Understanding Recency Bias and Why it Matters
Being a candidate can sometimes feel unnatural or uncomfortable. Many candidates we speak with are not comfortable pointing out their outcomes and accomplishments during an interview since they perceive this as bragging, which some see as a negative trait. However, highlighting your achievements is essential to demonstrating your skills and qualifications for the role.
Another aspect that can feel unnatural or particularly challenging to candidates is when they are crafting their narrative starting with recent experiences.
In this video, our Product Practice Lead, Heidi Ram, talks about recency bias and why it matters in your job search.
Many candidates prefer to start telling their story from the very beginning, even if it means going back 10, 15, 20 years. However, in an industry as rapidly moving as tech, your most recent experiences are more relevant and impactful for the role you’re interviewing for.
Learning to craft your narrative that is focused on the most recent problems you’ve been solving for is helpful to the person interviewing you. In this way, you can expedite discussions and possibly help the interviewer connect the dots between your experiences and the problem they need someone to solve.
Although it may feel uncomfortable, it is crucial to showcase your achievements and begin your narrative with recent exepriences. By doing so, you can effectively demonstrate your value to the company and significantly enhance your chances of landing the job.
Speaker:
Heidi Ram is the Head of Product Practice at Martyn Bassett Associates. She has been a Recruiter for the company for over 20 years. During that time, she has been instrumental in shaping the evolution of the business, while building high-performing teams for some of the firm’s most valued clients.
Heidi is regarded as a thought leader and trusted advisor in the Toronto Product Management and Design community when it comes to industry insights, recruitment trends, salaries and the current talent landscape.
