Structured Interview Survey

Overcome Bias in Hiring

Organizations frequently rely on intuition and unstructured methods in their hiring interviews, which are prone to biases and overconfidence. Decades of research show that structured interviews, combined with a scoring framework, significantly outperform unstructured formats in predicting employee performance. A clear, objective scoring system ensures consistency, minimizes subjectivity, and provides actionable insights for decision-making.

Structured Interviews in hiring 

Scoring frameworks assign predefined weights to each interview question based on its relevance to job success. For example, questions can be rated on a numerical scale (e.g., 1 to 10), with specific criteria for evaluation. This method allows hiring managers to systematically compare candidates, focusing on how well their responses align with the job’s core requirements. Evaluators score each attribute in real-time, reducing risks of memory biases such as overemphasizing recent or vivid answers.

Structured Interview Survey Template

Analyzing Structured Interview  

Once the scoring is complete, organizations can leverage analytical methods to draw meaningful insights:  

1. Compare Scores Across Candidates: Analyze responses horizontally by evaluating candidates’ scores for the same question or attribute. This ensures a fair comparison and highlights patterns of strength or weakness.  

2. Weight Adjustment: Review the performance of past hires to determine if the current weights assigned to specific attributes (e.g., technical knowledge, leadership skills) align with actual success in the role. Adjust weights based on the role requirements.  

3. Aggregate Scores: Use overall scores to identify top-performing candidates. 

The value of Data-driven decision-making

A scoring framework not only improves hiring accuracy but also fosters transparency and accountability. This method encourages data-driven hiring decisions, reduces subjectivity, and ensures a fair evaluation process. Additionally, analyzing the results allows organizations to continuously improve their recruitment practices, making it a tool for identifying and securing top talent. 

Explore the Structured Interview Dashboard.

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This article is inspired by the following resources:

Bohnet, I. (2016). What works: Gender equality by design. Harvard University Press