Unconscious bias is a natural human tendency to make judgments based on our own experiences and beliefs. While it is often unintentional, unconscious bias can have a significant impact on the hiring process and can lead to discrimination against certain groups of people. To remove unconscious bias when reviewing candidate resumes, here are a 5 strategies you can try:
1. Use blind resumes
Blind resumes are a valuable tool for eliminating unconscious bias in the hiring process. By removing personal information from a resume, such as a candidate's name, address, or other personal characteristics, it becomes more difficult for reviewers to make judgments based on these factors. This allows the hiring team to focus on the candidate's qualifications and skills, rather than being influenced by potentially irrelevant information.
To conduct a blind resume review, you can either have a separate team review resumes and remove personal information before they are sent to the hiring team, or use software or a tool that automatically removes personal information from resumes. This ensures that all candidates are given a fair and equal opportunity to be considered for the position. Blind resume reviews can help to create a more diverse and inclusive workplace by reducing the influence of unconscious bias in the hiring process.
2. Use a standardized evaluation process
To ensure fairness and objectivity in the hiring process, it's important to develop a set of criteria that all candidates will be evaluated against and to use a consistent evaluation process for all resumes. This can help ensure that all candidates are being judged based on the same standards.
It's also important to provide clear communication to all candidates about the evaluation process and the criteria they will be judged on. This can help to reduce misunderstandings and ensure that all candidates have the opportunity to showcase their skills and qualifications. It's also a good idea to regularly review and update the evaluation criteria to ensure that they are relevant and accurately reflect the needs and goals of the organization.
3. Train your hiring team on unconscious bias
Unconscious bias is a natural human tendency, and it's important to educate your hiring team on the concept and how it can impact the hiring process. One way to do this is by educating and training the hiring team on the concept of unconscious bias and how it can impact their decision-making. This can involve providing resources and guidance on how to recognize and address unconscious bias, as well as encouraging team members to be aware of their own biases and make an effort to overcome them.
4. Seek diverse perspectives
Seeking diverse perspectives is an important aspect of addressing unconscious bias in the hiring process. Assembling a team of reviewers with a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives can help to ensure that a range of viewpoints are taken into account when evaluating candidates.
One way to do this is by assembling a diverse group of reviewers to evaluate resumes and LinkedIn profiles. This can help to eliminate unconscious bias and ensure that a wider range of candidates are considered for open positions. It is important to consider diversity in terms of not just race and ethnicity, but also gender, age, sexual orientation, ability, and other factors that may influence a person's perspective.
5. Use technology to remove bias
There are a number of tools and resources available that can help remove unconscious bias from the hiring process. For example, you can use software that uses artificial intelligence to analyze resumes and identify candidates who are a good fit for the role, regardless of their personal characteristics. Other tools and resources, such as diversity recruitment platforms and unconscious bias training, can also be valuable in eliminating bias and promoting diversity and inclusion.
By implementing these strategies, you can help remove unconscious bias from the hiring process and create a more inclusive and diverse workplace. Remember, it's important to continue to be mindful of unconscious bias and to take steps to eliminate it from all aspects of your business.
