewers do not probe and take notes on all relevant aspects of performance, but rely on memory instead.
Strategies
  • Structure interview and reference checks around the selection criteria.
  • Use an effective system of note taking.
  • Summarise after each interview
  • Document information against criteria

Fault - Tendency towards average
Tendency to rate all applicants as average, to avoid making mistakes in judgement.
Strategy
  • Establish quantifiable measures/performance standards for each criterion.
  • Avoid loosely defined rating scales.

Fault- Emphasis on negative information
Research shows that interviews often place more weight on negative information than positive and the interview can end up in a search for weaknesses.
Strategies
  • Consciously look for strengths and weaknesses through questions based on behavioural examples.
  • Suspend judgements until information from various sources is collected.

Fault- Sequence effects
The order in which an applicant is interviewed effects the assessment made.
Strategies
  • Have well established selection criteria.
  • Take notes/assess against each other until final decision stage.
  • Avoid comparing applicants until final decision stage.

Fault - Overemphasis on interview
Endeavouring to obtain information on all criteria from the interview, instead of using a variety of sources. It is well known that the interview is not reliable in assessing some personal abilities or work efficiency and effectiveness.
Strategy
  • Consult at least one other source of information besides the interview.

Fault - Rushed final decision
A hasty decision based on impression may be made instead of fully considering all information methodically.
Strategy
  • Agree on a systematic approach to individual and group decision making early in the selection process.
  • Individual panel members must be prepared to support their own assessments and discuss differences to reach agreement.

January 2015