Research indicates that the time of day could significantly impact the outcome of a job interview.
A recent study has highlighted the importance of interview timing, suggesting that morning interviews may yield higher ratings. This conclusion arises from the observation that interviewers tend to be more favorable toward candidates they meet earlier in their day. The phenomenon, described as bias, suggests that hiring evaluations might shift based on when the interview takes place.
Olga Rolenko, an organizational psychologist and CEO of an AI startup, explained that this bias was identified through a detailed analysis of thousands of interviews. The data revealed that interviewers using her company’s tools showed a marked tendency to award higher scores to candidates they interviewed in the morning. Datasets of those who conducted at least 20 interviews with these tools consistently supported this finding.
Time-of-day bias is not an absolute determinant, but in competitive job markets, even a small advantage can be significant, especially in sectors such as technology where hiring is currently slow. Rolenko points out that interviewers may naturally be more refreshed in the morning than later in the day, potentially influencing their evaluations.
Interestingly, the study notes that some interviewers adjust their scoring after becoming aware of their inclination to be harsher as the day progresses. Educating interviewers about this tendency and encouraging self-awareness can mitigate its impact. The research aligns with earlier findings from other studies, such as those involving Israeli judges, which showed that decision-making can vary significantly depending on the time of day.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is presented as a potential solution to counteract human biases in hiring processes. Kiki Leutner, cofounder of SeeTalent.ai, advocates for AI-driven interviews. She suggests that AI can provide a more structured and impartial assessment environment, reducing subjective biases often found in traditional interviews.
Eric Mosley, CEO of Workhuman, adds that while data generated by humans is inherently biased, AI systems can be designed to overlook certain biases and focus on removing them. However, he cautions against relying solely on AI without implementing appropriate checks and balances. Ethical oversight is essential to ensure that AI does not perpetuate existing biases inadvertently.
The study invites those involved in hiring to take practical steps to counteract potential biases. Simple actions, such as taking a break before afternoon interviews to rejuvenate, can make a difference. Overall, the research encourages companies to incorporate structured, bias-aware processes in their hiring strategies.
Recognizing and understanding biases in interview timing could be critical in optimizing hiring strategies. Implementing AI solutions alongside self-awareness among interviewers may lead to fairer and more effective recruitment processes.
Source: Businessinsider
