Careers Advice Blog

25 surprising hiring biases which are backed by science

No comments

Everyone is guilty of judging a book by its cover. As much as you think you might not do it, scientific research has shown that humans tend to come to snap judgements about people after only a few seconds of meeting them—sometimes even shorter! There are several hiring biases which are backed by science.

Whether it is a personal relationship like dating, or professional like trying to get a job, these first impressions can mean a lot for people. Research has found that in the blink of an eye – 100 milliseconds – we make assumptions about a person’s attractiveness, likeability, competence, trustworthiness and aggressiveness.

When we make these judgements, it can be hard to break them. Sometimes, they are reinforced subconsciously after we make them. So, when it comes time for you to go into a job interview, this can prove to be devastating if the interviewer has made a decision about you before you even set foot into the interview room.

It gets even worse when people start looking at names on a paper. Research has also shown that people with ‘common’ names will get called in for an interview more than those with ‘uncommon’ names.

The clothes that we wear can also directly affect how people view us. People can assume qualities of wealth and success solely based on clothing or shoes. However, for women wearing masculine clothing, it can make them appear aggressive, according to one study. Even wearing a watch can make someone think that you are more conscientious.

A firm handshake can make or break your interview. It is found that those with a solid shake while looking the interviewer in the eye can help increase their chances of getting the job – and even more so for women.

Hiring biases which are backed by science

Do you know of any other hiring biases which are backed by science? Let us know in the comments below.

Career Camel25 surprising hiring biases which are backed by science

Related Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *