The Crucial Role of Standardised, Structured Interviews in Modern Hiring

In the realm of talent acquisition, job interviews are the cornerstone of the hiring process. Almost every organisation, regardless of its size or industry, incorporates interviews to assess potential candidates. Surprisingly, while interviews wield such power, many organisations overlook the importance of training their hiring managers to conduct interviews effectively. This oversight carries grave risks in terms of fairness, accuracy, and, most critically, bias.  

The Reliance on Interviews in Hiring 

Nearly all organisations, from startups to global corporations, rely on interviews as a fundamental component of their recruitment methodology. This isn't a mere assertion; the data paints a clear picture. A study by Indeed revealed that an overwhelming 82% of employers incorporate virtual interviews into their hiring procedures. In some instances, interviews stand as the sole determinants of a candidate's suitability for a role, underscoring their pivotal role in decision-making. 

Nevertheless, despite the omnipresence of interviews, many organisations do not invest sufficiently in training their hiring managers to conduct interviews effectively. CIPD research indicates that just 28% of organisations train interviewers on legal obligations and objective interview practice. This lack of training leads to inconsistent interviewing practices across organisations, which can have dire consequences. 

The Dangers of Inconsistent Interviews: A Breeding Ground for Bias 

Poorly conducted interviews often veer into the realm of subjectivity and prove to be inadequate predictors of job performance. However, the most significant problem at hand lies in interviews being the single greatest source of bias in hiring, particularly when executed in a non-objective manner. Such interviews do not adhere to the clear ORCE methodology (Objective, Reliable, Comprehensive, and Evaluated for Bias) and carefully crafted criteria for assessment, which should be objective and meticulously screened for gender, racial, or other biases. 

This inherent bias within interviews is not justa concern but the largest ethical and legal risk that organisations allow to persist unchecked. When interviews lack objectivity and employ ill-defined assessment criteria, they inadvertently open the door to discrimination and unfairness. Candidates may encounter differing questions, evaluation standards, or even interviewers with varying degrees of familiarity with the job requirements. 

Sova's Interview Builder: A Solution for Efficiency, Consistency, and Ethical Soundness 

This brings us to Sova's Interview Builder. This innovative tool empowers organisations to effortlessly construct standardised, structured interviews, ensuring that every candidate faces an equitable assessment. First and foremost, it streamlines the interview process, relieving hiring managers of the arduous task of developing interview questions and assessment criteria from scratch. This newfound efficiency allows hiring managers to redirect their energy towards other critical aspects of the recruitment process. It also champions consistency. By instituting standardised interviews, organisations can objectively evaluate candidates using the same transparent criteria, thereby mitigating the risk of bias and fostering fairness. This consistency ultimately results in improved hiring decisions and an elevated quality of hire. 

Job interviews stand as a pivotal aspect of the hiring process, yet many organisations fail to recognise the imperative need to standardise and structure them effectively. Poorly executed interviews tend to be subjective and do not yield accurate predictions of job performance. However, the gravest concern is that interviews, when executed in a non-objective manner devoid of the ORCE methodology and thorough bias assessment, perpetuate bias and discrimination. 

Tools like Interview Builder are not just a welcome addition; they are a necessity for organisations committed to ethical, unbiased, and data-driven hiring decisions. In a world striving for inclusivity and fairness, structured interviews are not a choice but an ethical imperative for organisations to navigate the hiring landscape responsibly and successfully.