Why Subjective Interviews Don't Work and How to Fix It

Interviews are a critical part of the hiring process, but they are often subjective and do not provide an accurate representation of a candidate's skills and suitability for a specific role. Here are some reasons why most interviews are subjective and why that isn't effective.

Lack of Standardization

One of the main reasons why interviews are subjective is that there is a lack of standardization in the process. Interviewers often have their own criteria and methods for evaluating candidates, resulting in inconsistencies in the evaluation process. Without standardized criteria and methods, it is challenging to evaluate candidates objectively.

Unconscious Bias

Unconscious bias is another reason why interviews are subjective. Interviewers may have biases towards candidates who are similar to themselves, resulting in a lack of diversity in the hiring process. Unconscious bias can also lead to the hiring of unsuitable candidates who are similar to the interviewer but may not be the best fit for the role.

Limited Time

Most interviews are also subjective because they are limited in time. Interviewers may not have enough time to evaluate a candidate's skills and suitability for a specific role, resulting in rushed decisions and potentially hiring unsuitable candidates.

Inconsistent Evaluation

Subjective interviews can result in inconsistent evaluation of candidates. Interviewers may have different evaluation criteria or standards, resulting in different opinions about a candidate's suitability for a specific role. This inconsistency can lead to confusion during the hiring process and can result in the hiring of unsuitable candidates.

The Solution: Objective Approaches

To address the problems associated with subjective interviews, companies should consider using more objective approaches such as skills assessments. Skills assessments provide objective data about a candidate's abilities and are not influenced by unconscious bias or inconsistent evaluation. Skills assessments also allow companies to filter out unqualified candidates quickly and evaluate candidates' abilities accurately.

Skills assessments come in various forms, such as multiple-choice tests, coding challenges, or even real-world scenarios. Skills assessments are also customizable, allowing companies to focus on specific skills and evaluate candidates' abilities accurately.

Conclusion

Most interviews are subjective and do not provide an accurate representation of a candidate's skills and suitability for a specific role. A lack of standardization, unconscious bias, limited time, and inconsistent evaluation are common problems associated with subjective interviews. Companies should consider using more objective approaches such as skills assessments to filter out unqualified candidates quickly and evaluate candidates' abilities accurately. If you're interested in learning more about skills assessments and how they can help your company find the right candidate for the job, please schedule a call with one of our experts.