← Back

Hiring the Best Fit

Executive Summary

As the hiring manager, I tackled the cumbersome and bias-prone hiring process by implementing operational improvements. Through the introduction of blind screening questions and a structured panel interview process, I aimed to reduce bias and enhance efficiency. The impact includes reduced bias through anonymization of applicants and increased efficiency within existing organizational process constraints.

Problem

Hiring is time-consuming, slowed by internal red tape, and negatively affected by bias.

My Role

Hiring manager, coordinator, decision-maker, created operational improvements

Process

  • HR screening by in-house recruiter (standard process)
  • Hiring manager reviews resumes and portfolios to filter "no"s
  • Those who pass proceed through next steps:
    • --> Three-question blind screening survey
      • --> First phone interview with hiring manager
        • --> Panel interview, with templated note-taking form and scoring rubric

Screening questions are used by recruiting team to help us narrow down the selection pool after initial resume and portfolio review.

Solution

I introduced blind screening questions to reduce bias and learn more than what is shown on resume/portfolio. This helps me see how they think about the world around them and gives me a sense of how they articulate themselves. 

I also created a behavioral panel interview process to bring varied perspectives and quantitative analysis to otherwise qualitative process. Panel members can participate with minimal commitment outside of the interview times.

Impact

  • Reduced bias by anonymizing applicants
  • Increased efficiency within constraints of existing system
  • Panel members can participate with minimal commitment outside of the interview times

Associate Product Designer Worksheet - Used to plan panel interview form. Each responses is immediately graded by panelists, using examples of a very good answer and a very poor answer.

Senior UX Designer Worksheet - Questions and answer examples on this version of the rubric demonstrate higher expectations from candidates with more experience.

UX Researcher Worksheet - When planning for panelists and grading rubric, this role requires different considerations as compared to Product and UX Designers