Perhaps the most consistent finding is that interviewers tend to jump to conclusions—make snap during the first few minutes of theinterview. Sometimes this occursbefore the interview starts, based on test scores or résumé data.
Interviewers may not have an accurate picture of the job requirements and what sortof candidate is best suited for it. If that’s the case, they may make their decisions based on incorrectimpressions or stereotypes of what a good applicant is.
Candidate-order error means the order in which you see applicantsaffects how you rate them. There is some indication that the effects of primacy (who you interviewed first) or recency (most recently interviewed) can impact your decisions.
The applicant’s nonverbal behavior can also have a surprisingly large impact on his or her rating. Interviewers infer your personality from your nonverbal behaviors in the interview. Clever candidates capitalize on non-verbal behavior and impression management. One study found that some used ingratiation to persuade interviewers to like them. Psychologists call usingtechniques like ingratiation and self-promotion “impression management.”
Unfortunately, physical attributes such as applicants’ attractiveness, gender, disability, or race also may distort an interviewer’s assessments.
Interviewers may make numerous mistakes such as:
Havingfavorable pre-interview impressions
Playing district attorney or amateur psychologist
Asking improper questions
Being inept